Ocean Conservation Yacht Club
The Sailing Community and Oceana Team Up To Preserve Our Waterways
Feb 13, 2009
The Ocean Conservation Yacht Club is an active collaboration between Oceana, the largest international group dedicated 100 percent to the oceans' health, and the sailing community. Under the guidance of Oceana, sailors can contribute to the solutions for ocean conservation. Sailors, like many other water enthusiasts have direct interaction with our bodies of water, therefore, first line of defense to protect it.
Oceana Is A Mentor For Change
"Oceana seeks to make our oceans as rich, healthy and abundant as they were in our grandparents’ youth," shares the organization's site. They further address, "In the last few decades we have seen the benefits of restored rivers and lakes – for ecological and economic health – in many parts of the world. We can reap the same benefits from healthy oceans. We can restore ocean ecosystems that will sustain us, entertain us, amaze us and generate jobs around the world for centuries to come."
Sailors Are Perfect Ambassadors For Change
The collaborations between sailing communities and Oceana is a natural fit given the sports reliance on open bodies of water. Prior to initiating the club, Oceana introduced itself at regional sailing events organized by Sperry Top-Sider NOOD (National Offshore One-design) Regatta Series. These events take place across North America and tap into a broad spectrum of sailing enthusiast.
Though the sailors range from weekend warriors to trained professionals, each seeks out the event with common interest: sailing and being on the water. The sailor's passion for being on the water makes them ideal activist for the very element they rely on. Oceana recognizes this attribute and the sailors recognize Oceana as dedicated to ensuring their children's children have the open sea as a playground.
Sailing's Future Depends On The Ocean's Health
The yacht club is young but hopes to live long with goals to attain three thousand new members by end of 2009. Getting involved is very easy and the club is open to all sailors interested in sailing toward a healthier tomorrow. Its mission statement hits home for many sailors:
The OCYC acts to harness the spirit, dedication and strength of the sailing community to promote ocean conservation.
The OCYC seeks to advocate for the protection of the world’s oceans by harnessing the support of sailors everywhere. The OCYC will inform and inspire the sailing community and empower OCYC members to take small actions with big impact for ocean protection. We are guided by a simple principle to make marine environments healthy and ecologically diverse.
The OCYC will encourage sailors to engage in ocean conservation at local, state, national and international levels.
The OCYC will inform sailors about the threats to oceans, solutions to the problems and provide pathways to action.
The OCYC will provide a unique voice that acts as a bridge between the sailing community and conservation communities in order to bring them closer together.
The OCYC will provide recommendations for how sailors can sail more responsibly.
To OCYC will provide a unique social network for sailors and ocean conservationists worldwide.
The Ocean Conservation Yacht Club will be on hand at the Annapolis Sperry Top-Sider NOOD event April 24th thru 26th. To learn more about Oceana and it's Yacht Club, visit either site (see links within article.) Further inquires can be sent to the author of this piece.
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