Vessel Donations Program
Eliminate the burden of an unwanted vessel and play a meaningful role in ocean conservation
What Is the Vessel Donation Program?
The International SeaKeepers Society’s Vessel Donation Program offers yacht and boat owners a seamless way to donate their vessels while supporting oceanographic research and marine conservation. As a highly regarded charitable organization, we handle everything from paperwork to boat pickup.
Why Donate a Vessel to SeaKeepers?
The proceeds from your donated vessel go directly toward protecting the sea.
- SeaKeepers is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN: 58-2385869) with over 25 years of experience with yacht donations.
- SeaKeepers undertakes at-sea research, education for the next generations and marine conservation efforts.
- As a leading marine charity, SeaKeepers ensures your donation has a significant environmental impact and may provide substantial tax benefits (see FAQs for more information).
Our programs are endorsed by the United Nations, the World Meteorological Organization, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the US National Weather Service. You can be confident your donation is used to fund sensible, achievable marine protection and restoration initiatives.
Give with confidence: SeaKeepers has an Exceptional rating — the highest rating — for transparency and accountability on Charity Navigator. This rating indicates effective management of donations toward conservation and education programs rather than administrative costs
The Benefits of Donating Your Vessel
In addition to directly supporting marine education and research, donating an unwanted boat or yacht to SeaKeepers eliminates your ownership costs. You will be relieved of the considerable expenses of storage, maintenance, and insurance, as well as the potential liabilities associated with vessel ownership.
Receive Tax Benefits While Funding Ocean Conservation
SeaKeepers is a registered not-for-profit organization, and vessel donations are tax-deductible. Donors can receive significant tax deductions based on the fair market value of their vessel, provided it supports SeaKeepers’ ocean conservation efforts. Donating your vessel may considerably reduce your income tax burden, so we recommend consulting your tax advisor before proceeding.
For more information about the vessel donation program, call +1 786 924 6209 or email us at Donations@SeaKeepers.org. If you’re ready to donate your vessel, click the link below.
What's the Vessel Donation Process?
You can contact SeaKeepers directly or through a broker to donate a vessel. To streamline the process, we prepare all the documentation. We’ll also coordinate with your advisors upon request. Steps in the vessel donation process are as follows:
- Your vessel is assessed to determine if it can be accepted into the donation program. You may be asked for additional information, such as documented improvements to the vessel and a survey.
- You and Seakeepers agree to the terms of the donation and commission through a nonbinding letter of intent (prepared by Seakeepers).
- Seakeepers prepares the required IRS forms to document the gift (IRS Forms 8283 and 1098-C).
- Upon transfer of title, the donation is complete and Seakeepers assumes all responsibility.
Vessel Appraisal
Note that you will need to engage a qualified expert to prepare an appraisal of your vessel. SeaKeepers cannot opine on the value of a vessel for the purposes of a charitable income tax deduction.
Post-Vessel Donation Lease Program
- SeaKeepers holds title to the donated vessel for a minimum of 36-months and upon completion of the intended significant intervening use or material improvements.
- Those interested in leasing a vessel may contact one of Seakeepers’ donation facilitators in order to review the payment and all other terms of the agreement: a three-year term with option to purchase, material improvements, requirement that the lessee be creditworthy and maintain vessel insurance, broker commissions paid on the lease and purchase (if any) based upon the acquisition price, and interest-free payments of 40% down, 40% over the lease term and a 20% purchase option.
SeaKeepers Chapters
The International SeaKeepers Society is a global network actively supporting marine conservation across the world's oceans.
SeaKeepers South Pacific Auckland, New Zealand
SeaKeepers Asia Singapore
SeaKeepers Asia Bangladesh
SeaKeepers United Kingdom London, England
SeaKeepers USA Miami, Florida
Vessel Donation Webinars
You can access our online introductions to the Vessel Donation Program throughout the year. Members of our SeaKeepers team are joined by experts in yacht appraisals and brokerage to cover topics that help you understand:
- The vessel donation process and its benefits
- Vessel appraisals and market versus replacement values
- Domestic and international tax considerations
DISCOVERY Program Results
250+
260+
500+
200+
85k+
6k+
15+
Completed DISCOVERY Projects
Coral Reef Research
- Expected Time Frame: January 2012
- Dry Tortugas, Florida
GENOME SEQUENCING
- Expected Time Frame: January 2014
- Bimini, Bahamas
DRIFTER DESIGN EXPERIMENT
- Expected Time Frame: April 2015
- Miami, Florida
There Are So Many Ways To Help Protect The Ocean.
Whether you’re a vessel owner or simply someone who cares about the future of our planet, there are multiple ways you can make a difference through SeaKeepers. Our various scientific and educational initiatives rely on the generosity of people like you to help ensure future generations can enjoy our oceans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of vessels does the SeaKeepers Vessel Donation Program accept?
All types and sizes of vessels are accepted. The vessel must be seaworthy with all systems functioning. Any major issues noted during the initial survey need to be corrected by the donor.
How long does the vessel donation process take?
The donation closing ordinarily concludes within two months. The vessel must be in good condition, fully seaworthy, with all systems functioning and with no major issues noted during survey unless corrected by the donor.
What are the benefits of donating my vessel to SeaKeepers?
- You will be relieved of the considerable expenses of storage, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation.
- Donations are eligible for an income tax deduction to the fullest extent of the law.
- Donated vessels reduce the donor’s taxable estate for estate tax purposes, without any use of any lifetime or gift tax exemption.
- You will have directly helped to support the health of the oceans.
Would it be advantageous for my company to donate our vessel?
A charitable income tax deduction is permitted for contributions from corporations or other entities, subject to the applicable requirements and limits in the tax law. We would be glad to discuss your particular situation with you or your tax advisor. Call +1 786 924 6209 or email us at Donations@SeaKeepers.org.
Are there federal income tax requirements for vessel donation?
Generally, if you claim a charitable deduction of more than $5,000 for any item of property (other than money or publicly traded securities), you must:
- Obtain a timely qualified appraisal prepared by a qualified appraiser (this appraisal must be attached to the tax return for all claimed deductions in excess of $500,000);
- Attach a fully completed appraisal summary (Form 8283) to the tax return on which you first claim the deduction (SeaKeepers provides this form);
- Obtain a Form 1098-C that confirms the gift with all details required by the tax law (SeaKeepers provides this form); and
- Maintain the foregoing as the records required by IRS regulations to document the gift.
How much can I claim as an income tax deduction?
A donor typically may deduct the fair market value of the vessel, as determined by a qualified appraisal, of up to 30% of the donor’s adjusted gross income with a five-year carryover period with respect to any excess that may be capped in the year of donation.
Those considering vessel donation should consult with their tax advisors. SeaKeepers does not provide tax advice to donors or guarantee the amount of any deduction, which can depend on the particular circumstances of the donor.
What type of acknowledgement will I receive if I donate my vessel?
Individuals or organizations whose vessels support SeaKeepers activities can choose to be recognized at our many SeaKeepers events, in our newsletters, and on this website.
SeaKeepers International Partners
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. The toll-free number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), and the website is FDACS.gov.