April 10, 2026 – The Board of Directors of The International SeaKeepers Society extends its deepest gratitude to Jay Wade for his exceptional service as Chairman of the Board. During his tenure, Jay provided steady, thoughtful leadership, guiding the organization through a period of growth and evolution while remaining firmly anchored in SeaKeepers’ mission to advance oceanographic research, conservation, and marine education.
A passionate advocate for the yachting and boating community, Jay remained dedicated to the vision of transforming private vessels into platforms for scientific discovery. His commitment to collaboration and innovation expanded SeaKeepers’ global reach and strengthened its role as a bridge between ocean science and the maritime industry.
As SeaKeepers looks to the future, the organization is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Mark Luther as Chairman of the Board – marking a historic milestone as the first scientist to hold this role.
Dr. Luther brings decades of expertise in physical oceanography and maritime systems, along with a lifelong connection to the water. He earned his Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and currently serves as Professor and Director of the Center for Maritime and Port Studies at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science.
With over 30 years of experience supporting oceanographic observation systems, including his longstanding work with NOAA’s Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System, Dr. Luther has been at the forefront of integrating science with real-world maritime operations. His leadership extends across key regional and federal committees, where he collaborates closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, port authorities, and maritime stakeholders to address environmental challenges tied to marine transportation.
A dedicated member of the SeaKeepers community, Dr. Luther has served as Chair of the organization’s Scientific Advisory Council, helping to guide and elevate its scientific initiatives. He is also an avid boater and U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain, having spent more than four decades navigating the waters of Tampa Bay and Florida’s west coast.
“With years of dedicated service to SeaKeepers, Mark brings a deep understanding of our mission to this role,” said Jay Wade. “It is exciting to see him step into the position of Chairman and help guide the organization forward.
Dr. Luther’s appointment signals an exciting new chapter for SeaKeepers – one that deepens the organization’s scientific leadership while continuing to engage the global fleet in meaningful ocean research, education and conservation.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SEAKEEPERS SOCIETY
The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates oceanographic research, conservation, and education through direct involvement with the yachting community. Providing educational resources and hands-on marine science experiences to students is the primary focus for ensuring the wellbeing of our planet. SeaKeepers enables the yachting community to take full advantage of their unique potential to advance marine sciences and raise awareness about global ocean issues.
Founded in Monaco in 1998, The International SeaKeepers Society has been supporting ocean conservation through direct involvement with the yachting community for more than twenty-eight years. What started as a data collection program aboard select luxury yachts, has evolved to engage thousands of participants annually with at-sea and coastal programming. Today SeaKeepers’ mission is focused on the DISCOVERY Program which is comprised of Scientist-Led Expeditions, Citizen Science, Educational Outreach, and Community Engagement.
As a catalyst working with governments, scientists, institutions, and other marine organizations to further its mission, SeaKeepers supports sensible, achievable marine protection and restoration. Activities take place globally through the efforts of headquarters based in the United States with offices located on the east and west coast, and international representation in Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the South Pacific. For more information, please visit www.seakeepers.org.