Uniting the Yachting, Scientific, and Academic Communities in Restoring Our Oceans.
Founded in Monaco in 1998, The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers) began as a group of yacht owners who realized they shared more than just a passion for yachting and were also concerned about the deteriorating condition of the world’s oceans. The organization‘s initial focus was the development and use of instrumentation on yachts to monitor marine conditions throughout the world’s oceans. Today the primary focus of SeaKeepers’ efforts is the DISCOVERY Yacht Program.
Founded in Monaco in 1998, The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers) began as a group of yacht owners who realized they shared more than just a passion for yachting and were also concerned about the deteriorating condition of the world’s oceans. The organization‘s initial focus was the development and use of instrumentation on yachts to monitor marine conditions throughout the world’s oceans. Today the primary focus of SeaKeepers’ efforts is the DISCOVERY Yacht Program.
DISCOVERY Yachts are privately owned vessels which facilitate programming by providing access to the ocean for Scientist-led Expeditions, Citizen Science trips, Educational Outreach events, and Community Engagement activities. The degree of participation can vary from a 10-minute instrument deployment en route to the next port, to an afternoon outreach trip with children, to week-long expeditions with a team of researchers and scientists. In 2015, SeaKeepers expanded its reach to Asia, focusing on the introduction of marine science and conservation through educational programs for youth. Since its inception, the chapter has engaged 14 schools and participated in over 55 projects. In 2021, SeaKeepers continued its expansion with a footprint in the United Kingdom and Southern France. By developing its mission throughout Europe, an opportunity to participate in the many local yachting communities and involve vessel owners and crew to join the DISCOVERY Yacht Fleet provides enormous potential for growth.
“I want to do something that’s on my terms that I enjoy doing that is a good cause. So, I found SeaKeepers by online searching ‘ocean conservation’, and most organizations I found only ask for money, but SeaKeepers was the only organization I found that you can actually participate and do something meaningful,” says owner of DISCOVERY Yacht Cabrillo, Steve Marcin. “So now I get the best of both worlds; I can use my boat, which I love, while also getting the chance to use it for a good cause and help others that are more schooled in ocean conservation to make my coast a better place.”
Essential to facilitating programming is continually identifying vessels to support conservation and research efforts around the world. In addition to scientific research, Educational Outreach focuses on student populations from kindergarten to high school and provides hands-on experiences aboard vessels. Marine wildlife, sustainability practices, and conservation matters are some of the topics covered in a floating classroom experience. These experiences are also supported by online resources accessible by the public. Since 2015, over 2,700 students have directly benefited from direct engagement and/or the use of SeaKeepers lesson plans, presentations, and other available media. In partnership with marine educators and other non-profits, we provide classrooms and small student groups with in person marine biology field trips or remote virtual experiences with the aid of digital resources.
Like many other non-profit organizations, SeaKeepers primarily relies on donations to operate and facilitate its operations. Through the generosity of donors, support is received with contributions to our specialized fundraising campaigns, attendance at ticketed events, and in-kind donations of vessels to the charity. In working with industry partners, SeaKeepers is able to accept donated vessels that will support ocean conservation, education, and exploration. Donating your vessel can immediately eliminate your ownership cost and considerably reduce your tax burden.
“The yacht donation program at SeaKeepers is a vital component in our mission to protect and restore the world’s oceans,” says SeaKeepers’ Chairman, Jay Wade. “Donations directly fund our scientific and educational programming for ocean conservation. In addition, yacht donations provide donors and yacht brokers with a great alternative to the time and expense involved in selling a vessel. Donors benefit by reducing their carrying costs and obtaining a reasonable tax donation from a safe, reputable charity. Yacht brokers benefit from the ability to help their customers exit yacht ownership quickly and cost-effectively, as well as having access to competitively priced inventory for sale and charter. All of these features combine to create a win-win-win situation for SeaKeepers, donors, and brokers.”
Advocating for the protection of our planet and raising awareness amongst your community can be done from anywhere in the world. SeaKeepers has a strong group of ocean advocates that show their support through joining the Membership Program, attending events, and downloading digital lesson plans. Protecting our resources has never been more critical in preserving our future.
To learn more about how you can join SeaKeepers, please download our application and become a DISCOVERY Vessel or learn more on our website.
