This week the oars of Marinara are being guided through the water by Anth, Kade and Rex Hunter.

The supply and demand for crew at Melbourne during the 19th century proved problematic, with demand often outstripping supply. From the earliest times of settlement crews have deserted one ship for another, usually with the aid of a middle-man: a crimp. The crimp would entice a crewmember with tales of better money and conditions aboard another ship. The humble sailor, 'Jack Tar' would then fall into a trap where he was plied with alcohol or drugged, finding himself aboard another ship bound for who-know-where, on the same money, less his months advance pay. Rex explores the dark history of crimping at the port of Melbourne during the 19th century.

What does it take to grow a seagrass meadow? Join us as we chat with Deakin University Researcher Laney Callahan about the work being done to restore seagrass in Western Port and why these often-overlooked plants are so important.

And to the deep sea to finish off... some really interesting recent research looking at the role of the deep sea for two things: as a place for carbon from the atmosphere, and where tiny turbulent waves in one part of the deep can impact how climate change is modelled.

Splash splash.