Author: Mystic Seaport Museum

World-renowned oceanographer, marine biologist, deep sea explorer and author

The America and the Sea Award honors and celebrates those who embrace the scholarship, exploration, adventure, aesthetics, competition and freedom the sea inspires.

Sylvia A. Earle received the award Wednesday, November 3, at a gala held in her honor at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City.

The America and the Sea Award recognizes an individual or organization whose contributions to the history, arts or sciences of the sea best exemplify the American spirit and character. Previous winners have included pre-eminent yacht designer Olin J. Stephens II, respected author and historian David McCullough, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation Thomas B. Crowley, Jr. and philanthropist William I. Koch.

“Sylvia has significantly contributed to the maritime traditions that Mystic Seaport was founded to cherish, preserve and share,” said Mystic Seaport President Steve White. “She is an intrepid voyager whose scientific journey has uncovered vast new terrain. The Museum is honored to present Sylvia, former Trustee and friend, with this distinguished award.”

Earle has been at the forefront of deep ocean exploration for four decades. She has been called Her Deepness by The New Yorker and The New York Times, and named Time magazine’s first hero for the planet. She was the first woman to walk freely on the ocean floor, and currently is an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. She most recently led the Google Ocean Advisory Council, a team of 30 marine scientists providing content and scientific oversight for the Ocean in Google Earth.

The legendary oceanographer is the former chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and founder of three marine technology companies including Deep Ocean Exploration and Research, DOER, a company that designs, builds, supports and consults on piloted and robotic subsea systems and implements solutions for even the most challenging underwater tasks.

She has led more than 70 expeditions, including leading 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 broken several deep-diving records, including solo diving to a depth of 1,000 meters (3,300 feet).

As author of more than 175 scientific, technical and popular publications, Earle has contributed a prolific and distinguished body of work to the field of maritime studies. Her research focuses on marine ecosystems with special reference to exploration and the development and use of new technologies for access and effective operations in the deep sea and other remote environments. She is currently proposing to establish a global network of marine protected areas that she calls Hope Spots, marine preserves that range from oceans to reefs.

Earle has also founded the Mission Blue Foundation and is chair of the Advisory Council for the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. She sits on numerous boards for corporate and nonprofit organizations within the marine biology field. 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 received more than 100 national and international awards and honors.

Press & Publications

TIME Magazine

• Saving Our Oceans: One woman’s dream to create national parks in the sea.
• Watch Saving Our Oceans: Sylvia Earle Video

National Geographic

• My Blue Wilderness
• Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer: Explorer-in-Residence

TED Prize in 2009

• Dr. Earle’s Acceptance Speech
• Profile of Sylvia Earle: Oceanographer

Colbert Report, Oct. 2009
Watch Interview

Internationally renowned sailor and avid maritime collector

William I. Koch, founder of the Oxbow Group, philanthropist, avid collector and world-renowned sailor, has been named the recipient of the America and the Sea award which is presented annually by Mystic Seaport.

Koch was presented the award Thursday, October 29, at a gala held in his honor in New York City.

The annual award recognizes an individual or organization whose contributions to the history, arts or sciences of the sea best exemplify the American spirit and character. Previous winners have included pre-eminent yacht designer Olin J. Stephens II, respected author and historian David McCullough and the President and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation, Thomas B. Crowley, Jr.

“This award honors America’s relationship to the sea and the spirit of exploration, adventure, creativity, competition and freedom that inspires us all,” said Mystic Seaport President Steve White. “Like the honorees before him, Bill represents a passion and respect for the sea that clearly parallels Mystic Seaport’s mission – to understand and celebrate how the sea is a part of all of our lives.”

Internationally known as a businessman, chemical engineer, philanthropist, art collector and world-class sailor, Koch received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and began his career working for Koch Industries – an oil refining business founded by his father, Fred C. Koch. In the early 1980s, Koch founded the Oxbow Group, a business focused on building and operating alternative energy power plants and buying, transporting and selling petroleum coke. The diversified holding company has since been consistently recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 500 privately held companies in America.

