Published on: 25 January 2024
The International SeaKeepers Society partners with Maiden as it pauses its world tour to compete in the Ocean Globe Race (OGR). Maiden, a vessel with a storied history of breaking barriers and empowering women, aligns seamlessly with SeaKeepers’ mission to advance ocean research and education.
Since September 2021, Maiden has embarked on a global journey spanning nearly 30,000 nautical miles, visiting 20 destinations, and engaging with schools, charities, and organisations. Tracy Edwards MBE, the skipper of the first all-female crew in the 1989 Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, continues her trailblazing legacy by using Maiden to educate, empower, and elevate girls worldwide.
The Ocean Globe Race, a fully crewed retro race commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race, provides an exceptional platform to amplify Maiden’s mission. Tracy Edwards and her team faced formidable challenges in the 1989 race, challenging the status quo and paving the way for future generations of female sailors.
Tracy Edwards MBE, commented: “SeaKeepers’ collaboration with Maiden extends beyond the OGR. 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’s Project Director, Jamie McMichael-Phillips says: “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 endeavour – achievable only through collaborative efforts, such as this, on an international scale.”
As Maiden arrived in New Zealand, SeaKeepers’ South Pacific Program Development Manager, Melissa White, welcomed the crew in Auckland, demonstrating SeaKeepers’ global outreach. The collaboration extends to Educational Outreach, with Maiden and SeaKeepers’ co-creating an international online program to inspire the next generation of ocean enthusiasts.
Gill Rodrigues, Director of International Relations for SeaKeepers commented: “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.”
SeaKeepers invites you to watch Maiden’s remarkable journey which showcases the broader mission of ocean conservation and education: SeaKeepers & Maiden Partner for Seabed 2030 Project. For more information on The International SeaKeepers Society’s Citizen Science Initiatives and Educational Outreach programs, please visit SeaKeepers.
