SOCIETY STORIES

Society Honors Bernie Marcus at Bal de la Mer in Monaco - 2008

The glamorous Principality of Monaco once again provided an enchanting backdrop for the Bal de la Mer and the presentation of the Society’s prestigious SeaKeeper Award to Mr. Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot, and an extraordinary champion for the oceans.

SeaKeeper Award recipient Bernie Marcus (left) and his wife Billie,
with HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, at the SeaKeepers Award Reception.

The yacht show provided the Society with the opportunity to host its inaugural SeaKeepers Soirée Monaco. The Soirée, presented by Corporate Partner OnlyYacht, was held at the incredibly beautiful Maya Bay restaurant. Approximately 150 guests – including several Founding members - enjoyed beautiful food, settings, and live music while mingling with others sharing their same passion of protecting our oceans.The Bal de la Mer is the marine conservation-focused fundraising centerpiece for the annual ShowBoats International Rendezvous in Monaco, which this year celebrated its 19th year in the Principality. Held under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Bal de la Mer charity gala auction, raised significant funds to support research programs led by the International SeaKeepers Society and the Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM).

SeaKeepers’ 3-Star Admirals Don and Rachelle Tomlin and
with Founders Brian and Denise Cobb.

Marcus and his wife Billie personally funded the Georgia Aquarium, the largest marine education and preservation facility in the world. Don Tomlin, SeaKeepers’ board chairman and Three-Star Admiral’s Club member, said “Bernie sets the kind of example that is at the core of our Society’s mission. His leadership shines a bright floodlight onto the looming crisis of the seas and illustrates the kind of successful, thoughtful people who are standing up in defense of our increasingly imperiled oceans.” In accepting the SeaKeeper Award Marcus provided gala guests a heartfelt explanation for his concern for the oceans and praised the important work of the SeaKeepers Society. He concluded his remarks by pledging to join the Society as a Founder.

SeaKeepers’ CEO John Englander (far left) with Chairman and
3-Star Admiral Don Tomlin and new Founders Marilyn and Bob Fisher (right).

Several unique auction items spiced up the evening’s fundraising, including the generous donation by Dockwise Yacht Transport of a one-way transatlantic crossing voucher for a yacht up to 50 meters. The item was won by Bob Schmidt of Florida, for $80,000. Dave and Mary Christensen were winners of another auction item, a diving/snorkeling expedition with renowned ocean scientist and former SeaKeeper Award winner Dr. Sylvia Earle. SeaKeepers’ Founding members were also
big winners: Jerry Pikolysky and Lee Clark won ten nights for four on The World ResidenSea ocean liner (soon to have a SeaKeeper 1000™ system installed aboard!) and Tom Gonzales will soon be headed to Napa Valley to be a judge and contributing editor in Robb Report’s annual “Car of the Year” issue.

Newest Founder Denise Rich, who joined SeaKeepers at the gala,
with Christensen Yachts President Joe Foggia.

Other fundraising highlights of the evening included generous $5,000 donations by gala guests who were asked by CurtCo Media CEO Bill Curtis to “stand up” in support of SeaKeepers. Donations included a matching $35,000 donation by Founder Howard Meyers of Burger Boat Company, and a pledge by Joe Foggia and Dave Christensen to make SeaKeepers monitoring equipment standard on all future Christensen yachts.