At Dockwa, we believe life is better when people spend more time on the water, connected to nature and to each other. That belief is rooted in a shared love for life on the water and a deep respect for the places that make it possible. That’s why we’re excited to partner with The International SeaKeepers Society to support their efforts to advance ocean science, conservation, and education.
SeaKeepers is showing what’s possible when the boating community comes together around something bigger than a single voyage or season. By partnering with private vessels and bringing scientists, students, and cruisers together through hands-on discovery, their work is helping protect the waters we all depend on. This is the story of how time at sea can become real-world impact, and how each of us can play a part.
Who Takes Care of the Water After We Leave the Dock?
The boating community is uniquely positioned to protect the waterways we rely on — here’s how SeaKeepers is helping turn time on the water into real impact.
From the wake behind a boat to the quiet of a sunrise over the marina, the ocean is part of our lives in ways most people don’t notice — until it changes. For nearly 30 years, The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers) has worked with the people who live, work, and explore on the water, because those who know the ocean best are the ones who can protect it.
Who We Are: Turning Vessels Into Platforms for Science and Learning
SeaKeepers connects boaters, marinas, and maritime professionals with scientists and educators to make every vessel a tool for real-world ocean impact. Through our DISCOVERY Program, members support scientist-led expeditions, contribute to citizen science projects, and help collect the data needed to understand and protect marine ecosystems.
From exploring remote areas and collecting important data to giving students and local communities hands-on experiences with the ocean, SeaKeepers helps boaters and marinas turn time on the water into real impact.
Why the Maritime Community Matters
Boaters and marinas play a direct role in protecting the ocean. Recreational vessels provide access to offshore and remote areas that scientists might not otherwise reach, while marinas connect SeaKeepers to the owners and operators who make this work possible.
By participating in programs like the DISCOVERY Program, vessel owners help researchers allocate more of their budgets to science instead of chartering boats, collecting data for marine research, citizen science, and conservation projects. Boaters and marina operators see changes in water quality, coastal ecosystems, and marine life firsthand — insights that are critical to shaping practical, on-the-water solutions.
SeaKeepers partners with this community to ensure that scientific research and conservation efforts are informed by real-world experience, creating a network of boaters, marinas, and maritime professionals who actively contribute to ocean stewardship.
What We Do, and Why It Matters
SeaKeepers’ mission comes to life through programs that directly support science, conservation, and education. Over the years, our network has enabled more than 200 expeditions and 700 at-sea research days, working with over 200 vessels and 1,100 researchers to collect vital data and advance marine science. By partnering with recreational boaters, scientists are able to redirect over $1.6 million that would have gone to chartering vessels directly into research and conservation.
Our work also extends to education and community engagement. SeaKeepers has reached 15,000 students through hands-on learning experiences and public outreach, while volunteers have helped remove over 35,000 pounds of marine debris from shorelines and waterways.
These efforts rely on collaboration — between scientists and vessel owners, educators and marinas, industry leaders and local communities. Together, we are building a more informed, engaged, and action-oriented maritime community, turning time on the water into measurable impact for the ocean.
Looking Forward
Protecting the ocean is not the responsibility of one group or sector — it’s a shared effort that depends on cooperation, access, and commitment.
SeaKeepers is proud to work alongside the maritime community to support the research, learning, and partnerships that will shape the future of ocean stewardship. By bringing people together around a common purpose, we help ensure the ocean remains healthy and accessible for generations to come.
You can make a difference today. Fill out the free DISCOVERY Program application to donate time aboard your vessel and support scientist-led research, citizen science, and educational programs. Share this opportunity with your community, and help SeaKeepers turn your time on the water into real impact. Become a SeaKeeper and join the network making a measurable difference for the ocean.
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