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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

CAPTAINS ADVISORY COUNCIL HOLDS OPENING MEETING
Decision to Restructure SeaKeepers Professionals Membership Initiated

Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA (March 19, 2008) – The International SeaKeepers Society’s inaugural Captains Advisory Council (CAC) recently held its opening meeting in the SeaKeepers offices. During this initial assembly, the CAC established the parameters and expectations of their Council and of SeaKeepers Professionals, as well initiated significant policy changes regarding the donation/due structure for SeaKeepers Professionals. While SeaKeepers Professionals is still open to qualified captains, engineers, and crew for “dues” (voluntary annual donations to support SeaKeepers’ work), a new 3-tier system has been created, along with lower donor expectations.

At the recommendation provided by the new CAC, SeaKeepers Professionals membership will now consist of the Captains Circle ($250 donation/annually), the Officers Club ($150 donation/annually), and the Professional Associate ($50 donation/annually), rather than the original $500/$50 and $150/$25 structure. All current members of SeaKeepers Professionals will have the option of having any surplus donation prorated.

In addition, a novel "boat rate" was set up, where an entire crew can join for a discounted rate. Any yacht in which the entire crew joins will receive a 20 percent discount for everyone onboard. Furthermore, the yacht will receive a custom SeaKeepers Professionals burgee to fly. Board President Jim Gilbert noted, “Yacht crew literally have their eyes on the oceans; their presence provides great reach so it’s important for us to have their participation. Younger crew are yacht-centric, full of team spirit and tend to identify with their boats. This new ‘boat rate’ is a smart solution to involving more crew and to create a real human resource for SeaKeepers.”

As originally structured, SeaKeepers Professionals is open to anyone who has worked on a yacht in a paid category as their primary job for at least three months during the last three years. The Captains Circle still requires a 500 ton license, international equivalent or Y4 or greater engineer’s license.

All members of the CAC participated with enthusiasm, interest and commitment during the assembly. Captain Michael Lovely, who was on charter but participated by conference call, said, “Let me know what I can do from my end…and let's keep that ball rolling towards total awareness of all yachts and their owners.”

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.

The entire crew of M/Y Silver Lining has joined SeaKeepers Professionals,
including Brooke Aretze, Ryan Davie, Brooke Haose and Charlie Clark (left-right).
Photo credit: Jean Vallette

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.