The Seattle Aquarium Society is about not only supporting the Seattle Aquarium but also educating people about and preserving the Puget Sound and other marine habitats. Money donated goes towards researching marine species like the six gill shark and the giant Pacific Octopus, training "Beach Naturalists" who volunteer to teach beach visitors how to enjoy themselves without hurting the environment, or even simply helps feed the otters. High level memberships of $300-$5000/year get you additional goodies like behind-the-scenes tours and invites to special wine tastings, Presidential dinners, and the Splash! Reception that happens each year.Posts with tag marine
Seattle Aquarium Society, Charity of the Day
The Seattle Aquarium Society is about not only supporting the Seattle Aquarium but also educating people about and preserving the Puget Sound and other marine habitats. Money donated goes towards researching marine species like the six gill shark and the giant Pacific Octopus, training "Beach Naturalists" who volunteer to teach beach visitors how to enjoy themselves without hurting the environment, or even simply helps feed the otters. High level memberships of $300-$5000/year get you additional goodies like behind-the-scenes tours and invites to special wine tastings, Presidential dinners, and the Splash! Reception that happens each year.Aboard the Earthrace Yacht
I first wrote about the Earthrace biodiesel boat last year and ever since I have been following the project so when I found out that the boat was making a United States tour I had to check her out. The Earthrace boat is a wavepiercing trimaran that runs on biodiesel fuel. The plan is to have the Earthrace break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat, and using only renewable fuels. They are currently involved in an 18-month tour raising awareness about sustainable use of resources before the attempting to break the 75-day record next March. The Earthrace crew is hoping to complete the journey in less than 65 days. The Earthrace boat hits a top speed of 40 knots and the unique design lets her smash through the waves (up to 24 feet high according to one crew member I talked with).
At the Lido Yacht Expo in Newport Beach, California the Earthrace was definitely attracting attention even among the gleaming white luxury yachts on display (more on those later in the day). Unlike other boats at the show where you just take off your shoes and climb aboard, the Earthrace crew was charging $5 a pop (to help fund the project). And unlike other boats, this one wasn't for sale. As I checked out the boat I heard one little girl say to her mother, "Mommy, this boat smells. No one is going to buy this boat." It definitely did have a college-dorm funk to it but the New Zealand-based crew seemed to be in high spirits. After the jump, some more shots of the Earthrace including the tight quarters of the interior.
Gipsy Moth IV Runs Aground
One of our favorite yachts, the recently restored Gipsy Moth IV has run into trouble in the South
Pacific. The yacht, which went through a
£300,000 restoration last year, is owned by the United Kingdom Sailing Academy. The yacht was going from
Marquesas to Tahiti as part of a round-the-world trek when she hit a reef. The yacht is lying starboard in deep water
and the crew was rescued. Marine salvage is currently attempting to salvage the vessel. Hopefully this historic vessel
can be saved and repaired but it isn't known yet if the yacht will continue on the global voyage.Fast Track To Power Cruising Program
If
you'd like to learn how to navigate a power boat but are wary of spending your summer taking boating classes, the Fast
Track to Power Cruising could be your dream working vacation. Steve and Doris Colgate, founders of the Offshore Sailing School have partnered with NauticBlue charters to offer a six-day live-aboard learning vacation in the
Bahamas and British Virgin Islands. The course which starts June 1, will use 35 - 47 foot power catamarans.
Participants are trained by US Cruising Power Boat Certified instructors and learn about on-board systems, docking,
anchoring, navigation, engine maintenance and more so that they can confidently handle boats up to 50 feet. Up to four
participants live aboard with an instructor during the program.[via BYM News]
