BlueQuest partners with OZO Phuket and Amari Phuket for marine wildlife rescue training
Workshop brings together government agencies, businesses and local communities, with incident reporting through the BlueQuest app
BlueQuest, in collaboration with OZO Phuket and Amari Phuket, held a practical workshop on basic rescue techniques for stranded rare marine animals and incident reporting through the BlueQuest app on Friday, 25 September 2026, at OZO Phuket. The initiative aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge, practical skills and readiness to coordinate assistance when encountering stranded marine wildlife.
The workshop received technical expertise and coordination support from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center (Upper Andaman Sea), and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).
Participants included representatives from the Siritharn Marine Endangered Species Rescue Center in Phuket, Thai Whale, Sirinat National Park in Phuket, and Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park in Phang Nga, alongside members of the Ao Tang Khen community, volunteers and local conservation networks.
The programme covered the conservation status and identification of rare marine species, the threats they face, and the role of volunteers in caring for and rehabilitating stranded animals. Sessions also addressed basic rescue principles, assessment of stranded animals, carcass handling and data collection, as well as appropriate coordination with the responsible authorities.
Throughout the workshop, participants from government agencies, businesses, communities and volunteer groups shared their field experience and took part in practical simulations. These exercises covered assessing incidents, planning and carrying out rescue efforts, selecting locally available materials and equipment, and submitting location coordinates, photographs and essential information to help specialist teams assess situations and respond promptly.
The initiative highlighted that rescuing stranded marine wildlife depends on collective action. Scientific knowledge, technology, reliable information and cooperation between government agencies, businesses, communities, volunteers and conservation networks are all essential to turning a sighting into the starting point for an appropriate and timely response.
Another key element of the workshop was the practical application of BlueQuest for incident reporting. Participants tested the app, from accessing the reporting menu and selecting an incident category to identifying a location using GPS, attaching photographs and entering essential details. Reports submitted through the platform support verification and assessment, while helping connect relevant information with the appropriate agencies.
Anyone can begin using BlueQuest by downloading the app and registering an account. To report an incident, users select the relevant category, mark the location, attach photographs and provide details of where and when it occurred, together with a description of the situation.
Complete information, particularly accurate coordinates and clear photographs, can help the relevant agencies verify reports and plan their response more efficiently.
Claire – Narida Charanachitta, the 17-year-old Thai founder of BlueQuest, said: “BlueQuest was developed to do more than provide a channel for reporting environmental issues that people encounter. We want the app to be a centralized data platform that connects people, information and the relevant agencies.
“Users can also access alerts about natural hazards, emergencies and significant events that may affect travel and tourism, as well as useful tourist information on different destinations. BlueQuest makes it easier for everyone to collaborate and take action to protect nature. We believe everyone can play a part in helping for our seas and the environment. A single report, supported by accurate coordinates, photographs and clear details, could help the relevant agencies understand a situation and take timely action.”
Claire added: “This workshop in Phuket marks BlueQuest’s first destination for bringing the app together with learning and practical training alongside local communities. We intend to expand these activities to other coastal areas and marine tourism destinations, including Krabi, Koh Samui and Pattaya, to help communities, volunteers and businesses become better prepared to report incidents and coordinate appropriate assistance for rare marine animals.”
BlueQuest is now available to download on iOS from the App Store and on Android from the Google Play Store. Follow BlueQuest Thailand on Facebook and @bluequest.thailand on Instagram for news, activities and marine conservation stories. Join a growing community of people keeping a watchful eye on our seas and helping protect marine life for the future.
