YACHTWORLD FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2011 YACHTWORLD HEROES AND 2012 BENEFICIARY
SEATTLE, WA – Feb, 16, 2012 – The YachtWorld Foundation, whose mission is to further the knowledge and protection of the world’s oceans, today announced the 2011 YachtWorld Heroes and its 2012 organizational beneficiary. YachtWorld Foundation beneficiaries are non-profit organizations that promote awareness and protection of the world’s oceans.
The 2012 beneficiary is the International SeaKeepers Society, chaired by Michael Moore. Their mission is to gather and distribute the most useful oceanographic and atmospheric data concerning the health of the world’s oceans and climate.
YachtWorld Heroes are individuals and organizations that have made a significant difference in the promotion and protection of the marine habitat, have made a significant contribution to the education and enjoyment of it by others or a marine industry professional who is changing the world. Nominated by marine industry colleagues, personal friends or acquaintances whose lives have been impacted by their work, the 2011 YachtWorld Heroes are:
- Mark Schrader of Around the Americas (www.aroundtheamericas.org). who completed a 25,000 mile sailing circumnavigation of the American continents to inspire, educate and engage citizens of the Americas to protect the fragile oceans and collect scientific data for scientific organizations.Nominated by Bonnie Robertson, Northwest Yacht Brokers Association.
- Alex Braden of ENCOMPASS, The Daniel Braden Reconciliation Trust (www.encompasstrust.org). This organization brings together young people from different cultures and backgrounds, supporting their understanding and tolerance of each other, while giving them the skills and confidence to promote intercultural understanding in their communities. Nominated by Ann Vernon, Florida Yacht Brokers Association.
- The U.S Coast Guard (www.uscg.mil), one of the five armed forces of the United States and the only military organization with the Department of Homeland Security, whose mission is to protect the maritime economy and environment, defend maritime borders, and save those in peril. Nominated by Vincent Petrella, CPYB, executive director, on behalf of The Yacht Brokers Association of America.
- Debra Frenkel & John Weller of Freedom Waters Foundation (www.fredomwaters.org) whose vision is to be the national leader in therapeutic boating and marine related activities for people with disabilities or life threatening illnesses, youth at risk, and others with special needs. Nominated by Andrew Cilla, Luke Brown Yachts.
“Those of us who enjoy our oceans have particular reasons to become its protectors and share the joy with others.” said Jessica Muffett, founder, YachtWorld.com. “We are so pleased to recognize these five individuals and organizations for their good work so they may inspire others. “
Nominations are now being accepted for 2012 YachtWorld Heroes. Visit www.YachtWorldFoundation.org to nominate a Hero.
About YachtWorld Foundation– YachtWorld Foundation is the charitable arm of YachtWorld.com, the single most powerful and effective global marketing solution for the boating industry. Created in 2010, its mission is to further the knowledge and protection of the world’s oceans. With 2.5 million global visits by boating enthusiasts each month, viewing over 116,000 brokerage boats worldwide from yacht brokers in 106 countries, YachtWorld Foundation will raise funds and awareness for like-minded charitable programs. Headquartered in Seattle, WA, YachtWorld Foundation and YachtWorld.com have European headquarters in the United Kingdom, with representation in France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Turkey and Estonia. YachtWorld.com is a division of Boats Group, based in Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
About SeaKeepers– Founded in Monaco in 1998, the International SeaKeepers Society – a 501(c)3 nonprofit – was started by a small group of yacht owners concerned by the deteriorating health of the seas. Their initial mission was to develop a compact, automated and cost-effective ocean and atmospheric monitoring system to install aboard their yachts, to provide data to scientists on the world’s changing oceans. Since its inception, the innovative SeaKeeper 1000TM monitoring system has been deployed in more than 90 locations around the world, including yachts, cruise ships, ferryboats, government buoys, freight ships and piers. The SeaKeeper 1000™ is endorsed by the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and used by three divisions of NOAA – its National Marine Fisheries Service, National Marine Sanctuaries Program, and National Weather Service. To find out how to become a SeaKeeper, “adopt” a SeaKeeper 1000™ monitoring system, or to learn more about the Society, please visit www.seakeepers.org.
About Around the Americas (ATA)–Around the Americas is a 28,000 mile sailing circumnavigation of the American continents with the mission of inspiring, educating and engaging the citizens of the Americas to protect our fragile oceans. Around the Americas was inspired by Sailors for the Sea, which was founded in 2004 by David Rockefeller, Jr. with a mission to engage the boating community to help protect our endangered oceans. The expedition is a collaboration among Sailors for the Sea; Pacific Science Center, a Seattle-based not-for-profit science foundation that has developed a full curriculum for K-8 students on ocean studies; and renowned ocean sailor Mark Schrader who has twice before sailed around the world by himself.
About Encompass, the Daniel Braden Reconciliation Trust – Alex Braden was the Chairman and CEO of Yachting Partners International, a yacht builder, broker, charter, crew supply and management company in the UK; Antibes, France; and Monaco. His son Daniel Braden was among the 202 people killed in the terrorist atrocity on Bali on October 12, 2002 along with four others of his Rugby team from Taiwan. Encompass came about thanks to inspirational work of Dan’s girlfriend, Jun Hirst, and the Braden family. Their first flagship projects were called “Voyages of Understanding” and took place on Tall Ships. In 2005, the various limitations of the Tall Ships made it necessary to move from sea to land in the form of Outward Bound Camps and by renaming the programs as “Journeys of Understanding”. Encompass empowers young people from five very different countries and cultural/religious extremes to confront issues of conflict, stereotyping and identity within their community. Encompass exists to create social cohesion and cultural understanding across political, religious and socio-economic divides through residential, non-formal education and reconciliation programs.
About U.S Coast Guard – For over two centuries the U.S. Coast Guard has safeguarded the United States maritime interests in the heartland, the ports, at sea, and around the globe. They protect the maritime economy and the environment, defend our Nation’s maritime borders and save those in peril. Today’s U.S. Coast Guard, with nearly 42,000 men and women on active duty, is a unique force that carries out an array of civil and military responsibilities touching almost every facet of the U.S. maritime environment.
About Freedom Waters Foundation – Freedom Waters Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to enhance lives by providing boating opportunities and marine related activities for people with disabilities or life threatening illnesses, youth at risk, and others with special needs. The various programs developed by Freedom Waters help accomplish this mission and include adaptive sailing and fishing, Weller Days (named after co-founder, John Weller, 4-time cancer survivor and yacht broker), yacht outings, and special events.
