Ocean Heroes » YachtWorld Hero

JILL SAVERY, Head of Sustainability, America’s Cup Authority

Jessica Muffett — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 22:15:03 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Jill Savery, Head of Sustainability, America’s Cup Event Authority, recently succeeded at making the 34th America’s Cup a sustainable event, setting the standard for all future America’s Cup events and other marine-related events worldwide. Jill is a Gold Medal Olympian (1996 Synchronized Swimming), earned a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from Yale University, and leveraged both experiences to put her in the position she’s in today.

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

She was responsible for making the event zero waste, carbon neutral and environmentally sustainable. For example, she and her colleagues kept event waste largely out of landfills (85% diversion rate) and plastics out of the San Francisco Bay (no single use plastics were sold or distributed by the organizers). Most of all, Savery has made environmental responsibility integral to the sport of big-time sailing, which, if one thinks about it, it should be.

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

Savery is on the leading edge of a vital trend: World sporting events and large corporations are gradually becoming the vanguard in sustainability programs. More and more these are genuine efforts, and because of their notoriety can have an impact that few governments or environmental groups can match.

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

http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18544/34th-americas-cup-earns-highest-level-clean-regattas-certification

http://www.csrwire.com/blog/posts/1049-saving-the-oceans-are-ocean-conservation-efforts-finally-starting-to-make-headway

http://www.americascup.com/en/sustainability

http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/images/stories/web/releases/sailors1023.pdf

Jill Savery was nominated by Kurt M. Hoehne, Navigator at nwyachting.com in the category Defending our Oceans.

Celine Cousteau, Ocean Inspirations, Explorer, Communicator, Connector

Jessica Muffett — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:10:27 +0000

Who is Your Hero? Celine Cousteau is the founder of CauseCenric Productions and Ocean Inspirations, which support the global sharing of stories regarding endangered ecosystems. Her work supports everyday heroes in the fight to protect our fragile planet, by creating a visual communication tool in the form of micro and short documentaries.

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

Celene Cousteau explores the world, communicates stories, and connects humans with their environment. She collaborates with other non-profits and individuals to increase their world-wide exposure by creating short documentaries about their work, educating and inspiring through adventure and visual story telling. Her project Ocean Inspiration shares, recognizes and rewards the achievements of ocean advocacy in any and all of its forms.

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

Celine Costeau is, of course, a member of the First Family of Ocean Advocacy. Her late Grandfather, the legendary Jacques remains the standard by which all who follow are measured. Her father, Jean Michel, himself a recipient of the International SeaKeepers Society’s Award, and a YachtWorld Hero, has continued with a broad base of important work in ocean advocacy. SeaKeepers was honored in 2012 to have Celine Costeau on the committee of 42 of the world’s most renown female ocean advocates to honor another servant of science – Agnes b. who is also known for her work with Tara Marine Expeditions. God Bless Yachtworld Heroes for recognizing Celine Costeau and her work to understand and protect our fragile ocean ecosystems.

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

Celine Cousteau

Ocean Inspirations

Celine Cousteau was nominated by Michael Moore, Chair, The International SeaKeepers Society.

Deborah Kinder, Documentary Filmmaker, Founder/CEO BLUE Ocean Film Festival

Jessica Muffett — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:27:29 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Debora Kinder, an award winning documentary filmmaker, is the Founder and CEO of the BLUE Ocean FIlm Festival and Conservation Event. She is co-founder of BLUE’s parent non-profit organization, Make a Difference Media. Writer and conservationist, Debora brings together the ocean filmmaking community, scientists devoted to the oceans, and deep sea film buffs.

In September 2012 the International SeaKeepers Society was pleased to have Deborah Kinder on a committee of 42 remarkable women, all renowned for their work in yachting and ocean advocacy. By serving on this Committee of Peers Deborah Kinder, continued her work known for bringing light to the world’s most important environmental movement – protecting the oceans. On a magical night in Monaco, Ms. Kinder did this by honoring a woman known to the fashion world as “Agnes b.’ but in the world of ocean advocacy she is less known as the benefactor of Tara Marine Expeditions and its scientific research vessel known as TARA. SeaKeepers everywhere greatly admire remarkable women like Deborah Kinder who through there selflessness also honor others. It goes without saying that Ms. Kinder is an extraordinary filmmaker and committed environmentalist. It is fitting and appropriate that Yachtworld Heroes has chosen to honor Deborah Kinder as a 2013 Yachtworld Hero.

