SOCIETY STORIES

A Celebration and Few Special Surprises

The SeaKeepers Celebration! was held on the eve of the Fort Lauderdale boat show to commemorate the activation of Nova Southeastern University’s SeaKeeper 1000™ system at Port Everglades, a project underwritten by the members and sponsors of SeaKeepers professionals. The 150-plus attendees, which included many of the premiere captains in the superyacht industry, were treated to a surprise appearance by SeaKeepers’ Board member and renowned environmentalist Jean- Michel Cousteau and entertained by an impromptu live auction.

The celebratory atmosphere flourished on the outdoor patio at Grille 66 & Bar, where guests noshed and toasted while overlooking the marina and the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway. Multi-media screens showed real-time data - on digital gauges, graphs, and dials - as it was being collected from the Port Everglades’ seaKeeper 1000™ system. Another highlight was the spontaneous live auction, which was set into motion when Captains Advisory Council member Bart van der Horst of M/Y Silver Lining decided that a pair of box seat NFL Dolphin tickets, donated by Rybovich, had not been bid high enough. He succeeded in cajoling, begging and teasing his fellow skippers to raise the bid from $200 to $1500.

Guests had the opportunity meet faculty from the recipient university including Dr. Charles Messing, Oceanographic Center Professor, and student Chris Maingot, Research Assistant. A poignant moment of the evening occurred, however, when Mr.  Maingot stood to thank SeaKeepers Professionals for their Contribution to the students of NSU and to explain how the data from the SeaKeeper 1000™ system was being used and why.

Joining the yacht crew professionals at the event were numerous industry leaders, including sponsors Atlass Insurance, National Marine Suppliers, Rybovich, Maritime Professional Training, International Yacht Collection, Island Global Yachting, Dockwise Yacht Transport, Moore & Company, Marsh USA, IMA Yachts and Claire’s Marine Outfitters. Media sponsors included Yachts International, Dockwalk and The Triton. SeaKeepers Professionals is proof that an entire industry can come together as one to make a positive impact on the state of the oceans.

P R O F F E S S I O N A L S   S P O T L I G H T

NSU student and research assistant, Chris Maingot, thanked
SeaKeepers Professionals for their contribution to their
Oceanographic Center. He explained how the data
from the SeaKeeper 1000TM system was being used and why.

Jean-Michel Cousteau and John Englander, Chairman of SeaKeepers
Scientific Advisory Council, take in the commentary of a
next-generationi oceanographic researcher.

(l-r) SeaKeepers Board President Jim Gilbert, Founder
Alfred Balm, Chairman Michael T. Moore, and CAC member
Captain Bart van der Horst of M/Y Silver Lining.

(l-r) Sandy Tews, Captain JeanDiedericks of M/Y Sacajawea,
Angus mackenzie of sponsor IYC, Holly Lord, and
Rob Carron of sponsor Marsh celebrate the
achievement of SeaKeepers Professionals.