Founded in 1972, the Spirit of Adventure Trust has dedicated over 50 years to empowering the youth of New Zealand through its unique character development program. On board its ship, The Spirit of New Zealand, young seafarers will not only learn to sail, but they’ll also have an opportunity to develop skills in communication, leadership, confidence, and self-reliance, among others. To date, over 85,000 young people have participated in a youth development voyage.
Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between The Nippon Foundation and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), which seeks to inspire the complete mapping of the world’s oceans by 2030 and to compile all the data into the freely available GEBCO Ocean Map. The Project is formally endorsed as a Decade Action of the UN Ocean Decade. GEBCO is a joint program of the IHO and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and is the only organization with a mandate to map the entire ocean floor.
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 program. With an appreciation of the importance of collecting depth data, McCracken championed the initiative to install a data logger on board the ship.
“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 centered 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.”
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 organization 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.”
All data collected and shared with the Seabed 2030 project is included in the free and publicly available GEBCO global grid.
