DISCOVERY Yacht Expedition Grant Program

DISCOVERY Yacht Expedition Grant Program is sponsored by International SeaKeepers Society. Offers vessel time and logistical support for marine scientists conducting research expeditions, focusing on conservation and oceanography.

DISCOVERY Program | SeaKeepers SeaKeepers United Kingdom Scientist-Led Expeditions DISCOVERY Program Application Research Project Application SeaKeepers United Kingdom Scientist-Led Expeditions DISCOVERY Program Application Research Project Application Privately owned yachts and boats in the SeaKeepers DISCOVERY Fleet serve as vital platforms for research and education.

Learn how you and your vessel can play a meaningful role in preserving our oceans. Join the DISCOVERY Program What is the SeaKeepers DISCOVERY Program? Our flagship program matches private vessel owners with scientists to support ocean research and education.

By donating time aboard their vessels, owners enable vital marine work at no cost to the researchers. Owners can join the activities, gain tax benefits, and be recognized through SeaKeepers. Participation ranges from brief deployments to multi-day expeditions.

Since 2014, our DISCOVERY Fleet has supported hundreds of missions worldwide, advancing ocean conservation. Join the DISCOVERY Program SeaKeepers DISCOVERY Fleet's Global Presence DISCOVERY Fleet members operate as a global network expanding marine conservation across the world's oceans. Learn how you can play a part.

Interactive Bioacoustic Playback As a Tool for Decoding Humpback Whale Language Juvenile White Shark High Resolution Tracking Good Mood IV (11.

3m/37’), Sailing Monohull Galapagos Marine Reserve Shark Research Isla Isabela, The Galapagos Islands River Queen (12m/40’), Pontoon Boat Various Floating Classrooms, Educational Outreach Reef Survey of Pitcairn Island Pitcairn Island, South Pacific Ocean Mola Mola Tagging and Sampling Ammonite (23. 77m/78’), Motor Yacht Pillar Coral Restoration with The Perry Institute for Marine Science (Andros) Archimedes (67.

75m/222’), Motor Yacht BRUV Deployment and Surveys Traverse (15m/51’), Sail Catamaran Projeto Golfinho Rotador, Scientist-led Expedition Fernando de Noronha and the Brazilian coast Traverse (15m/51’), Sail Catamaran Seabed 2030, Citizen Science Southampton, United Kingdom TE STREEP (50m/165’), Motor Yacht Detecting Mediterranean White Sharks with eDNA, Scientist-led Expedition Nymphea (Xm/X'), Motor Yacht Sentosa Learning Festival: Coral Conservation, Sustainability and Singapore’s Southern Islands Legend (Xm/X'), Motor Yacht NUS College Learning Field Trip to Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Uniting for a Plastic-Free Sundarbans Northern Sun (50.

9m/167'), Motor Yacht Deep Reefs of the Far East, Scientist-led Expedition Neo (16m/52’) (need LOA), Motor Yacht Manta Ray Survey with Manta Watch New Zealand Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand Advancing Shark Conservation Golfito, Costa Rica in Golfito Scientist-Led Expeditions DISCOVERY participants host marine conservation researchers on board their vessels to perform groundbreaking “science at sea”.

This offsets the limiting costs for marine scientists, while the vessel owners, guests, and crews have the opportunity to participate in the research and engage with influential, well-known marine scientists. Click to learn more , or use the link below to add your vessel to the fleet. These are smaller-scale research initiatives performed by DISCOVERY Fleet owners, crews, and their guests.

They don’t require scientists to be aboard, but they still make important contributions to ongoing research projects all over the world. Community participation like this is essential, and the variety of opportunities include instrument deployment, sample collection, and wildlife observations. Click to learn more , or use the link below to add your vessel to the fleet.

SeaKeepers offers a variety of free educational programs for students and school groups, inspiring a passion for ocean conservation. DISCOVERY Fleet vessels transform into floating classrooms, offering hands-on learning experiences for students and teachers alike. We work closely with vessel owners to design tailored educational content, ensuring every voyage is impactful and rewarding.

Click to learn more , or use the link below to add your vessel to the fleet. The DISCOVERY Program encompasses multiple initiatives to spread our mission and engage communities worldwide. From seminars and beach cleanups to yachting industry events and hands-on outreach programs, our efforts aim to inspire action and awareness.

This international initiative is powered by our SeaKeepers chapters in the UK, Singapore, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, in coordination with our Miami headquarters. Click to learn more , or use the link below to add your vessel to the fleet. I wanted to do something that I enjoy that’s also for a good cause.

Most organizations just ask for money, but with SeaKeepers, you can actually do something meaningful. So now, I get the best of both worlds: I can use my boat, which I love, while also getting to help others in ocean conservation to make my coast a better place. Steve Marcin Owner, DISCOVERY Fleet vessel Cabrillo “We really want to thank SeaKeepers for facilitating this research project.

We really honestly couldn’t have done it without them. We really appreciate all the time that they’ve dedicated to our project, coming out with us, as well as helping us secure a captain who’s been so amenable to our many needs and technological challenges….

” Marilu Flores Surfrider/Conservation Key, Coral Reef Surveys “Studying marine mammals is challenging from a logistic standpoint, from an engineering standpoint, and anything that we can do to augment our opportunities to get out on the water and engage with these animals, and do our research is something we need to be able to take advantage of.

What SeaKeepers has provided for us is this fantastic and unique opportunity to have more access and more time on the water with individuals who care about these animals; who are providing us these platforms so that we go out and do our work; so that we can go out and train students who are going to be the next generation of stewards for these animals and these ecosystems, and do it in a way that allows us the freedom to do our science without feeling like we’re limited by our opportunities.

