The motto of the International SeaKeepers Society is: research, educate, protect and restore and they are bringing their cause to Singapore.

The International SeaKeepers Society launched marine conservation program Singapore 3D: DISCOVERY Yachts; Dedication to Marine Research, Education & Conservation; Delivering Results. The primary role of the society is to focus on the health of the world’s oceans and climate and promote oceanographic research, conservation and education through direct involvement with the yachting community. SeaKeepers enables the yachting community to take full advantage of their unique potential to advance marine sciences and to raise awareness about global ocean issues. It plays the role of global catalyst working with governments, scientists, industry, and other marine organizations to achieve marine protection and restoration initiatives.

Founded in 1998 by a small group of yacht owners alarmed by the deterioration of the natural environment, 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 research, scientific discovery, community outreach and artistic inspiration. From hosting learning excursions for underprivileged kids to facilitating scientific research for genome sequencing; yachts are the platform to enable accomplishments.

Chaired by board member, Julian Chang and his wife Sandra Chang, Singapore 3D took place at the SEA Aquarium, Resorts World Sentosa, with 100 VIP guests in attendance.

Building upon the established programing done by SeaKeepers across the world, the focus in Asia will be on creating better awareness of the current situation of our oceans in order to build a sense of appreciation and commitment to protect and conserve, as well as restore when possible.

The expansion into Asia follows recent visits to Singapore by International SeaKeepers Society President, Richard Snow and senior management which revealed the heightened consciousness of conservation in Singapore and the surrounding region among yacht owners and the general public.

In addition to celebrating the unveiling of Singapore 3D, presentations of the SeaKeeper of the World Award and the SeaKeepers Asia Achievement Award will be made, recognising individuals and organisations in the Asian community who have been key in marine research, education and conservation.

Singapore 3D’s operations will run parallel to the headquarters of SeaKeepers in Miami, with a main focus on expanding the impact of the Discovery Yacht Program through outreach programs, instrument deployments, and scientific expeditions. The first strand of programing to be established will be outreach programs targeted at youth and learning experiences aboard Discovery Yachts that serve as “floating classrooms.” These programs will focus on marine wildlife, plastic pollution and sustainability practices. Participants will include local schools and national organizations.

Programing will also include instrument deployments for ocean monitoring through deploying of SeaKeeper drifters. Data collected is used for oil spill and marine debris accumulation analyses, weather and hurricane prediction models, satellite quality control, and to overall better understand the marine environment.

The third strand of programing will be scientist-led expeditions that will be conducted by leading researchers aboard Discovery Yachts. SeaKeepers work with experts in the marine science and oceanography fields to promote and facilitate groundbreaking research, as well as providing yacht owners, guests and crew, the opportunity to utilise their vessel to serve as an at-sea research platform.

Link: www.seakeepers.org

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This article was originally published in Yacht Style