Ocean Heroes » adventurer

DAVID ROCKEFELLER Jr, Founder, Sailors for the Sea

Jessica Muffett — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:24:11 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Sailors for the Sea, which “educates and engages the boating community in the worldwide protection of the oceans,” was the outcome of David Rockefeller’s work on the Pew Oceans Commission, which identified profound and alarming ocean health issues. As an avid sailor with a life-long love of the ocean and a philanthropist with a keen interest in environmental issues, David envisioned an organization that would educate the boating community about these ocean health issues and lead boaters to protect the waters we all love.

How has your Nominees efforts made a difference for the better?

Their flagship programs – Clean Regattas, Rainy Day Kits, and Certified Sea Friendly – directly engage boaters in fulfilling their vision. Their Ocean Watch Essays, are monthly articles that discuss current ocean health issues with with opportunities to take action. Their Clean Boating section lists steps boaters can take to reduce their environmental impact. Their link library of non profit organizations dedicated to a specific realm of conservation are proudly promoted here.

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause?

YachtWorld’s access to the recreational boater will engage the boating community in the worldwide protection of the oceans.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities.

David Rockefeller, Jr. receives award for 2013 YachtWorld Hero from Ian Atkins, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Dominion Marine Media

http://www.yachtworld.com/boat-content/2014/02/a-man-for-all-seas-david-rockefeller-jr-is-the-yachtworld-hero-for-2013/

http://blog.boats.com/2014/02/david-rockefeller-jr-wins-yachtworld-hero-award/#.UvzwpnlYkmw

http://youtu.be/YnkZU13vtu0

http://vimeo.com/85969720

Sailorsforthesea.org

Facebook.com/SailorsfortheSea

Twitter.com/SailorsforSea

David Rockefeller, Jr. was nominated by John Burnham, of Dominion Marine Media in the category of Defending our Oceans.

Matt Rutherford, Ocean Research Project

Jessica Muffett — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 23:07:48 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

In 2012, Matt Rutherford became the first person to solo circumnavigate North and South America. He completed the non-stop 27,000 mile journey in 10 months in a tiny, old sailboat. Solotheamericas.org

Matt has embarked on a new project, oceanresearchproject.org, that aims to make ocean research more affordable. The typical running costs for scientific research in the open ocean is between $6,000 and $15,000 a day, depending on the organization. With Ocean Research Project they have a daily running cost of $112 a day.

Together with scientist Nicole Trenholm, Matt completed the Atlantic Garbage patch expedition on August 15, 2013. They spent 80 days at sea collecting data at 40 survey sites over 2,600 miles of the mid-Atlantic, sending some of the samples to the University of Japan for toxicity research and others to a lab to check the plastic for bacteria which shouldn’t be there. They are also quantifying the data to see just how much of this plastic is out there. They shot footage during the expedition and are creating a educational based adventure documentary. Next they will create a 3 day lesson plan, which will be interrogated into the Maryland public school system teaching thousands of 5th to 7th graders about the problems of plastics in the ocean. On April 1, 2014 they are leaving on another expedition – sailing from California to Japan non-stop doing marine radiation testing, filming the expedition, and repeating the education process. “We’re living in a changing economic environment; you can no longer think big boats, big crew, big budget. Instead, a non-profit should think small boat, small crew, small budget. By doing this, you not only reduce the cost of the expedition, but also the overhead.”

How has your Nominees efforts made a difference for the better?

Matt has already proven that he does what he sets out to do with his solo circumnavigation of the world. During the upcoming first of three new expeditions, Matt and his crew will be at sea for 75 days collecting data, while sailing 6,500 miles of the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean is home to the Atlantic Garbage Patch and coincides with one of the five major oceanic gyres. The Sargasso Sea Gyre is a huge spiral of seawater formed by colliding currents. Most offshore sailors have seen floating junk on the high seas, but it’s a problem that has not been thoroughly explored in the mid-Atlantic. It’s the poster child for one of the worldwide ocean problems: plastic that’s initially created with human hands, then ends up in the ocean, often found inside animals’ stomachs.

“I caught the bug and it’s too deeply imbedded to stop. Since I’m going to keep sailing I might as well do it in a way that gives back to the sea.”

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause?

The YachtWorld Hero nomination will bring visibility to Ocean Research Project, which aims to make ocean research more affordable. It will provide scientific data and education about the changes within our oceans to inspire people to action. Equipped with a team of expert scientists and sailors, they will embark on expeditions to some of the world’s most dynamic parts of the ocean. The expeditions will be carried out on a sailboat which is outfitted in a manner conscious of economical practicality yet environmentally-friendly to perform as a mobile research and observation station. Their scientific data and audiovisual educational mediums are used for several purposes.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities.

http://oceanresearchproject.org

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lesleyann-coker/matt-rutherford-sailing_b_3306143.html

Matt Rutherford was nominated by Tim Claxton of Dominion Marine Media in the category of Defending our Oceans.

JEANNE SOCRATES, 3X Circumnavigator

Jessica Muffett — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 20:08:08 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

This year Jeanne Socrates completed a singlehanded, nonstop circumnavigation at age 70. This was after another two previous circumnavigations met unfortunate ends. Her first ended in a beaching and loss of her boat and during the second she was badly knocked down off Cape Horn and encountered major problems with repairs, but managed to regroup and start again, finally circumnavigating around all Five Great Capes on her way to re-starting her nonstop attempt. Her achievement proves what most of us know, perseverance is paramount in everything. It also proved what not everyone knows, that age and gender need not get in the way of that kind of remarkable physical challenge. photo credit: YACHT/Kevin Light

How has your Nominees efforts made a difference for the better?

