Youth Making Ripples, an extension of the nonprofit organization Beneath The Waves, students have recently had a unique opportunity to enjoy an amazing outreach program aboard the DISCOVERY charter yacht Defiance, hosted by The International SeaKeepers Society and Global Oceans. The day trip aboard the 72ft Mangusta motor yacht Defiance enabled Youth Making Ripples Film Festival award recipients to learn more about the local marine ecosystems and coral reef system of the fantastic Florida yacht charter destination – Miami.
Group shot of the outreach program onboard the 72ft Mangusta charter yacht DEFIANCE
The numerous expedition comprised Dr. Lauren Toth, a researcher at the United States Geological Survey situated in St. Petersburg, Florida, Dr. Brooke Gintert, a coral reef scientist from the University of Miami, Tom Fitz, a freelance underwater photographer and videographer, Carl Kesser, a professional cinematographer, as well as Jason Kesser, from Shake 108, a local nonprofit radio station.
During the trip, several aspects of reef research were explored by Youth Making Ripples Film Festival award-winner, Sara Beeler, and four other students from Coral Shores High School in Tavernier. First, the students learned about the geologic history of coral reefs by analyzing coral core samples. Subsequently, Dr. Gintert shared her work from the Underwater Landscape Mosaics for Coral Reef Mapping and Monitoring Program at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and explained how she uses photography to map coral reefs through mosaics. These mosaics provide a means of monitoring coral reefs over time.
Freelance underwater photographer, Tom Fitz, was also present and advised the students on creating underwater footage and demonstrated the use of his professional underwater camera equipment.
After the students learnt more about the group’s reef research, everyone enjoyed snorkeling Rainbow and Emerald Reefs offshore of Key Biscayne – a unique chance to experience coral reefs firsthand.
It was the third outreach event for Global Ocean’s, luxury yacht Defiance. In 2014, she reached Newport, Rhode Island to educate the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County about marine pollution, and prior to that, to Bimini to deploy drifters and discuss ocean currents with a group of Bahamian school children.
Beneath the Waves- Youth Making Ripples represents a nonprofit film competition devoted to engaging students in marine awareness and conservation through the power of film. Elementary, middle, and high school-aged students are encouraged to create and submit a short film on the marine-related topic or issue of their choice.
