Working together to restore and protect the World's Oceans
INDUSTRY RALLIED BEHIND SEAKEEPERS PROFESSIONALS
SeaKeepers Soirée Showcased Professional Support
for Marine Conservation
The sea became a little healthier on October 20 thanks to the inaugural SeaKeepers Soirée held to launch a new yacht crew membership category of the International SeaKeepers Society, the SeaKeepers Professionals. Held at the Blue Moon Fish Company, the SeaKeepers Soirée attracted close to 150 attendees to support SeaKeepers, a non-profit organization committed to helping scientists and global resource managers obtain the critical data they need to understand the causes and the solutions to the seas’ decline. Nearly $70,000 was raised in sponsorships, memberships and ticket sales. Proceeds from the evening will be used to commission a SeaKeeper 1000™ monitoring system to be installed in the Fort Lauderdale Inlet in conjunction with the Oceanographic Center at Nova Southeastern University (NSU).
Board President Jim Gilbert, CEO John Englander, and Dr. Richard Dodge, Dean of the Oceanographic Center at NSU, all spoke eloquently about the need to gather more data to protect our oceans. In a heartfelt speech addressed to captains and crew, Mr. Gilbert explained the impetus behind SeaKeepers Professionals: “Nobody is more aware of the seas’ beauty and the abuses than you. No one is better positioned than professional yacht crew to spread our message. SeaKeepers is the only marine conservation non-profit organization that was built by the yacht industry, from the keel up. We are here to save the sea, one yacht at a time.”
Key sponsors included AIG Private Client Group, Dockwise Yacht Transport, International Yacht Collection, Island Global Yachting, Atlass Insurance, Murray & Associates, and Quantum Stabilizers. Media sponsors included Boat International USA, Dockwalk, The Triton and Yachting Magazine. Communications Director Averill Conley expressed appreciation for all the support. “It was incredible how the industry rallied behind this event,” she said. “We had so much support, beyond just financial. Everyone truly embraced this idea. We are very pleased.”
The International SeaKeepers Society recently expanded its ocean-monitoring mission by extending membership to include yacht captains and crew. CEO John Englander explained, “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 a cause that is extremely relevant to those involved with the sea on a professional basis. 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. With the support of yacht crew, we believe the yachting industry can truly make a difference.”
Guests were treated to cocktails, hors d’ouevres, an exquisite menu consisting of lobster and tenderloin, dancing, and fantastic raffle items such as tickets to the Miami Dolphins/New England Patriots football game and a $1,000 gift certificate from Global Marine Travel. The evening’s fundraising was highlighted by an inspired donation of $10,000 by Larry Acheson of TowBoatU.S.
Saturday’s SeaKeepers Soirée, which will be held annually prior to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, will be replicated this coming winter in St. Maarten and next September in Monaco, to support the installation of a SeaKeeper 1000 monitoring station in appropriate ports of call. 
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