Captain Planet! The Stuntman Saving Our Seas

The Kiwi actor is clearing the ocean

- Mary Lambie

After 25 years living and working in Los Angeles, Kiwi actor and stuntman Phil Somerville has returned home with his young family – but he didn’t make the 10,500-kilometre trip the conventional way!

Rather than hop on a 13-hour flight, the experienced sailor and keen environmentalist skippered his 54-foot yacht Today from California to Auckland, testing the ocean for plastic pollution along the way.

Joining Phil on board was a marine biologist, a cameraman, and representatives from charity Love the Sea and marine research centre Algalita South Pacific. He also had the support of other sailors, including his good friend and fellow Kiwi actor Martin Henderson.

In the six months since they set off from Marina del Rey in May, Phil and his crew have visited nine island nations, teaching the locals about preserving the environment and helping with beach clean-ups.

“I’ve always been an ocean advocate,” the 48-yearold tells. “I grew up on the ocean, sailing with my dad in New Zealand. It really means a lot to me.”

Using a mantra trawl – a sophisticated, cone-shaped net towed behind a boat – the team discovered plastic debris in more than 80% of samples they took from the sea.

“I honestly did not expect the Pacific to be that full of plastic,” says the shocked seafarer. “It doesn’t hit home until you really see it for yourself, constantly finding plastic particles and microplastics.