Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM), today announced its partnership with The International SeaKeepers Company (SeaKeepers), a non-profit organization that promotes oceanographic research, conservation, and education through direct involvement with the yachting community.

GCCM is the first shipyard and the second marina in Australia to form a partnership in marine conservation with SeaKeepers.

“GCCM’s commitment to continued environmental improvement has set the benchmark for Marina’s worldwide and we are very excited to partner with SeaKeepers” said Andrew Chapman CMM, Chief Operating Officer. “As an accredited Clean Marina and Fish Friendly Marina, GCCM are very committed to this goal. By partnering with SeaKeepers, we can help raise awareness of the importance of ocean conservation to our boaties.”

GCCM’s customers can help SeaKeepers map the Global seabed by participating in the DISCOVERY Yacht Program or by donating to SeaKeepers. The DISCOVERY Yacht Program is an initiative that provides yacht owners with the opportunity to collect valuable oceanographic data while cruising and send it to SeaKeepers for research purposes. Vessel involvement ranges from participating in concise seabed mapping, as part of The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2023 Project, to monitoring manta rays in Australian waters, as part of Project Manta.

“Located between Sydney and the Whitsundays, we are the chosen refit stop-over for many yachts and Superyachts migrating south and north” says Chapman. “We will suggest they participate to this program, these big travellers will increase the data about the seabed tremendously.”

“We are excited to have GCCM as a partner in our Marina Partner Program,” said Melissa White, Program Development Manager at SeaKeepers. “GCCM is a well-respected marina and shipyard, and they share our commitment to protecting the marine environment. By working together and considering the number of vessels coming to GCCM for their refit needs, we can reach a wider audience and raise awareness of the importance of ocean conservation. In addition to mobilising more vessels to engage with ocean conservation, research and education, the Marina Partner Program is key to promoting best boating practices and protecting the ocean by adopting responsible measures as a vessel owner.”

For information on The International SeaKeepers Society, visit seakeepers.org