There is nothing better for encouraging people than to give them a hero. Joshua Slocum, Sir Francis Chichester, Eric and Susan Hiscock and others have inspired countless people not just to sail, but to tackle amazing challenges. Taking up singlehanded sailing at an age when many people are looking for a retirement home sets a tremendous example for people of all ages.

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause?

For Socrates’ amazing achievements, it’s surprising she has not gotten more recognition, especially in the U.S. She is open and eager to talk and share her story, and has a schedule of speaking engagements lined up. Many more people should hear her story and be inspired.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities.

http://www.svnereida.com/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2362101/Jeanne-Socrates-70-oldest-woman-sail-solo-round-world-non-stop.html

P052-056_YAM_JUN13-1

Jeanne Socrates was nominated by Kurt M. Hoehne, Navigator at nwyachting.com in the category of Joy of Boating Crusader.

photo image YACHT/Kevin Light

Capt. Alexia Barrier, Yachtswoman, Solo-circumnavigator, Educator, Ocean advocate

Jessica Muffett — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:25:53 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Capt. Alexia Barrier founded the ocean research program “4myplanet” which saw her commission and sail a 60 foot sailing yacht around the world single-handedly, while gathering ocean status data and educating school children worldwide via satellite podcasts and in person along the way. Alexia was supported in this endeavor by many Monaco-based ocean groups and was named to the Honorary Host Committee SeaKeepers Bal de la Mer, 2012.

Science: As an ambassador of oceanographic research, Alexia promotes the use of scientific instruments and ARVOR profilers to the superyacht industry to collect ocean data. The systems automatically send the data to a database which is made available for free to scientists and school children around the world.

Environment: As an ambassador for the green yachting industry, Alexia works with Dragon Kraft Company building a Green sail boat using bio resins and coating products, and is working on energy systems for a new generation of a hydrogenerator.

Adventure: The next singlehanded racing project is the Vendee Globe 2016, a race around the world singlehanded without stopover, without assistance.

Education: Alexia shares her passion of the ocean with children and teaches them how the oceans are precious for life. In 2014, a boat will be engaged in Cape to Rio Race with a crew of young sailors from South Africa, Brasil and Europe – the first leg of the 4myplanet Tour.

How has your nominee’s efforts made a difference for the better?

Adventurer, inspirer, educator, and researcher, Capt. Alexia Barrier carries the message of ocean advocacy to people around the world – sailing the high seas is her platform.

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause?

Captain Barrier is very well known in Monaco, France, and elite sailing circles, and is less well known throughout the world – a spotlight as a YachtWorld Hero will introduce her to recreational boaters and the yachting industry around the world.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities.

4myplanet.eu

Alexia Barrier was nominated by Robert Calcagno, CEO of Oceanographic Institute in France and Monaco, of the Foundation Albert the 1st Prince of Monaco.

Jean Michel Cousteau, Ocean Futures Society

Jessica Muffett — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:17:11 +0000

Since first being “thrown overboard” by his father at the age of seven with newly invented SCUBA gear on his back, Jean-Michel has been exploring the ocean realm. The son of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, Jean-Michel has investigated the world’s oceans aboard Calypso and Alcyone for much of his life. Honoring his heritage, Jean-Michel founded Ocean Futures Society in 1999 to carry on this pioneering work. Ocean Futures Society, a non-profit marine conservation and education organization, serves as a “Voice for the Ocean” by communicating in all media the critical bond between people and the sea and the importance of wise environmental policy. As Ocean Future’s spokesman, Jean-Michel serves as an impassioned diplomat for the environment, reaching out to the public through a variety of media.

He has produced over 80 films, received the Emmy, the Peabody Award, the 7 d’Or, and the Cable Ace Award. In 1989, he became a syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times where his articles appeared in over sixty newspapers worldwide. Reaching millions of people globally through Ocean Futures Society, Jean-Michel continues to produce environmentally oriented adventure programs and television specials, public service announcements, multi-media programs for schools, web-based marine content, books, articles for magazines, newspaper columns, and public lectures.

In 2006, Jean-Michel’s initiative to protect the Northwest Hawaiian Islands took him to The White House where he screened his PBS-KQED documentary, Voyage to Kure, for President George W. Bush. The President was inspired and in June 2006, he declared the 1,200-mile chain of islands a Marine National Monument—at the time; the largest marine protected areas in the world.

As Chairman of the Board and President of Ocean Futures Society, Jean-Michel travels the world, meeting with leaders and policymakers at the grassroots level and at the highest echelons of government and business. He is dedicated to educating young people, documenting stories of change and hope, and lending his reputation and support to energize alliances for positive change.

How has your nominee’s efforts made a difference for the better?

Explorer. Environmentalist. Educator. Film Producer. For more than four decades, Jean-Michel Cousteau has dedicated himself and his vast experience to communicate to people of all nations and generations his love and concern for our water planet.

How will being reognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause?

More exposure to Ocean Futures Society furthers their mission to explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean’s vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities.

http://www.oceanfutures.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIl7zl_9fTA
http://www.pbs.org/kqed/oceanadventures/

Jean Michael Cousteau was nominated by Patricia Riley, Community Leader, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.