History

THE AROUND THE AMERICAS HISTORIC EXPEDITION, 2009-10

It began with a simple idea. Take a map and draw a circle around The Americas. Suddenly, it becomes clear that what you are looking at is not two continents and two oceans, but one island, surrounded by one ocean—all deeply interconnected.

In the realm of ocean exploration, there are not many ‘firsts.’ In May 2009, a group of passionate and committed sailors, scientists, educators and journalists set out to circumnavigate that “island”—the first time it had ever been done. During this 13-month epic journey, they covered 25,000 nautical miles and made 50 port calls in more than a dozen countries. Their mission was to explain, to interpret, to document and to share with the widest possible audience, the threats to our oceans and the need to take action to preserve them.

Around The Americas proved to those involved, including science and educational partners, sponsors and donors, that a well-organized adventure-based sailing voyage can have a tremendously powerful and broad reach into the formal and informal education worlds.

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AROUND THE AMERICAS ABOARD OCEAN WATCH

Ocean Watch followed a dual purpose: to collect scientific data along the 27,500-mile route and to educate children, families and communities in 50 ports.

  • 7,000+ people reached through tours and presentations during port visits—including 4,000+ students

  • 1,000+ additional students reached via distance learning

  • 400+ downloads of free curriculum

  • 100+ registered from 11 countries / 18 states

  • Online community of more than 1,500

  • 11.2 million total media impressions including Reuters, USA Today, Daily News and msnbc.com

  • 60,000+ images, 80+ hours of video footage

  • 250 Crew & Captain’s Logs distributed to thousands of people

  • Publication of One Island, One Ocean, a 240-page coffee-table book that documents this epic-environmental journey

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