on 26 Sep 2023
Coral Sea Marina is the organisation’s first dedicated marina partner in the South Pacific region.
Coral Sea Marina
Queensland’s Coral Sea Marina has partnered with the International SeaKeepers Society’s Discovery Yacht Programme, in a bid to promote marine education, citizen science and research opportunities.
Coral Sea Marina is a 520-berth marina in the heart of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef, on the east coast of Australia. The marina has joined SeaKeepers’ fleet of marine industry partners to become organisation’s first dedicated marina partner in the South Pacific region.
“We are incredibly excited to join the SeaKeepers’ Marina Partner Programme to raise awareness and promote ocean conservation to our marina guests, visiting superyachts and the wider boating community,” says Joscelyn O’Keefe, head of marketing and business development at Coral Sea Marina.
“We are uniquely positioned on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef to facilitate participation in ocean conservation programmes and the citizen science movement to both privately owned vessels and our commercial tourism operators.”
Youth Education Programme in action. Image credit: International Seekeepers Society
READ: Yachts Wanted for Research Programmes in the South Pacific
The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers) is a non-profit marine science organisation that uses privately owned yachts and vessels to act as platforms for oceanographic research, educational outreach and marine conservation. Founded in Florida in 1998 by a small group of yacht owners, SeaKeepers has grown to incorporate marine industry partners from across the globe.
The organisation runs several yacht-involved programmes to help accomplish its mission, and is partnering with Citi Private Bank and Sentosa Development Corporation to present the 2023 Blue Water EduFest conference in Singapore in November.
“SeaKeepers is thrilled to have Coral Sea Marina as our first South Pacific marina partner,” says Melissa White, programme development manager, South Pacific, at SeaKeepers. “Their efforts in being a Clean Marina and creating the Coral Sea Academy as their commitment to educating people on protecting our marine environment aligns with the SeaKeepers mission. We are looking forward to the work we can accomplish as partners.”
Interested vessels are encouraged to sign up to join the Discovery Yacht Programme, which allows private vessels to partner with SeaKeepers through scientist-led expeditions, citizen science, educational outreach and community engagement.
Discovery Yacht Programme. Image credit: International Seakeepers Society
Vessel involvement ranges from participating in concise seabed mapping, as part of the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2023 Project, to monitoring manta rays in Australian waters, as part of Project Manta.
“By joining the Discovery Yacht Fleet, the boating community can use their vessels and their time to make a real difference out on the water”, says O’Keefe.
“Whether by documenting encounters with local marine life or capturing important scientific data whilst cruising the water of Australia and the South Pacific, partnering with The International SeaKeepers Society provides everyday people to actively contribute to the crucial work of ocean conservation.”
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