In his role as owner and president of the Oxbow Group, Koch has helped finance, build, manage and operate clean-energy power plants throughout the United States, the Philippines and Costa Rica. Since 2000, Oxbow has developed a 6.5 million-ton-per-year, low-sulfur, environmentally compliant coal mine; found and developed a large natural gas reserve and become the largest petroleum coke marketer in the world. Oxbow Carbon and Minerals, a trading company Koch founded almost two decades ago, now has offices across the globe, operating in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, St. Croix, China, Egypt, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and India.

Koch’s exceptional business approach stems from his T3 philosophy – talent, teamwork and technology – which encourages employee participation, rewards teamwork and relies on scientific research to make calculated risks.

This T3 philosophy has been carried over to other areas of Koch’s life, specifically on the water. As a world-renowned sailor, Koch raced his maxi yacht, Matador, in numerous regattas in the mid to late 1980s. Soon after, Koch set up a research program at MIT to develop the fastest Maxi in the world, resulting in the building of Matador2 that won the Maxi World Championship in 1990 and 1991.

Koch continued his winning streak in 1992, surprising the world as his specially designed America3 captured the America’s Cup. He was inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame in 1993 and backed the first all-women team to compete for the Cup in 1995. Philanthropy is fundamental to Koch’s philosophy. He funds the William I. Koch Sea Scout Cup, an international sailing competition for young sailors and is Chairman of the America3 Foundation. He recently was awarded the Leadership and Philanthropy Award from the American Ireland Fund.

As an avid collector of art, wine, firearms and maritime memorabilia, Koch’s collections include 19th-century artworks by Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cézanne; images of the American West by Remington and Russell; and brilliant marine canvases by Fitz Henry Lane, Robert Salmon and James E. Butterworth, among others. His collection of models of America’s Cup vessels – from the inception of the race in 1851 to present day – is complete and unequalled, containing not only every boat that won the Cup, but every boat that competed for it, too.

Additionally, Koch’s maritime collection includes campaign and shipboard furniture, maritime instruments and nautical devices, further illustrating not only a collector’s love of art and love of the sea and all of its traditions, but also his respect for and understanding of maritime tradition.

Chairman, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation

Thomas B. Crowley Jr., Chairman, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation, was honored with Mystic Seaport’s third annual America and the Sea Award at a gala dinner held at the Rainbow Room in New York City, Wednesday, October 29.

The annual award recognizes an individual or organization whose contributions to the history, arts or sciences of the sea best exemplify the American spirit and character.

“This award honors and celebrates America’s relationship to the sea and the spirit of exploration, adventure, creativity, competition and freedom that inspires us all,” said Mystic Seaport President and Director Douglas Teeson. “Tom Crowley has demonstrated unparalleled professional achievement while guiding Crowley Maritime Corporation into the 21st century. He has expanded upon his father’s and grandfather’s vision, providing both domestic and international patrons with marine transportation services of the highest caliber.”

Crowley began his role as CEO of the family business in 1994 at the age of 27. Under his leadership, the company’s annual revenues have exceeded $1.5 billion and the corporation has become one of the largest United States flag marine transportation companies, the leading container shipping line in Latin America and the Caribbean Basin and the world’s largest tug and barge operator. With corporate headquarters in Jacksonville, FL, the worldwide diversified maritime company has expanded to more than 4,100 employees and operates a fleet numbering more than 210 vessels. Crowley continues to develop the business his grandfather founded in 1892, focusing on the corporation’s expertise on water while also maximizing opportunities for growth in new areas of business.

In fact, the company now has the following lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are the following services: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales.

