A Sea Worthy Summer…

On July 1st, NAMEPA welcomed aboard Joseph Hughes (pictured above) of the American Club as its new Chairman of the Board.  Additional transitions include Scorpio’s Ole Chr. Schroder will assume the role of Vice Chairman, Joan Bondareff of Blank Rome will become Secretary, and Alaska SeaLife Center’s Tara Reimer will become Treasurer. To view the press release,
CLICK HERE.

NAMEPA went to Washington to advocate for ocean planning, the “most effective and cost effective mechanism of balancing commerce and conservation,” according to Carleen Lyden-Kluss, NAMEPA Executive Director.  Hosted by Ocean Conservancy the fly-in attracted over 25 representatives from shipping, conservation, educational institutions, wind energy, and recreational fisherman to urge adoption of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan.

The winners of the “Ships Bring the World to Us” art contest have been chosen.  We received over over 260 submissions from K-12 students throughout the Americas.  To view the winning art, CLICK HERE.

Patagonia’s Environmental Grants and Support Program has pledged its support to NAMEPA’sFighting Marine Debris on the Connecticut Coastlineproject.  Learn more.  To view pictures from the celebration, click here.

NAMEPA’s interns worked all summer creating a claymation video highlighting the “Wayward Life of a Plastic Bag”.  To view the video on our website, CLICK HERE.  Check out our other videos on YouTube.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium Presents Navigating NY’s Busy Ocean: Whales, Ships and a New Era of Ocean Planning on August 31st from 6-8pm at Central Park Zoo’s 4D Theater.  Join us for a panel discussion featuring experts from NAMEPA, NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.  For free registration and other information,
CLICK HERE.

NAMEPA’s Annual Conference and Awards Dinner has been set for Thursday, October 27th at Pier A in New York City from 2:00-9:30pm and will observe the North American World Maritime Day.  This year’s theme will mirror IMO’s 2016 World Maritime Day Observance:  Shipping- Indispensable to the World.  Our featured speaker this year is RADM Linda Fagan, USCG.  For conference and registration information, CLICK HERE.  For sponsorship information, contactg.nicholas@namepa.net.

On August 10th, NAMEPA held a reception honoring the new District 17 Commander – RADM McAllister (third from left).  There to wish RADM McAllister well in his new assignment in Alaska were (left to right) Clay Maitland, Managing Partner of International Registries and Founder & Chairman Emeritus of NAMEPA, RADM Duncan Smith, USCG (Ret.), President of Smith Advocacy Group and NAMEPA board member, and Carleen Lyden-Kluss, Executive Director of NAMEPA.

NAMEPA’s Chairman Emeritus, Clay Maitland and Executive Director, Carleen Lyden-Kluss presented at NAMMA Conference 2016 in Portsmouth, VA from Aug 2-5.  Maitland participated in a session covering theState of Shipping and Seafarers.  Lyden-Kluss gave a presentation onSeafarers, Fishers, and Marine Pollution. To view Lyden-Kluss’ presentation,CLICK HERE.  For more information about the conference, CLICK HERE.

Patricia King-Alvis and Mark Lucitt of the USCG Auxiliary in Virginia recently partnered with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) to educate boat owners about sewage disposal and what it does to our waters when it is dumped overboard.  King-Alvis and Lucitt created a first of its kind PowerPoint presentation for the class.  HRSD interns (pictured above with King-Alvis and Lucitt) distributed NAMEPA’s educational materials (Do You Know Where Your Litter Is, MARPOL, &The Plastic Problem) and our marine debris bags.  Hats off to King-Alvis and Lucitt for taking the initiative to educate others to Save Our Seas!  If you know of
group in your area who would benefit from NAMEPA’s educational materials, contactm.hogue@namepa.net.

It has been a very eventful summer for our interns.  Using NAMEPA’s Educator’s Guides, they presented over 50 hands-on marine environment lessons to K-8th grade students at local Boys & Girls Clubs and summer camp programs.  They also pooled their creative resources to produce“The Wayward Life of a Plastic Bag”
stop-motion video using modeling clay, foam board, wire, string, and a video camera.  The result was fantastic!  Two of our interns have laid the ground-work for forming a NAMEPA chapter at their high school.  Through their NAMEPA High chapter, the interns will continue to Save Our Seas through environmental service  projects and educational seminars.  They will also gain leadership experience and inspire their peers and community to become stewards of the ocean.  For more information about NAMEPA High or University chapters, contactm.hogue@namepa.net.