Honoring Guy Harvey and Shireen Rahimi during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
The International SeaKeepers Society hosted its Annual Founders Event at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS). Guests celebrated the remarkable achievements of the evening’s honorees, including 2024 SeaKeeper of the Year, Guy Harvey, and 2024 NextGen Awardee, Shireen Rahimi. The event also recognized the 2023-24 DISCOVERY Yacht Fleet, whose support has been instrumental to SeaKeepers programming. Attendees enjoyed an inspiring evening alongside special guests, including Wendy Benchley, the 2014 SeaKeeper of the Year.
The cocktail hour highlighted a silent auction, live music, and 3D Digital Banners showcasing SeaKeepers four chapters with their most impactful work throughout the years. Guests mingled over refreshments, eagerly participating in the auction while enjoying the vibrant displays that celebrated the organization’s significant contributions to marine conservation.
Master of Ceremonies Christopher Fischer opened the stage program by welcoming Chairman Jay Wade to the podium. Tony Gilbert, Chief Programs Officer, recognized the leadership, yacht owners, captains, and ocean scientists who have supported SeaKeepers’ mission. The evening continued with a tribute to Shireen Rahimi, the 2024 NextGen Awardee, followed by the honoring of Guy Harvey, our 2024 SeaKeeper of the Year.
Guests received a virtual gift bag as a special thank you for attending the event, filled with exclusive resources to get involved at SeaKeepers. This thoughtful gesture included links to educational material and access to special content related to marine conservation.
Representatives from participating vessels who contributed to the programming over the past year were honored with engraved certificates in recognition of their support. These certificates were proudly displayed during the cocktail hour, celebrating their commitment to SeaKeepers’ mission.
SeaKeepers would like to thank the following supporters & sponsors for this event: Citizen Science Sponsor, RSA Insurance; Valet Sponsor, YachtWorld; Science Sponsor, Bradford Marine; and Photography Sponsor, Georgia Aquarium.
SeaKeepers would also like to thank our year-round media partners for their ongoing support of our mission and events: Ballyhoo Media, British Marine, British SuperYacht, Charter World, Excellence Luxury Magazine, Global Miami, Marine Industry News, Megayacht News, Rightboat, SEVENSEAS Media, Ocean Media, Superyacht Services Guide, Triton News, Venü Magazine, YATCO, Yacht Style.
About The International SeaKeepers Society
The International SeaKeepers Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates oceanographic research, conservation, and education through direct involvement with the yachting community. Providing educational resources and hands-on marine science experiences to students is the primary focus for ensuring the well-being of our planet. SeaKeepers enables the yachting community to take full advantage of their unique potential to advance marine sciences and raise awareness about global ocean issues.
Founded in Monaco in 1998, The International SeaKeepers Society has been supporting ocean conservation through direct involvement with the yachting community for more than twenty-five years. What started as a data collection program aboard select luxury yachts, has evolved to engage thousands of participants annually with at-sea and coastal programming. Today SeaKeepers’ mission is focused on the DISCOVERY Yacht Program which is comprised of Scientist-Led Expeditions, Citizen Science, Educational Outreach, and Community Engagement.
As a catalyst working with governments, scientists, institutions, and other marine organizations to further its mission, SeaKeepers supports sensible, achievable marine protection and restoration. Activities take place globally through the efforts of headquarters based in the United States with offices located on the east and west coasts, and international representation in Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the South Pacific.