Crowley Maritime Corporation’s 116 years of growth and success have facilitated its leadership role within the industry as it relates to corporate social responsibility. In addition to environmental and charitable outreach initiatives, a key area of focus has been education. The company has given tens of thousands of dollars to deserving college students from Alaska to Central America and points in between in the name of Tom’s father, Thomas B. Crowley, Sr., who guided the company to extraordinary heights before passing away in 1994.

In 2002, Crowley established the Crowley Maritime Corporation Scholarship and the Crowley Maritime Corporation Summer Internship, both of which benefit students attending the Williams-Mystic Program at Mystic Seaport who demonstrate superior academic performance and financial need. Each fall, Crowley hosts the Williams-Mystic students onboard one of his ocean-going tugs in San Francisco Bay. Every spring, he provides students with a seminar tour of the Seattle harbor.

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author and Historian

On Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at the Rainbow Room, New York City, David McCullough was honored with the second annual America and the Sea Award presented by Mystic Seaport. The award recognizes an individual or organization whose contributions to the history, arts or sciences of the sea best exemplify the American spirit and character. The Award honors and celebrates those who embrace the scholarship, exploration, adventure, aesthetics, competition and freedom the sea inspires.

David McCullough has been widely acclaimed as a “master of the art of narrative history, and a matchless writer.” He is two-time winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. He has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and has received more than 40 honorary degrees. In December 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.

His books have been praised for their scholarship and vibrant prose providing unique insights into American life and character. Mr. McCullough’s most recent book, 1776, was the number one New York Times national bestseller in both hardcover and paperback, and has been called, “brilliant…powerful, a classic.” His previous work, John Adams, remains one of the most critically acclaimed and widely read American biographies of all time. In March 2008, John Adams will be made into an HBO mini-series, produced by Tom Hanks and starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney as John and Abigail Adams.

Among the guests expected to be on hand to honor McCullough will be Ric Burns, documentary filmmaker. Dr. William M. Fowler, Jr., the distinguished professor of history from Northeastern University will make remarks prior to the presentation of the Award.

Most successful and admired yacht designer of the 20th century

Olin Stephens II was named the first recipient of the America and the Sea Award presented by Mystic Seaport, the nation’s leading maritime museum.

Widely recognized as the most respected, successful and admired yacht designer of the 20th century, Stephens was recognized at a dinner in his honor November 15 at the St. Regis Hotel in New York.

Mystic Seaport Chairman of the Board Bill Forster and Gary Jobson, master of ceremonies at the event, presented the award to Olin Stephens III, who accepted on behalf of his father, who was unable to attend the event.

By creating the Award, Mystic Seaport President and Director Doug Teeson said the Museum recognizes individuals or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the maritime world.

“This award honors and celebrates America’s relationship to the sea and the spirit of exploration, adventure, creativity, competition and freedom that inspires us all,” Teeson said. “Olin Stephens embodies unparalleled personal and professional achievement. From America’s Cup boats to the Lightning class, Olin’s boats appeal to many and his scope is international. He has inspired a whole generation of boat designers–proving he is equal part designer and teacher.”

Stephens, who began his design career as an apprentice to Philip Rhodes at 19, joined his brother, Rod, and Drake Sparkman in 1929 to establish Sparkman & Stephens. When Dorade, his first ocean-racing yacht, captured the 1931 Trans-Atlantic Race, Stephens attributed it simply to luck. More so, it was a sign of things to come.

Two-time America’s Cup winners Intrepid and Courageous were designed by Stephens, as were Freedom, Constellation, Columbia, and Ranger, the first America’s Cup yacht developed through model testing in a towing tank.

While Stephens may be best known for his Cup designs, as well as other vessels like Finisterre, Brilliant and Stormy Weather, his Lightning class design has had a significant impact on the world of sailing. The Lightning class is a mainstay of many youth sailing programs. It was also designed as an affordable family day-sailor and racing boat. More than 15,000 have been built, making it one of the most popular and competitive one-design classes in the world. More importantly, the Lightning class changed sailing in the 20th century from a sport for the privileged to a sport available to all.