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

Debora writes on Blueoceanfilmfestival.org, “Never has it been more urgent to promote, honor and share films that inspire people to protect our ocean and the life within.” This is one person very effectively leveraging thousands to educate others.

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

To use a tagline from Make a Difference Media, Deborah is “USING THE POWER OF MEDIA FOR THE GREATER GOOD”. Exposure as a YachtWorld Hero on yachtworld.com will pass on Debora’s message to the recreational boater/yachtsman/yachtswoman, and to the marine industry.

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

http://www.blueoceanfilmfestival.org/

http://realscreen.com/2012/09/21/blue-ocean-film-fest-2012-prepares-to-set-sail/#ixzz2DYQDwNgU

Make a Difference Media

Deborah Kinder was nominated by Michael Moore, Chair, The International SeaKeepers Society.

Dr. Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue Alliance, “Her Deepness”, Oceanographer, Explorer, Author, Lecturer

Jessica Muffett — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:03:54 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Dr. Sylvia Earle, “Her Deepness”, is a celebrated Hero of the Planet and Living Legend. She is an oceanographer explorer, author, and lecturer with experience as a field research scientist. Her work with The Aspen Institute, the Conservation Fund, American Rivers, Mote Marine Laboratory, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Rutgers Institute for Marine Science, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and Ocean Conservancy is unparalleled. Dr. Early is a former chief scientist of NOAA and founder of the Mission Blue Alliance. She is an Explorer-in-Residence for National Geographic and serves on the SeaKeepers Scientific Advisory Council.

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

The ocean’s inhabitants – from whales to krill – are entitled to more hope for survival, because of Dr. Earle’s work to save them.

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

Dr. Earle’s TedPrize “Wish” quotes, “I wish you would use all means at your disposal – films! expeditions! the web! more! – to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas, hope spots large enough to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet.” I hope that YachtWorld’s recognition of Dr. Earle’s work will help ignite public support of her wish.

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

Mission Blue – Sylvia Earle Alliance
TedTalk Ted Prize Dr. Sylvia Earle

Dr. Sylvia Earle was nominated by Jessica Muffett founder of YachtWorld.com.

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.

Gary Markel, Operation Cruise

Jessica Muffett — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:20:22 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Gary Merkel formed Operation Cruise to allow our wounded Special Operation Force veterans the ability to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience aboard his luxury yacht, One More Toy. While watching a program of wounded warriors scuba diving with volunteers in St. Thomas one day, he realized that he could make his boat available to wounded soldiers and their families. Great ideas aren’t always easy to implement, especially when it is involves the military, and working with a friend of a friend, he got in touch with the Care Coalition, a group who helps Special Operations Forces personel recover and rehabilitate with the aid of licensed counselors. Gary offered his 150′ yacht as a counseling platform.

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

The inaugural cruise was in February 2011, the extraordinary R&R accompanied by counseling, providing the first group of soldiers and their families an uplifting experience for the struggles they are facing in recovery. Gary hopes his example could help get other yacht owners to donate to the cause.

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause? Every bit of exposure helps, and with YachtWorld’s millions of boaters and boat owners, we hope to inspire some of them to donate in some way including:

1. Solicit Yacht Owners to Donate time on their Yachts for Wounded Special Operations Forces, their significant other and a licensed counselor.

2. Solicit donations to cover the out of pocket expenses that the owners incur ( dockage, fuel, food, beverage, etc. )

3. Solicit donations from companies for goods and services such as Dockage, fuel, food, beverage, etc.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities. http://www.operationcruise.info
http://megayachtnews.com/2011/12/operation-cruise-megayachts-one-more-toy/#axzz1pVZq9nPL

Gary Markel of Operation Cruise was nominated by Kevin Merrigan, President, of Northrop and Johnson www.northropandjohnson.com in the category “Marine Industry Owner Changing the World”.

Capt. Mark Drewelow of YachtAid Global

Jessica Muffett — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:40:03 +0000

Who is your Hero?

In his travels at the helm, YachtAid Global’s founder, Mark Drewelow (a former megayacht captain and now a port agent), saw plenty of places where people needed the bare basics: medicine, school supplies, you name it. It took some planning, but in 2006, he created YachtAid Global to match megayachts to these people. When he learns of a community that has a special need, he reaches out to his network of captains, crews, and owners, figuring out which yacht will be in that area and asking if any of them would be willing to take the supplies to the shoreside connection.

