Oceanographer Sylvia A. Earle to Receive Mystic Seaport America and the Sea Award
Black tie gala to be held at St. Regis Hotel in New York City on November 3

Mystic, Conn. ~ World-renowned oceanographer, marine biologist, deep sea explorer and author Sylvia A. Earle will be honored with Mystic Seaport’s America and the Sea Award at a gala held in her honor at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City Wednesday, November 3.
            The Award honors and celebrates those who embrace the scholarship, exploration, adventure, aesthetics, competition and freedom the sea inspires. Previous winners include pre-eminent yacht designer Olin J. Stephens II, author and historian David McCullough, President and CEO of Crowley Maritime Corporation Thomas B. Crowley, Jr. and philanthropist William I. Koch. The gala is the Museum’s premier fundraising event and is by invitation only.
            Earle has been at the forefront of deep ocean exploration for four decades.  She was the first woman to walk freely on the ocean floor, and currently is an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. Her marine preservation quest has most recently been featured in Time magazine (“Saving Our Oceans: One Woman’s Dream to Create National Parks in the Sea”) and National Geographic (“My Blue Wilderness”). Earle was honored with the TED Prize in 2009 for her tireless advocacy of the world’s oceans, and has also received more than 100 national and international awards and honors.

            “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.”
            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, a company that designs, builds, supports and consults on piloted and robotic subsea systems and implements solutions for even the most challenging underwater tasks.

         Earle is also the founder of the Sylvia Earle Alliance (SEA) (www.sylviaearlealliance.org/), a non-profit foundation committed to the creation and expansion of marine protected areas, otherwise known as “Hope Spots.” SEA seeks to raise public awareness about the urgent need for ocean protection and brings together partnerships that foster protection for Hope Spots in the form of policy-based solutions, local conservation programs and public outreach. SEA is a founding partner of Mission Blue (www.mission-blue.org), a multi-year, global partnership initiative aimed at restoring health and productivity to the ocean.

Earle 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.

Additionally, Earle is chair of the Advisory Council for the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies and sits on numerous boards for corporate and nonprofit organizations within the marine biology field.  She earned her B.S. from Florida State University, an M.S. and a Ph.D. from Duke University and has received 15 honorary degrees. 

            For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org/americaandtheseagala.
            Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship on the world. For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org.