how it works
our process
Tell us about your project
Send us a simple email with what you're hoping to accomplish, where the work will take place, and how many people, crew, gear, and supplies you need to bring. It doesn't need to be fancy — we just need enough to understand what you have in mind.
Talk it through
Hop on a call with the MendoNoma Marine crew. We'll talk through your project, vessel needs, location, logistics, and safety considerations to make sure we're the right fit.
Get it on the calendar
Put down a refundable deposit, which goes towards your total trip cost, and choose your dates. That might mean a single day on the water, several days, or weeks of recurring fieldwork. We'll build the right schedule around the project.
Prep for the water
About 24–72 hours before your trip, we'll connect for final planning, including weather and conditions, meeting location, gear, safety, waiver, and anything else we need to make the day run smoothly. Check out how to prepare here.
Do the work
Time to get on the water! We provide the vessel and capable crew so you can focus on the research, monitoring, restoration, or other work you came to accomplish.
Wrap it up
We'll send your final invoice after the work is complete, with final payment due within two weeks.
trip requirements
If your project involves research, wildlife, sampling, diving, or another regulated activity, you're responsible for obtaining the appropriate permits and authorizations before we leave the dock (e.g., NOAA/NMFS marine mammal research permit, FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for drone operations, Scientific Collecting Permit, or other project-specific permits).
Your MendoNoma Marine client agreement and participant waiver also need to be completed before departure.
FAQs
How long does this process take?
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Depending on the project, we can go from your first email to working together on the water in as little as one week. For larger, multi-day, or recurring projects, we're happy to plan farther in advance.
We want changing plans to be as painless as possible. Cancel at least 72 hours before your trip for any reason and we'll refund your deposit. If you cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled trip, you'll lose your deposit, but you won't be charged the planned trip rate. If weather or ocean conditions make the work unsafe, we'll reschedule, and your deposit moves with you to your next trip. You don't lose it because we made the call to stay at the dock. We're serious about safety, and we never want money to be the reason someone feels pressured to go out on the water.
What happens if the weather changes or I need to cancel?
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We've got you covered. Before your trip, we'll send you our Pre-Trip Guide with everything you need to know, from what to wear and bring to meeting logistics, safety, gear, and what to expect aboard our very small (but mighty!) boat.
How do I prepare, and what should I expect on the water?
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Ready to start the process?
Tell us about your project & we'll take it from there.