The International SeaKeepers Society has announced their partnership with S/Y MAIDEN to advance ocean research and empower the next generation of women during the 2023/2024 Ocean Global Race. MAIDEN has a long history of advocating for women empowering them to break down barriers, which is a large part of the International SeaKeepers Society to advance education for the next generation.
MAIDEN began their global journey in September 2021 with the goal of visiting 20 destinations and covering over 30,000 nautical miles. During their travels, they have been engaging with schools, charities and local organizations to empower, educate and elevate girls around the world. With Tracy Edwards MBE at the helm, she continues the legacy she began by being the skipper of the first all-female crew in the 1989 Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race.
Tracy Edwards MBE comments, “SeaKeepers’ collaboration with [MAIDEN] extends beyond the OGR [Ocean Global Race]. [MAIDEN] is a proud SeaKeepers program partner and a supporter of The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project. The crew carries the Seabed 2030 logger on board, contributing valuable data to map the ocean floor as part of SeaKeepers’ Citizen Science initiative. The logger was installed before the OGR, and the first leg of data from the UK to Cape Town is already in the hands of SeaKeepers’ Citizen Science team.”
Seabed 2030 Project Director, Jamie McMichael-Phillips further highlights, “We are delighted by this collaboration and greatly appreciate the support from SeaKeepers, a valued, long-standing partner of Seabed 2030, as well as [MAIDEN], under the leadership of the inspiring Tracy Edwards. This partnership stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to forging a path toward a future where the ocean is comprehensively understood and diligently preserved for generations to come. Our mission is a collective endeavor – achievable only through collaborative efforts, such as this, on an international scale.”
While Gill Rodrigues, Director of International Relations for SeaKeepers shares, “[MAIDEN’s] journey is not just a race around the globe; it’s a testament to the resilience and capability of women in sailing. Their dedication to education, empowerment, and ocean research reflects SeaKeepers’ mission, making this partnership a powerful force for positive change.”
Learn more about this inspiring collaboration through their YouTube video:
