Plenty of companies have taglines, but it’s unusual to learn of one that’s hidden from public view. That’s been the situation at the yacht-brokerage site YachtWorld for the past several years, as a way of inspiring staff. As Jessica Muffett (above, middle), publisher emeritus of YachtWorld.com, explains, the following became visible whenever an employee logged in, from the day the company was founded to the present: “Use your powers to do good.”
Muffett and her team (including Ian Atkins, vice president of YachtWorld, pictured above to the right) are following up on that pledge with the creation of the YachtWorld Foundation, a nonprofit that will provide funds to other nonprofits and people who strive to protect the world’s oceans. The first beneficiary, and the only one for 2011: The International SeaKeepers Society.
As previous Megayacht News stories have explained, The International SeaKeepers Society was founded in 1998 by a group of yacht owners who were shocked by the deteriorating conditions of the seas and wanted to fund research to address it. This led to the creation of an ocean and atmospheric monitoring system installed first aboard yachts, and now aboard everything from cruise ships to sea buoys. It provides vital data to scientists around the world every few minutes, around the clock.
“On behalf of SeaKeepers everywhere, we are humbled and honored to be selected by the world’s leading website for yacht buyers as its charitable side’s beneficiary,” says Michael T. Moore (above left), chairman of the board of The International SeaKeepers Society. “We will work hard to prove ourselves worthy of this honor and generosity.” Muffet adds, “I did not dream we would develop the powerful global services we offer today, but I did dream I could someday start a non-profit foundation for YachtWorld, promoting social responsibility for protecting the essential habitat we all love and share, the world’s oceans.”
The YachtWorld Foundation should prove to be powerful in creating awareness of and generating further donations for The International SeaKeepers Society. YachtWorld reports 2.5 million site visitors each month. In fact, SeaKeepers is seeking more yacht owners interested in being “hosts” for the ocean and atmospheric monitoring system, called the SeaKeeper 1000. If interested, call +1 (954) 766-7100, or send an email.
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