SeaKeepers celebrations

The International SeaKeepers Society celebrated its 25th anniversary at the 2023 Bal de la Mer at the Four Seasons Hotel in Fort Lauderdale.

11 November 2023

The International SeaKeepers Society, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting oceanographic research, and education, celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Bal de la Mer on Wednesday 25 October in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Guests enjoyed an evening of celebration with Guests of Honour Fabien Cousteau, 2015 SeaKeeper of the Year, Amos Nachoum, 2019 SeaKeeper of the Year, and yachting celebrity Captain Sandy Yawn.

The cocktail hour featured a silent auction; a virtual reality experience made from several SeaKeepers expeditions; and a mural about marine life containing QR coding for species identification which will be used for educational outreach. Robinson’s Jewelers were on-site supporting with 10 percent of sale proceeds being donated back to SeaKeepers.

Master of Ceremonies, Louis Aguirre from WPLG 10 local station opened the stage program to recognise leadership, yacht owners, captains, and ocean scientists who have contributed to the mission of SeaKeepers.

The International SeaKeepers Society celebrated its 25th Anniversary at the 2023 Bal de la Mer.

Zach Bellapigna and Toni Lohroff.

Zac Bailey and Katie Sheahan.

Wendy Gallagher and Donald R Tomlin.

Trisha Dfossi and Diane Bloc.

Tony Gilbert and Melissa Pizarro.

Steve Reoch and Gina Robertson.

Steven Meyers and Carrie Bailey.

Shirley and Mark Bononi.

Scarlett Athos, Caycie Flitman, Laura Wisman and Rosalee Benitez.

Robinsons Jewelers.

Rick Thomas and Leslie Schemp.

Paige Bresky.

Norma Trease, Shelby Ximena Caminos, Patty Elkus, Amos Nachoum and Susan McClellan.

Nadia Bedasse Francis and Clayton Swart.

Michael T Moore, Patty Elkus, Jay Wade, Norma Trease and Mark Luther.

Erin Ackor and Michael T Moore.

Melissa White, Joanne Cooper and Aubri Keith.

Marek Hasenkopf, Gill Rodrigues and Rebecca Budel.

Kristen and Matt Braisted.

Katie Sheahan, Alejandra Pedreros, Toni Lohroff, Ivonne Gamboa and Melissa White.

Kathleen Hagan, Julia Russell and Sarrah Hearne.

John Gaffney, Zac Bailey, Dick Seidenspinner, Patty Elkus, Amos Nachoum and Michael T Moore.

John Gaffney, Julia Gaffney and Michael T Moore.

Joanne Cooper.

Jenifer and John Crupi.

Ivonne Gamboa and Melissa White.

Hope Gainor and Robyn Vettraino.

Heather Chamberlain and Chad Bishop.

Ginger Hornaday and Julie Walker.

Gavin Ugianskis and Katie Sheahan.

Gabriel Pla, Laura Wisman, Rosalee Benitez, Erin Ackor, Michael T Moore, Caycie Flitman, Scarlett Athos, Rey Saenz and Kavan Vartak.

Fraser Wilkinson, Scott Stamper, Emily Grew, Calvin Gray, Emma Carpenter and Joe Clark.

Fabien Cousteau and Jay Wade.

Fabien Cousteau.

Diane M Byrne and Patty Elkus.

Diane M Byrne and Federic Dormeuil.

Corey Ranslem, Emma Carpenter, Kelly Gordon, Gill Rodrigues and Joe Clark.

Christopher Fischer and Captain Sandy Yawn.

Chad Quist, Audra Quist, Dr. Pamela Wright, Diane Bloc, Captain Sandy Yawn and Leah Shafer.

Captain Sandy Yawn, Fabien Cousteau, Leah Shafer, Erin Ackor, Michael T Moore and Norma Trease.

Captain Sandy Yawn.

Captain Kelly Gordon.

Bradford Marine Group, Sustainability Sponsor.

Beth Bernstein.

Amos Nachoum and Tony Gilbert with DISCOVERY Yacht Recipients.

Amos Nachoum, Shamsha Dieguez, Juan Dieguez and Tony Gilbert.

Amos Nachoum, Matt Braisted, Kristen Braisted and Tony Gilbert.

Amos Nachoum and Fabien Cousteau.

Amos Nachoum.

Aaron Goldstein and Tony Gilbert.

Emcee Chris Fischer who hosted the second part of the program welcomed Platinum Sponsor, YATCO’s Founder & CEO, Steven J. Myers, and Guests of Honor, Fabien Cousteau, Amos Nachoum, and Captain Sandy Yawn who highlighted their participation and association with the SeaKeepers’ mission.

Vessel representatives who participated in programming during 2023 and were in the audience received a thank-you gift crafted by Lauren Shapiro, 2023 SeaKeeper Artist of the Year.

These were presented on stage by Tony Gilbert, Chief Programs Officer. Jay Wade, Board Chair of The International SeaKeepers Society: “Throughout the past quarter-century, SeaKeepers has undertaken a remarkable journey, one that has united the yachting and academic communities in an unwavering commitment to protect and preserve our planet’s most precious resource – our ocean.

“As we reflect, we acknowledge the significant role that our program partners, DISCOVERY Fleet, and supporters have played in making our achievements possible. We look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and our commitment to protecting the ocean remains steadfast.

“Together, we have embarked on incredible journeys of discovery and research, turning luxury yachts and other types of platforms into vessels of knowledge and exploration.

“We can continue to make a profound impact on the health and sustainability of our ocean for generations to come.”

SeaKeepers would like to thank the following supporters & sponsors for this event: Platinum Sponsor, YATCO; Invitation Sponsor, Moore & Co.; Sustainability Sponsor, Bradford Marine; Annual Travel Sponsor, Global Marine Travel; Science Sponsors, Florida Atlantic University, Georgia Aquarium & JMS Yachting; Entertainment Sponsor, Oversea Yacht Insurance and Vision Sponsor, Navier. For In-Kind Support, SeaKeepers would like to thank the following companies: Cairlinn Bay, Calirosa, Cooper’s Hawk, Dos Hombres, Hampton Water, Lunetta, NDO H2O, Papa’s Pilar, Primo Liquors, Sip Channé, Smallwood’s & Tequila Travesuras.

SeaKeepers would also like to thank our year-round media partners for their ongoing support of our mission and events: Ballyhoo Media, British Marine, Charter World, Coral Gables Magazine, Excellence Luxury Magazine, Haute Living, International Yacht Brokers Association, Marine Industry News, Meridian, Megayacht News, Ocean Media, Superyacht Services Guide, Triton News, Venü Magazine, Yachts International, Yacht Style and YATCO.

seakeepers.org

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