Carleen Lyden-Kluss
NAMEPA, Houston Maritime Museum Sign MOU to Advance Maritime Education Organizations’ work will focus on maritime history and culture and the importance of protecting the marine environment.
(Stamford, CT) The North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) and the Houston Maritime Museum (HMM) have signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to advance public awareness and education about the importance of the maritime industry and protecting the marine environment.
On March 23, 2016, NAMEPA Co-Founder/Executive Director Carleen Lyden-Kluss and HMM Chairman of the Board of Trustees Niels Aalund signed the MOU at the Connecticut Maritime Associations (CMA’s) Shipping 2016 conference.
The scope of the agreement includes education focused on the history, culture and economic contribution of the maritime industry, as well as the importance of protecting the marine environment.
“Our organizations share a common commitment to the maritime industry, ” says Lyden-Kluss. “NAMEPA is thrilled to be establishing this alliance with HMM that will lead to collaborative maritime education programs and activities, especially around protecting the marine environment.”
l to r: NAMEPA Founding Chairman, Clay Maitland; NAMEPA Co-Founder/Executive Director Carleen Lyden-Kluss; Houston Maritime Museum Chairman of the Board of Trustees Niels Aalund
The MOU will aid in fostering a collaborative effort that encourages learning about maritime history and the impact the industry has on local communities as well as the global economy. Programs utilizing NAMEPA’s extensive education resources on marine environment protection will also be featured.
“With more than 90 percent of international trade being moved by sea, the maritime industry is a vital component of the world’s economy, ” says Aalund. “Through HMM’s alliance with NAMEPA we want to increase the public’s awareness about the contribution the marine industry makes to our local, national and global economy. Further, our goals mesh well on protecting the marine environment and furthering education in that area.”
NAMEPA – “Save Our Seas” is the mission of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) which is an independent, marine industry-led entity that engages industry, regulators, environmental groups, educators and the public by promoting sound environmental practices. NAMEPA is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the marine environment through educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean resources. Visit: www.namepa.net
HMM is currently located near the Houston Museum District and Medical Center. Its mission is “to capture and preserve the wonder and influence of the maritime history and maritime industry”. The museum features galleries of ship models that span the full range of maritime history from the middle ages through modern navies and commercial fleets, and Houston’s important role in maritime. HMM will be moving to its home at the Port of Houston Turning Basin in 2018. For more information, go to houstonmaritime.org.
