ZOLEO Protects Conservation Teams on Remote Rathlin Island
Overview
The LIFE Raft project, a multi-partner initiative led by the Rathlin Development & Community Association and RSPB Northern Ireland, focuses on protecting seabird populations on Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland. The seabirds are threatened by non-native rats that have been eating seabird eggs and chicks. To address these issues, the LIFE Raft project turned to ZOLEO for reliable off-grid communication and safety solutions. The project involves 17 full-time fieldwork staff and seasonal workers dedicated to safeguarding the island's vital ecotourism and seabird populations.
Without ZOLEO we would have struggled to respond in case of emergencies, or be alerted if anything was wrong.
Michael Rafferty
LIFE Raft Fieldwork Manager
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Connect with an ExpertChallenge
Operating on Rathlin Island, field crews frequently faced serious communication barriers while deploying traps and monitoring seabird habitats in rugged, hazardous terrain. Safety risks escalated when teams worked alone on cliffs, in coastal zones, or across dense island vegetation.
Key Challenges:
- Teams operated with no cellular signal and unreliable contact methods across the island
- Daily check-ins were inconsistent or delayed due to lack of real-time tools
- Fieldworkers were vulnerable when out of contact in dangerous locations
- Managers couldn’t confirm safety status or respond quickly to issues in the field
Previously, project leads had no way to reliably track or communicate with staff in isolated areas — risking both team safety and project coordination. The LIFE Raft Project needed a practical, off-grid communication solution to safeguard field teams and keep operations on track.
Solutions
Each team member was equipped with a ZOLEO satellite communicator. Once trained, they used the ZOLEO device and app to stay connected with project managers throughout fieldwork, enabling daily check-ins and rapid response in emergencies.
Key Benefits:
- SOS feature added a critical layer of emergency protection
- Location Share+ let managers monitor staff safety in real time
- Daily check-ins streamlined with a simple app and familiar interface
- Even non-technical staff adapted quickly due to user-friendly design
- Coverage and reliability improved across the island's rugged terrain
Outcome
In the demanding environment of Rathlin Island, the reliability and ease of use of ZOLEO have become vital for keeping the LIFE Raft project team safe and connected. "Rathlin is a beautiful, remote island with steep cliffs and undulating hills. That rugged landscape does present its challenges to the team working in the field, however, and their safety is the most important consideration," says Rafferty. With 23 new team members joining the rat eradication efforts, ZOLEO devices will play an even more critical role in ensuring everyone's safety and whereabouts.
These devices have provided a way forward in this complex, fast-moving project.
Michael Rafferty
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