Ocean Heroes » sailing

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

BILL BAHEN, Sail Nauticus

Jessica Muffett — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 22:11:28 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Bahen is the founder and former director of Hudson River Community Sailing in New York City and now oversees the development of a summer sailing academy and afterschool programs on the Nauticus campus aimed at underserved youth, as well as sailing outings for adults during weekends and evenings. Proceeds from Sail Nauticus programs enable youth, who may not otherwise have the opportunity, develop academic and leadership skills through sailing and maritime sciences.

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

Bahen founded Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS) to serve the urban community of New York City with an emphasis on youth education that provides enriching maritime access through the medium of sailing. HRCS was the first community sailing program able to offer a year of academic after school programming using sailing and boat building as method of teaching. Upon completion of each section of this program, HRCS students earned credit in school in math, science and physical education.

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

Studies of established sailing programs in other port cities have proven that sailing instruction aimed at disadvantaged youth significantly improves academic performance. Sail Nauticus’ major goal is to provide a positive influence for our region’s at-risk youth and community through challenging year-round academic programming in both water- and classroom-based settings.

With more recognition about the program, Mr. Bahen and Nauticus may have the opportunity to promote the program more broadly. Sail Nauticus was able to launch initially thanks to a charitable gift from Mrs. Jane Batten to support operations and programming for three years. Students will learn to sail on Harbor 20 sailboats, fixed keel boats with small motors, which can be safely maneuvered out of the active shipping lanes and into more recreational areas of the river and bay. The Center will also operate the schooner Virginia, and incorporate the tall ship into its STEM-based curriculum and summer camp programming.

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7RskZdmIkI

http://www.sailingmagazine.net/news/features/1062-new-sailorsbig-city

http://insidebiz.com/news/first-person-bill-bahen

http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/525309-sail-nauticus-plans-june-launch-in-virginia

http://www.sailnauticus.org/#!in-the-news/c2c9

Bill Bahen was nominated by Courtney Chalmers of Dominion Marine Media, in the category of Joy of Boating Crusader.

BEHAN & JAMIE GIFFORD, Family Cruisers

Jessica Muffett — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 20:54:03 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

The Gifford family has been at sea with their 3 young children since 2008. They have navigated from Washington State through Mexico to Australia, then from Papua New Guinea to Malaysia, where they are currently. They give cruisers a good name and have encouraged many couples and families, such as ours, to buy a boat and get out there.

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

The Giffords have inspired countless families such as mine to get a boat, take time out of the hurley-burly and go cruise for a year or maybe longer. We will be getting our boating 2014, and the confidence in doing that can be attributed in a major way to the Giffords. Their stories of encounters with other cruisers and with different cultures at their vaarious moorings, demonstrate their compassion, wit, love for family and the importance of being great cruiser ambassadors . Whether it is Jamie setting up an impromptu sewing repair station on a beach in Malaysia for the local residents, or Behan’s finesse when working with local officials to be sure that everyone parts with highest regard for each other, they are leaving lasting impressions that will benefit all cruisers who follow in their wake. They make the dream obtainable, and have encouraged many of us to become cruisers ourselves.

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

To allow them to come in contact with many more people over the next year and continue to promote cruising.

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

Sailing with Totem – A Families Nomadic Journey
Facebook.com/sailingtotem
The Gifford family was nominated by Cheryl Tilly of Sedalia, Colorado, in the Joy of Boating category.

BETSY ALISON, USSailing.org

Jessica Muffett — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 20:00:11 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Betsy Alison has dedicated her life to disabled sailing, and is the Paralympic Coach for the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider, and in 2011 was inducted into the US Sailing Hall of Fame. An amazing woman who has introduced many to the sport of sailing, she is incredibly supportive, encouraging and motivating, an inspiring sailor for all. The Paralympic teams have brought home Olympic medals under her coaching. Her focus is the development of national team athletes in the three Paralympic sailing events in preparation for the 2016 Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and beyond. Betsy is a five-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year and was inducted in the 2011 inaugural class of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. She was twice honored as USOC Coach of the Year 1999 and 2008. Betsy has brought newly injured veterans into the world of boating, sailing, competing, living.

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

Betsy inspires and motivates many, who may otherwise not believe they could even get in a boat, to go way beyond their perceived limits and soar to new heights and abilities. She has helped to build bridges between those with disabilities and those who are able bodied, building a greater sense of community and understanding. Well liked and respected by those who have the privilege to know and work with her, Betsy is a strong and successful coach. The main image shown is of Betsy with with the late John Ross-Duggan, a double Bronze medalist from the Paralympics in Atlanta and Athens.

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

Recognition will help get the word out to many people about the work that Betsy and adaptive.ussailing.org is doing in the sport of disabled sailing. Building more understanding, inspiration and tolerance within a larger community, to see people as people, not as a person with a disability, will help our blue planet be a better place to live.

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

Adaptive Sailing US Sailing

National Sailing Hall of Fame Inductee

http://fairplayinternational.org/cifp/fair-play-award-winners/2010/08/09/684#.UmABr1TD-ic

http://www.abilitymagazine.com/Paralympic-Sailing.html

http://www.bluetoad.com/article/Betsy+Alison+%26+Disabled+Sailors+Teach+One+Another,+On+And+Off+The+Water/1445889/0/article.html, http://www.sosgala.org/homepage/special-guest/

http://www.sosgala.org/homepage/special-guest/

Betsy Allison was nominated by Debra Frenkel of Freedom Waters Foundation.

DIETER PAULMANN & CREW of the Pacific Voyagers

Jessica Muffett — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 19:18:47 +0000

Who is your Hero?