” Dr. Ari Friedlaender UC Santa Cruz, Whale Research in Monterey Bay “We are super grateful of the help and support of great organization like The International SeaKeepers Society and our really awesome captain today, Captain Colton Smith. ” Hannah Medd The American Shark Conservancy, Shark Research Dive “The SETI Institute is a non-profit organization and most of our funds are sought through writing successful proposals.

Some of the proposals are able to cover all expenses and some of them can’t. We are appreciative and thankful that SeaKeepers are allowing us to be on this Journey and support Science research at minimal cost to the organization and we’d never be able to do it without you guys. So, thank you so much.

” Debbie Kolyer SETI Institute, SETI Whale Research Expedition “This experience would not be possible without SeaKeepers connecting us to the most amazing couple, Don and Denise; the most amazing platform, the Blue Pearl, for us to do research on. These are very expensive expeditions to mount. They’re very… technically, there’s a lot of requirements.

It takes a lot of people. It takes a lot of coordination. And for SeaKeepers to connect us with such a platform and such wonderful people….

it’s absolutely essential to the project and we have deep appreciation, both for SeaKeepers, and Don and Denise. ” Lisa Walker Whale SETI Team, SETI Whale Research Expedition “We’re super grateful for SeaKeepers in that…being able to pair us with this amazing versatile platform and kind couple, in Don and Denise, to get us out on the water, you know…these opportunities are extremely rare and wonderful and we’re forever grateful.

” Dr. Fred Sharpe Whale SETI Team/Alaska Whale Foundation SETI Whale Research Explore the DISCOVERY Vessel Portal SeaKeepers’ scientific and educational initiatives are only possible through the generosity of private vessel owners. We at SeaKeepers are deeply grateful for the diverse vessels that make up our DISCOVERY Fleet. This portal provides a searchable database of DISCOVERY vessels.

Whether you are a researcher planning an ocean-going expedition or a vessel owner considering joining the fleet, explore our global network of hundreds of vessels and discover how you can make an impact. DISCOVERY Program Results A global network of member vessels advancing marine research, citizen science, and education. Supporting groundbreaking research on marine ecosystems, climate change, ocean plastics, biodiversity.

Driving pioneering projects that encourage scientists and students to explore ocean health. Partnering with top scientists, institutions, environmental groups, and vessel owners to drive ocean conservation. Inspiring students globally through hands-on marine science programs, fostering the next generation of ocean stewards.

We have mobilized volunteers in marine conservation efforts, making a tangible impact on our oceans through hands-on action. Continue to expand our reach across the world, advancing marine research and education on a global scale. Program Opportunities for Vessel Owners You can play a meaningful role in the efforts to protect our seas.

REDWING – Sentinel Glider Intercept, Repair, and Redeployment Mission Expected Time Frame: Mid-March – April 2026 North Atlantic Ocean – potential departure from Azores, Madeira, or Canary Islands (final location dependent on glider drift forecasts) Mapping Coastal Habitats and Fish Movement Using Multispectral Drones Expected Time Frame: Between April - May 2026 Polynesia Mana: Coral Reef Monitoring in French Polynesia Expected Time Frame: March - November 2026 Tikehau, Raiatea, Takapoto, Samoa, and Tonga Mitigation of Ship Strikes on Large Whales Expected Time Frame: Between mid-March to mid-April, 2026 West Coast of Baja California, Mexico, between Tijuana and Cabo San Lucas The Florida Manta Project | Submit a Pledge to Protect FL Mantas Expected Time Frame: Ongoing Great Reef Census – Large-Scale Coral Reef Monitoring Expected Time Frame: September through January (inclusive) Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia Explore Program Opportunities Frequently Asked Questions What is The International SeaKeepers Society?

SeaKeepers is a global registered not-for-profit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. Our initiatives rely on the energy and generosity of people around the world who share our concern for the health of the oceans and, by extension, the survival of our planet. Our core initiative is the DISCOVERY Program, which facilitates marine research and education through partnerships with the boating and academic communities.

We coordinate scientific and educational expeditions through the generosity of vessel owners willing to contribute their time and expertise. These privately owned DISCOVERY Fleet vessels provide access to the world’s oceans for research and education, eliminating the costs and wait times for scientists and teachers. How can I volunteer my vessel for scientific research or conservation efforts?

You can add your vessel to our DISCOVERY Fleet by filling out this form . How do I know if my vessel qualifies? Is it too small or too large?

The DISCOVERY Program accepts vessels of all sizes. Fill out this form to begin the process and see which expeditions match your vessel and your interests. How is my vessel matched to scientists and projects?

room? Our team will work with you to find DISCOVERY Program activities that match your interests and your vessel’s capabilities and itinerary. es as the classroom, allowing direct interaction with marine environments for experiential ocean education.

Can I participate in the scientific or educational activities happening on my vessel? Yes, definitely! Taking part in the activities is one of the most satisfying aspects of joining our DISCOVERY fleet.

What type of acknowledgement will I receive as the owner of a DISCOVERY vessel? Individuals or organizations that provide time aboard their vessels for SeaKeepers activities can choose to be recognized at our many SeaKeepers events, in our newsletters, and on this website.

SeaKeepers International Partners Stay Up to Date with SeaKeepers Learn about our events and expeditions and how you can make a difference " * " indicates required fields This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The International SeaKeepers Society 255 Aragon Avenue, Third Floor X Twitter Brands Solid(2) The International SeaKeepers Society is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (EIN# 58-2385869). Donations to The International SeaKeepers Society are tax deductible to the extent of the law. SeaKeepers United Kingdom Scientist-Led Expeditions DISCOVERY Program Application Research Project Application