Sustainable Crossings

Creative Fellow: Johnny Mitchell
Co-Investigator: Dr Wes Forsythe

Challenge

This Creative Fellowship addresses the challenge by using images to highlight the importance of marine traffic to an island. Rathlin Island relies on ferry transport for essential travel, tourism, and trade, yet current operations contribute significantly to local carbon emissions. There is limited awareness of alternative, sustainable ferry solutions and little accessible, visual documentation of the ferry’s environmental impact or the community’s relationship with maritime life.

Approach

The project employs photography and visual storytelling to capture the rhythms of daily ferry operations, maritime activity, and the island’s fishing heritage. By visually exploring the current ferry vessels and the wider seascape, the work invites audiences to consider the role of ferry transport in island life and its environmental implications. Through image-making and narrative framing, the project prompts reflection on the need for greener alternatives and highlights the cultural and ecological importance of sustainable maritime connections.

Outcomes

Outcomes include:

• A curated photographic collection capturing ferry life, community activity, and environmental context
• Public exhibition and high-quality print materials
• Social media campaign to engage wider audiences
• Increased visibility of ferry-related sustainability issues across local and policy spheres

Learnings

The project fosters education on carbon reduction and island life, celebrating the islands maritime heritage. It highlights the lifeline that the ferry is, and the heritage associated with maritime travel. It also creates a lasting legacy through images, connecting travel, water and tradition.

Impact

This project explores the vital role of the ferry service in island life, illuminating its cultural, environmental, and social significance. By documenting maritime traditions, it contributes to the preservation of local heritage while also envisioning a low-carbon future for sea transport. These images are intended to spark dialogue, inform public understanding, and influence future policy and planning around sustainable vessel development.