While plenty of people are clued in to the importance of conservation these days, where the marine environment is concerned, many yachting enthusiasts are paying particular close attention. That’s why SeaKeepers Professionals, the division of the International SeaKeepers Society that’s comprised of megayacht captains and crewmembers, is hosting an event next month to raise both funds and awareness for marine conservation, protection, and restoration.
Being held September 22 in Monaco, just prior to the Monaco Yacht Show, the inaugural SeaKeepers Soirée intends to help yachting professionals–and make no mistake, captains and crew are indeed professionals–give back to the very things that let them earn a living, that being the oceans of the world. Specifically, funds are needed for the installation of SeaKeeper 1000 climate-monitoring systems. The International SeaKeepers Society is working with research organizations globally to sample regional waters and monitor salinity, carbon dioxide, warming, and changes in marine-life populations. Fifty-five of these systems have been installed since 1999 on merchant and cruise ships, government buoys, a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker, megayachts, and even Dockwise Yacht Transport’s Yacht Express carrier.
Of course, just like many fundraisers, the event will also focus on fun, with cocktails, dinner, and entertainment. The setting will be Maya Bay, an elegant waterfront Japanese restaurant boasting the renowned chef Oliver Streiff.
Tickets are €50 (about $74) for SeaKeepers Professionals members and €100 (about $148) for nonmember yacht crew. Seating is limited to 200 people. Crew can purchase tickets and/or join SeaKeepers Professionals by visiting the Web site.
Even if those captains and crewmembers among you can’t make the event, I urge you to join this worthy organization–and all of you owners to encourage your teams to do the same. If we don’t act as stewards for the water, there’ll be nothing left to treasure.
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