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

Mark has successfully gotten school and medical supplies delivered everywhere from Alaska to Belize and across the Pacific. He has even helped raise awareness of a school in Indonesia where the Komodo dragons were attacking children, geting funds raised to purchase a fence to surround the schoolyard. The yacht crews and owners who know Mark are incredibly inspired by him. In fact, the owners and crew aboard the yacht Slojo held an across-the-ocean, around-the-clock fundraiser for YachtAid Global, raising more than $50,000 to help it further its good deeds worldwide.

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

YachtAid Global is a nonprofit that ensures humanitarian and developmental aid reaches some of the most remote regions of the world. Its tagline says it all: Changing the World Without Changing Course.

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

http://www.megayachtnews.com/2009/11/mark-drewelow-yacht-aid-global/#axzz1n1riKHMa
http://megayachtnews.com/2009/06/megayacht-news-radio-yacht-aid-global-podcast/#ixzz1nJiljz4W
Project Big Fish by YachtAid Global
YachtAid Global – The Givers http://www.thecrewreport.com/superyacht_crew_news.asp?id=17810

Capt. Mark Drewelow of www.yachtaidglobal.org was nominated by Diane M. Byrne, MegayachtNews.com

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.

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

Alex Braden of ENCOMPASS, The Daniel Braden Reconciliation Trust

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:28:03 +0000

Who is your Hero?

Alex was the Chairman and CEO of Yachting Partners International, a yacht builder, broker, charter, crew supply and management company based originally in Brighton, UK with offices in Antibes, France and Monaco for over 37 years. In 2002, Alex lost his son, Daniel, in the terrorist attack on a nightclub in Bali, Indonesia. Daniel was a Chinese speaker and working in Taiwan. He was in Bali for an amateur Rugby tournament and five of his team from Taiwan were killed while celebrating after a successful day’s play. Alex and his family decided that the only way to help prevent tragedies like this one from happening again was to create a way to bring youths of different cultures and very much opposed faiths and politics, together to open their minds to understanding and to give value to the ‘other’ and basically give a human face to the ‘other’. A battle against stereotypes.

So in 2003, Encompass – The Daniel Braden Reconciliation Trust was set up. Their first flagship projects were called “Voyages of Understanding” and took place on tall ships. In 2005, the interest in this project by various organizations became too large for the few able to participate so they moved from land to sea by setting up the “Journey of Understanding”. Since its inception, Encompass has now brought together over 1000 young people from different cultures and has developed its expertise in allowing israelis, Palestinians, Indonesians, Americans and and very ethnically eclectic British participants to meet together and to discuss their differences and similar needs. Alex has had enormous influence in the international yachting industry, particularly as an early member and President of the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association whose mission, among others, is to establish and maintain a high standard of professional ethics, professional rules and skills in charter, sales, and yacht management industries.

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

Since its inception, Encompass has brought together over 1000 young people from different cultures confronting stereotypes and changing perspectives.

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

YachtWorld.com’s international exposure to their YachtWorld Hero program will bring attention to “Encompass – The Daniel Braden Reconciliation Trust”, whose mission is to bring together young people from different cultures and backgrounds, supporting them to become more understanding and tolerant of each other while giving them the skills and confidence to promote intercultural understanding in their communities. Each one of their alumni is now an ambassador for this understanding – thus affecting a much greater number of people, young and old, beyond the immediate Journeys.

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

http://www.encompasstrust.org
http://www.encompasstrust.org/index.php?q=origins
http://www.encompasstrust.org/index.php?q=history-sea-land

Alex Braden was nominated by Ann Vernon, Executive Director of the Florida Yacht Brokers Association, and former Executive Director of the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association.

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ST. TROPEZ, FRANCE, February 20, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ YACHTWORLD EXCLUSISVE – FOR HIS SERVICES TO CHARITY ALEXANDER K. BRADEN, CO-FOUNDER, FORMER CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF WORLD LEADING YACHT MANAGEMENT AND BROKERAGE HOUSE, YACHTING PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL (YPI), IS NAMED ‘YACHTWORLD HERO’ BY THE YACHTWORLD FOUNDATION — Awarded in recognition of Alex’s outstanding work through his charity, ENCOMPASS, in helping bring together young people from varied and conflicting cultures and faiths through demanding physical programmes and facilitated, sometimes confrontational, discussions. ENCOMPASS was founded in 2003 following the death of Alex’s son, Daniel, in the Bali Bombing in 2002 which killed 202 people.Read more …..