Searching for the best way to convey an urgent message of marine protection, Dieter Paulmann, with his foundation Okeanos Foundation for the Sea, was inspired by Pacific Island culture and their ancient stories of voyaging, to fund a fleet of vaka moanas, or ocean going canoes, to sail across the Pacific as powerful messengers to raise awareness about contemporary threats to the sea.

The result was a fleet of seven vaka moana sailing canoes, sailing as one and crewed from many nations, traveling 20,000 miles to make this world aware of what is happening in our ocean – our planet – our Blue Canoe. The story of this spectacular voyage can best be seen by viewing the trailer of their soon-to-be-released movie, Our Blue Canoe.

All of the crew and team of the Pacific Voyagers are my heroes, and their voyage served only as the jumping off point for other initiatives, including the Island of Hope, a vision for the future where the Pacific is the first fossil fuel-free continent on Earth. The Pacific as a continent is an image adapted from the writings of Le Clézio, where each island is only the emerging peak of a vast, interconnected, undersea continent. Their goal is to protect the ocean by preventing activities that contribute to sea level rise, ocean acidification, warming oceans, over-fishing and reef destruction, as well as preserve tradition for children including myth and story; the values of cooperation and caring; and the old traditions of voyaging, fish farming, canoe building, craftsmanship, art and wisdom about the sea.

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

As founder, chairman, and through the support of his foundation Okeanos Foundation for the Sea, Dieter has made it possible for the voyagers to share their stories along their 20,000 mile voyage to raise awareness, touch hearts, and inspire unity, empowering a movement for change, to create a healthy future for children. Their message is that we are all crew members on this voyage. There are many changes we can make personally and in our own lives to help protect the ocean, and request that we join them in their journey, for each individual action becomes woven into a wider web of collective change.

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

By spreading the word about their journey and foundation, they hope to engage our efforts in their belief that we can only survive if we come together as a culture, as crew mates of our communities, to pursue the health of planet ocean, our Blue Canoe.

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

Pacific Voyagers Foundation

Okeanos – Foundation for the Sea

Paddle Silently Through the Water, Navigating by the Stars, Seven Crews Sail Across the Pacific, Our Blue Canoe – The Film, coming soon to a theatre near you

Dieter Paulmann was nominated by Curley Carswell of Princeville, Hawaii, in the category Defending our Ocean.

MICHAEL T MOORE, Seakeepers.org

Jessica Muffett — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:19:35 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Michael Moore is chairman of The International SeaKeepers Society, an integral pillar of YachtWorld Foundation, which became YachtWorld Heroes. Early on as we searched for a cause and road to reward our beneficiary, Michael suggested we look at ocean advocacy and use the power of YachtWorld’s reach to promote the recipient’s cause.

Invited to their events, meeting so many others involved in ocean advocacy, learning about the warnings about poor ocean health from incredibly diverse sources, it became clear that Michael’s inclusiveness – as his tenure as chair – had expanded Seakeepers’ message’s reach to many, many people in two short years. Inspired by Michael’s example of inclusiveness, we decided to expand our recognition to many – thus was born YachtWorld Heroes.

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

Lead by their chair Michael Moore, The International SeaKeepers Society members include influential opinion leaders who believe that the best way to protect the environment is to protect the world’s oceans, and whose members are deeply committed to finding real-world solutions to the problems now plaguing our seas. SeaKeepers works directly with the yachting community as an essential component and contributor to ocean research and conservation efforts, enabling the yachting community to take full advantage of their unique potential to advance marine sciences and to raise awareness about global ocean issues. SeaKeepers 100+ DISCOVERY Yachts augment current knowledge about the state of the oceans, rouse significant scientific discovery, raise awareness about critical ocean issues and inspire a passion for the seas.

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

A YachtWorld Hero provides recognition to individuals, and we hope there are those who will become involved in SeaKeepers as much for their vision as for Michael’s leadership.

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

The International SeaKeepers Society www.seakeepers.org

Michael T. Moore was nominated by Jessica Stewart Muffett, Founder, YachtWorld.com, in the category Defending our Oceans.

Mark Schrader of Around the Americas

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:30:13 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Mark Schrader of Around the Americas lives his message that our oceans need help. Humans are creating enormous and potentially disastrous problems for fragile marine ecosystems upon which we, as humans, are utterly dependent. The relationships are simple – if we don’t take care of the ocean, the ocean won’t take care of us. Those who use and enjoy the ocean should be the leaders in marine conservation and education. After two single-handed circumnavigations of the world, Mark has seen widespread, destructive changes to the ocean environment – and he decided to do something to focus more attention on the problems.

How has your nominee made a difference for the better?

As Project Director and Captain, Mark developed the Around the Americas project. He brought together a committed team of sailors, scientists, teachers and conservationists – outfitted the 64’ S/V Ocean Watch and launched the 28,000 nautical mile circumnavigation of the Americas. With multiple agendas of creating wider awareness about the state of our ocean; collecting scientific data; recording images and stories and sharing this information for educational purposes, Mark and his AtA crew focused international attention on important and urgent ocean-health issues.

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominees cause?

Going forward, the true challenge for Mark and the Around the Americas team will be finding meaningful ways to inspire and engage the public in a call to action. The job is straightforward: to help citizens and communities understand the threats to our oceans and to prove through our research and example that individuals can truly make a difference. Spreading the lessons of the AtA expedition is a very important part of the mission, and being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero will help further the education agenda.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities. The website for the ATA project, www.AroundtheAmericas.org has stories, articles, images and research information from the voyage. Cruising World Magazine wrote published five feature articles about the voyage the recently released book, One Island, One Ocean, written by Herb McCormick and published by Weldon-Owen, tells the Around the Americas story with beautiful images and words.

Mark was nominated by Bonnie Robertson, Executive Director of the Northwest Yacht Brokers Association