World-renowned oceanographer, marine biologist,deep sea explorer and author Sylvia A. Earle has been named the recipient ofMystic Seaport’s America and the Sea Award. The Award honors and celebratesthose who embrace the scholarship, exploration, adventure, aesthetics,competition and freedom the sea inspires.
Earle will receive the award Wednesday, November3, at a gala held in her honor at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. Thisblack tie affair is Mystic Seaport’s premier fundraising event, and is byinvitation only.
The America and the Sea Award recognizes anindividual or organization whose contributions to the history, arts or sciencesof the sea best exemplify the American spirit and character. Previous winnershave included pre-eminent yacht designer Olin J. Stephens II, respected authorand historian David McCullough, President and CEO of Crowley MaritimeCorporation Thomas B. Crowley, Jr. and philanthropist William I. Koch.
"Sylvia has significantly contributed to themaritime traditions that Mystic Seaport was founded to cherish, preserve andshare," said Mystic Seaport President Steve White. "She is an intrepid voyagerwhose scientific journey has uncovered vast new terrain. The Museum is honoredto present Sylvia, former Trustee and friend, with this distinguished award."
Earle has been at the forefront of deep oceanexploration for four decades. She has been called Her Deepness by The NewYorker and The New York Times, and named Time magazine’s first hero for theplanet. She was the first woman to walk freely on the ocean floor, andcurrently is an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. Shemost recently led the Google Ocean Advisory Council, a team of 30 marinescientists providing content and scientific oversight for the Ocean in GoogleEarth.
The legendary oceanographer is the former chiefscientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) andfounder of three marine technology companies including Deep Ocean Explorationand Research, DOER, a company that designs, builds, supports and consults onpiloted and robotic subsea systems and implements solutions for even the mostchallenging underwater tasks.
She has led more than 70 expeditions, includingleading the first team of women aquanauts during the Tektite Project in 1970,and has logged more than 7,000 hours underwater. In addition, she has brokenseveral deep-diving records, including solo diving to a depth of 1,000 meters(3,300 feet).
As author of more than 175 scientific, technicaland popular publications, Earle has contributed a prolific and distinguishedbody of work to the field of maritime studies. Her research focuses on marineecosystems with special reference to exploration and the development and use ofnew technologies for access and effective operations in the deep sea and otherremote environments. She is currently proposing to establish a global networkof marine protected areas that she calls Hope Spots, marine preserves thatrange from oceans to reefs.
Earle has also founded the Mission BlueFoundation (www.mission-blue.org) and is chair of the Advisory Council for theHarte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. She sits on numerousboards for corporate and nonprofit organizations within the marine biologyfield. Earle earned her B.S. from Florida State University, an M.S. and a Ph.D.from Duke University and has received 15 honorary degrees. She has receivedmore than 100 national and international awards and honors.
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritimemuseum. Currently celebrating its 80th anniversary, the Museum is home to fourNational Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the lastwooden whaleship on the world. For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org.
The Day.com, 14 May, 2010
Source: http://www.theday.com/article/20100514/USR04/100519822/-1/zip06
