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Media Contact:
Averill Elan Conley
Communications Manager
conley@seakeepers.org
+1 (786) 877-0757 cellular
+1 (954) 766-7100, ext. 123 office

SEAKEEPERS FORM FIRST EVER CAPTAINS ADVISORY COUNCIL

Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA (March 19, 2008) – The International SeaKeepers Society is proud to announce the founding of its first ever Captains Advisory Council (CAC). The Captains Advisory Council will assist with various functions of SeaKeepers Professionals and advise on issues concerning the professional side of yachting in relation to SeaKeeper’ mission and goals. The CAC will develop and help implement ideas to integrate yachts/crew in ocean monitoring and data collection, as well as assist with outreach and membership development. Council members will serve a one-year term and will report to the SeaKeepers Board of Directors annually. The following nine captains compose SeaKeepers’ premier Captains Advisory Council:

Captain Charles Hacker of Aviva - President
Captain Mike O’Neill of Lady Michelle – Vice President
Captain Ken Bracewell of Curt C
Captain JD Ducanes of Mine Games
Captain David Hare of Gran Finale
Captain Ron LePard, formerly of Patriot
Captain Michael Lovely of Katharine
Captain Bart van der Horst of Silver Lining
Captain George Whitehouse, formerly of Floridian

CEO John Englander stated, “These captains were selected for their deep involvement and vast experience in the yachting industry, and for their concern for the health of the world’s oceans. We are very pleased with this Council and look forward to great things.”

Upon accepting his Presidential responsibilities, Captain Charles Hacker shared with his team, “Thank you for your confidence and thank you in advance for your support in the upcoming year…I sincerely look to getting a good foundation in place that can be built upon in the future, as well as some tasks of merit for 2008.”

Vice President Captain Mike O’Neill was pleased with the officer selection, “Charles was one of the first Captains to get involved with SeaKeepers many years ago and is very in tune with the formation and goals of SeaKeepers.” He also shared, “Here's to a new chapter in the SeaKeepers book…if SeaKeepers’ past success is anything to go by, our future looks very exciting.”

Captain Ron LePard was just as enthusiastic, “I am so thrilled to see this group forming.”

About SeaKeepers and SeaKeepers Professionals

The International SeaKeepers Society was founded in 1998 by a small group of yacht owners concerned by the deteriorating condition of the seas. Their initial mission was to develop a monitoring system to install aboard their yachts, providing data to scientists on the health of the world’s oceans. The innovative SeaKeeper 1000TM oceanographic and atmospheric monitoring system has subsequently been deployed in more than 50 locations around the world.

The International SeaKeepers Society recently expanded its ocean-monitoring mission by extending membership to include yacht captains and crew. While SeaKeepers base of support is owners of large yachts, it has become increasingly clear that there is a niche for the professionals of these vessels that travel the oceans of this planet. SeaKeepers is an organization that is extremely relevant to those involved with the sea on a professional basis, and SeaKeepers Professionals is a chance for an entire industry to come together as one to make a positive impact on the state of the oceans.

Upcoming SeaKeepers Professionals events for 2008 include the 2nd Annual SeaKeepers Soirée, which will be held on October 18 prior to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, and the inaugural Monegasque SeaKeepers Soirée, September 22 prior to the Monaco Yacht Show. The SeaKeepers Soirées are anticipated to raise $75,000 in support of SeaKeeper 1000 system installations in appropriate ports of call.

CAC President Captain Charles Hacker of M/Y Aviva (left) with Allison Rutherford and fellow CAC member Captain Ken Bracewell of M/Y Curt-C at the inaugural SeaKeepers Soirée in Fort Lauderdale. Photo credit: Suki Finnerty

For more information, please contact Averill Conley at +1 (954) 766-7100, ext. 123, via email at conley@seakeepers.org or visit www.seakeepers.org.

The International SeaKeepers Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, registered in the United States. Registrations as a charitable organization in other countries are in process.