Our Expanding Fleet: Three New SeaKeeper Vessels Making Dramatic Global Contributions

Silver Cloud SWATH, A Research Vessel
Founders Alex and Renate Dreyfoos are on an “around the world odyssey,” collecting oceanographic, atmospheric and climate data while they travel - aboard their new Silver Cloud SWATH yacht. The SeaKeepers data is distributed via satellite over the Global Telecommunication System, a network managed by the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization which channels data to 156 member nations’ National Weather Services and to several international organizations that track surface oceanographic data.

The Dreyfoos’ are also tracking their voyage via their “Spot Satellite Personal Tracker,” and many others have been using the “Spot” website to follow along (the Dreyfoos’ entire journey can even be tracked on Google Earth!). Currently the explorers are in Yap Island, Micronesia collecting data near the Philippine Sea. Captain Steve Martin takes particular advantage of the SeaKeeper system by using the incorporated software for his crew’s “logbook entry meteorological info” too.

Founding Members Doug Houghton and Alex Dreyfoos flank new member Richard Beattie aboard Silver Cloud in Vancouver in May.

Yacht Silver Cloud is actually a SWATH - Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull - an innovative concept for smooth service in rough seas, particularly suited for this type of journey. The buoyancy of a SWATH ship is provided by two submarine hulls connected to the upper platform by twin narrow struts from each of the submarine hulls. The idea of SWATH was taken from the principle of semi-submersible offshore rigs, which are designed to provide a working platform with minimized motion in open seas. Silver Cloud (www.yachtsilvercloud.com) was the winner of the Technology Award at the 2009 World Superyacht Awards.

“The Dreyfoos’ ‘odyssey’ is a prime example of the adventurous spirit of our members and their intense passion for our natural world,” says board president Jim Gilbert. “We are proud that they are hosting a SeaKeeper 1000 system on their global crossing.”

Monitoring "Around the Americas"
Working in collaboration with David Rockefeller’s Sailors for the Sea, the “Around the Americas” voyage secured a SeaKeeper 1000TM  monitoring system aboard S/V Ocean Watch for data gathering during its unique mission. “Around the Americas” is a circumnavigation - by 64’ sailboat - of the North and South American continents, bringing audiences in direct contact with ocean conservation issues through scientific observation and evaluation. Their mission is to build awareness of ocean health issues so citizens understand the changes that are occurring at the poles and along our coasts and what they can each do as global citizens to mitigate these changes.

Ten scientists from six institutions have placed a diverse suite of instruments onboard Ocean Watch to collect “datasets of opportunity” throughout the voyage (because of the nature of sailing and to keep to the itinerary, these instruments are used when opportunities present themselves). Scientific projects span topics ranging from polar science and weather to jellyfish populations and ocean acidification (or changing pH levels). The autonomous and compact features of the SeaKeeper 1000™ system made it a logical choice for this journey. Ocean water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen are also automatically monitored.

One of the goals of “Around the Americas” is to provide a platform to communicate the urgency of the issues to the broader public. They are hosting media events at 30 ports of call featuring conversations with scientists and educators discussing the relationship between the larger patterns of global climate change and its impact on local ocean environments. They have even developed “Around the Americas” education materials. Seattle’s Pacific Science Center developed a K-8 Teacher’s Guide and an Informal Educator’s Toolkit for use in classrooms, museums, or at home. Lessons and activities in the materials are designed to enhance youth learning about ocean health, and include topics such as ocean acidification, coral reef ecology, sustainable fisheries, and marine biodiversity. Visit www.aroundtheamericas.org to download the valuable materials for free.

Dr. R. Michael Reynolds, of the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Laboratory, is particularly interested in ocean acidification phenomenon and is using the measurements from the SeaKeeper 1000TM system. Although the accurate measurements from the system are “gratifying,” that is not necessarily good news. According to Dr. Reynolds, “The oceans are becoming more acidic. Not much, just a tiny bit, but it is significant enough to make great changes in sea life. What's more, it is a direct result of increased CO2 in the atmosphere. The message is clear: There is only one way to fix the problem and that is to reduce the CO2 in the atmosphere. The answer is simple, the solution is tough.”

On The World
Thanks to the generosity and endorsement of Founder Edward Lozick, a SeaKeeper 1000™ monitoring device is now traveling aboard The World. The World is a floating community owned by its residents, currently from 40 different countries, which live onboard as the ship circumnavigates the globe — now collecting scientific data as it travels.

With the assistance of management company ResidenSea and Mr. Lozick, the ship’s board of directors approved of the installation and annual support of the SeaKeeper system aboard their private cruise liner. “The SeaKeepers system made perfect sense to us. Our residents place enormous value on the health and beauty of the oceans. The unique design of this system lets our community ‘give back’ continuously, and automatically, while the ship travels the globe. It was an easy decision,” explained Nikki F. Upshaw, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing of ResidenSea.

SeaKeepers’ John Englander had the unique opportunity to travel aboard The World and lecture for its residents about the SeaKeeper 1000™ and, more importantly, about the changes occurring in the oceans. “Residents of The World have a special affinity for the world’s oceans as they essentially live on them,” noted Englander. “Although they learned some frightening facts about the trend of decline in the health of the seas, they were pleased to hear that their ship supported the marine science community with valuable information.”

For information on arranging a lecture on ocean health with John Englander for your organization, please contact info@seakeeepers.org.

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