Sea Cleaners — Athena Rhodes

I think I had lost my foot, I thought madly. There had been a loud slurping noise and my foot had sunk deeper into the mud. I looked down and all I could see was brown gooey mud and lots of it. I heaved with all my might, and pop…..I had my foot again. Hello, my old friend. You may be wondering why I was getting down and dirty well it was because I was a woman with a mission, mud be damned. This mission was to pick up rubbish along Auckland’s waterways. And the group that I had ventured out with to complete this mission, was Sea Cleaners. Sea Cleaners is a non-profit with a passion for preserving the coastlines of New Zealand by ridding of the coasts and waterways of rubbish.

I ventured out one brisk Friday morning to help out and it was quite the adventure. I did not know what to expect to be honest. I had done a little research before going. As is my way, the girl who loves to research. And from what I saw from previous outing pictures, it was going to get muddy. I was okay with that.

We got dropped off on a muddy marsh, with the motorway right over our heads. The boat became closer to the slippery rocks and the captain told us to get off quickly but safety. I scrambled my way along, doing a kind of crab-walk from the boat’s bow. It was very dignified. Armed with many blue rubbish plastic bags, we were off to tackle the dirty underbelly of Auckland.

We were told to pick up anything that was not dangerous, so no broken glass, no needles etc. As we made our way over the rocks, we searched crevices and nooks and found a lot of rubbish. Shaking my head at the state of humanity today, I continued on my way heaving my rubbish bag over my shoulder while continuing to crab walk along the rocks in a dignified manner.

The captain marched past and said may as well get off the rocks and in the muddy marshes now, because we were going to get muddy either way.

You know how when you are going to jump into ice cold water, and you just want to get it over with and be cold and wet but at least you do not have that heart racing anticipation anymore. That is how I felt about the mud. Once, I jumped in I would be dirty. But, once I am dirty, their was no worrying about getting little specks of mud on my pants, or wet socks, because I would be hundred percent dirty already and I would not be able to get any dirtier.

So, I took the plunge. First I felt that tell tell feeling of wet socks. One of the worst feelings, complete with nails down a blackboard and a fork clanking against your teeth. Next was my entire foot and then my legs. But, it was done.

Time to collect more rubbish I thought. We made our way across the desolate marshland. The only other companion being the scuttling crabs , who made a mad dash to their hidey holes whenever I came stomping along. Or I suppose sloshing along. These sounds, the scuttling crabs and the the sloshing mud became the soundtrack to my morning cleaning Auckland’s backyard.

I was shocked at the amount of rubbish I found hidden along the mangroves. From a water-can to a tyre, a bottle filled with something that looked scarily like pee, to windscreen of a car. The other girl who was here with me, said that she had found a used condom. Whoever got turned on by the sight of mud and crabs, was a strange individual, I thought.

**Half a number plate that i found in the mangroves. .**

The lady who was volunteering with me began to experience dampened spirits. She was muddy and her socks were wet. But we began a mantra, every plastic picked up is a turtle saved. It helped lift our mud covered spirits.

The leader of the group yelled out that it was time to call it a day. We all grabbed the rubbish bags we had collected through the walk, one guy fashioned a stick thing which he slung over his shoulder and tied two bags on either ends. It was genius. I had found a watering can filled with mud, who knows why this was out here in the marshes but I was determined to carry it back. I soon learnt i have the upper body strength of a noodle, as I heaved that goddamn watering can, or I suppose mud can back to the boat. Someone later helped me by smashing the mud out of it. If anyone is ever in need of some release of emotion time, i would recommend this activity. After a few selfies next to our rubbish, sporting a tired grin and a kiwi choice as thumbs up we were on our way home.

We had someone waiting for us, as we arrived back at the marina. A leopard seal sunning its self on the marina. The best kind of welcome home party a girl could ask for really.

I had a great time out with Sea Cleaners. It always makes your heart feel great when you get to help out the Earth in some way. A lot of people have the idea that their help will not matter. It is but a drop in a bucket. Well, I truely believe that change will only happen through the actions of the many. So, let’s change this planet.

The details:

What: Sea cleaners.

How can you help: Flick them a message on their website. You can jump aboard one of their vessels, there are three in Auckland and one in Northland. The boats leave at 7am and arrive back at around 2pm. More details will be messaged to you once you make contact.

Things to remember: Bring lots of water. And food. Wear clothes that you do not mind getting muddy. Have fun.

You can also help out by donating money to them.

Where to find out more: https://seacleaners.com/