According to the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030, They are pleased to announce their latest partnership with the Spirit of Adventure Trust, a renowned not-for-profit youth development organisation based in New Zealand.
The collaboration leverages the Spirit of Adventure Trust’s role in promoting youth development through the marine environment and maritime experiences, alongside Seabed 2030’s mission of highlighting the importance of a fully mapped seafloor, to enhance our understanding of the ocean.
The Spirit of Adventure Trust
Founded in 1972, the Spirit of Adventure Trust has spent over five decades fostering the development of young New Zealanders through its unique character-building programs. On board their ship, The Spirit of New Zealand, young participants gain essential life skills such as communication, leadership, confidence, and self-reliance. To date, more than 85,000 youth have embarked on these transformative voyages.
Seabed 2030 is a collaborative initiative between The Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), with the ambitious goal of mapping the entire world’s ocean by 2030. The data collected will be freely available in the GEBCO Ocean Map. The project, endorsed as a Decade Action of the UN Ocean Decade, is the only program with a mandate to map the entire ocean floor, under the auspices of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
Belen Jimenez, a Data Manager at Seabed 2030’s Pacific Ocean Regional Center – hosted at New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) – recently went on board The Spirit of New Zealand. She was joined by a representative from Seabed 2030’s long-standing partner, the International SeaKeepers Society, and a student from the New Zealand Women in Hydro 2024 cohort.
All were welcomed on board by third mate Eliza McCracken, an alumnus of last year’s Women in Hydro programme. With an appreciation of the importance of collecting depth data, McCracken championed the initiative to install a data logger on board the ship.
The Spirit of New Zealand
“Boarding The Spirit of New Zealand, which has played such a significant role in fostering a sense of environmental responsibility among young New Zealanders, was an incredible experience,” said Belen Jimenez. “The crew’s hospitality made the visit truly great, especially as Eliza guided us in climbing the mast – a moment capped by hoisting the Seabed 2030 flag.
“The voyage also offered a valuable opportunity to discuss potential future initiatives centred on education and seabed mapping.”
Commenting on the partnership, CEO of the Spirit of Adventure Trust Bruce Pilbrow said: “Our mission has always been to offer young New Zealanders the opportunity to develop leadership, independence, and community spirit through the medium of the sea. This partnership with Seabed 2030 aligns well with our mission, as it brings a new dimension to our programs by integrating education about the critical importance of understanding the ocean floor.
“By working together with Seabed 2030, we can provide our young participants with unique insights into marine science and the vital role it plays in safeguarding the future of the planet.”
Self-Development & Comprehensive Understanding
Seabed 2030 Project Director Jamie McMichael-Phillips said: “The ocean offers a multitude of benefits, and it’s wonderful to see the Spirit of Adventure Trust using it as a valuable medium to encourage self-development among young people.
“We’re delighted to welcome the organisation as the latest partner of Seabed 2030 – together, we can inspire and educate the next generation on the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of the planet.”
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Source: Seabed 2030
