The Voyage of the Kaisei is an on-going “Peace-Keeping” initiative that utilizes education and research to promote a fundamental change in the international attitude toward its ocean.  The Kaisei’s enlightening programs created by SOS are geared towards students of all ages and all countries.  The Sailing Academy is a foreign exchange program for younger students interested in cultural harmony and the pursuit of building life-long friendships with people from other places.  

Watch Video Clips: from the New EcoWatch Video

Sunday August 1^st, 2004 Kaisei set sail for the island of Ni’ihau with some lucky local students and a United Nations Film crew.  These students learned how to sail a brigantine tall ship, ocean stewardship, and coral reef monitoring. Kaisei anchored off the North shore of Ni’ihau that evening and the crew was treated to a spectacular moonrise over the cliffs.  The boat weighed anchor the next morning to run into the beginning of the tropical storm that blasted the island last Wednesday.  Though the trip was slow returning, Kaisei and its professional crew arrived safely back in Hanalei late the next day.  

A percent of Kaisei’s fuel was BioDiesel, or recycled vegetable oil donated by Pacific BioDiesel of Maui.  Save Our Seas incorporates alternative energy sources as part of a conscious effort to decrease the world’s reliance on petro-chemicals.  The new SOS alternative energy program focuses on Solar Plus energy, Wind generated energy, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, BioDiesel, and other viable alternative fuel sources.

The Tropic Bird is owned by Terry Donnelly of Blue Dolphin Charters, Ltd. Terry has been in the ocean recreation and tourist business on Kauai since 1980. He started out teaching scuba diving and now has a charter boat business, Blue Dolphin Charters, Ltd.

On July 7^th, 2003, The Tropic Bird, voyaged down the Na Pali Coast to Nualolo Kai. (The first OP @ Sea trip) Students from the Youth Conservation Corp (YCC), and the Kaua'i Children’s Discovery Museum (KCDM) were taught by local Educators about the Na Pali coast on the way to Nualolo Kai.  At Nualolo Kai, the YCC was led by Sabra Kauka, President of the Na Pali Coast Ohana, to the ancient fishing village and temple site, and the students preformed preservation work and cultural activities.  The KCDM was led by Donna Brown of REEF.org, and Maui Community College, Marine Option Program in a fish count and identification that will be added to a global database.  Dave Raney led Reef Check divers on a reef survey that will be added to their global database.

On Sunday, October 5th, 2003, The Tropic Bird once again had a successful trip educating students from the Kaua'i Children’s Discovery Museum (KCDM) and Myron B. Thompson Academy (MBTA).  Students and community members were taught by local Educators, from UH Sea Grant, Reef Check, NOAA, and SOS about the flora, fauna and geology of Kipu Kai and Maha’ulepu.  A Reef Check Survey was preformed within the Nawiliwili harbor inside the break wall, and a myriad of interesting and unique reef creatures and fish were found and surveyed.  This trip was filmed by Storyteller Media, an international film crew from Australia.

February 8, 2004 Kaua'i Children’s Discovery Museum (KCDM) and Myron B. Thompson Academy (MBTA).  Students and community members voyaged to Kipu Kai to survey the south side of the bay and watch Humpback Whales. 

Drug Free Learning Environment: As part of the militaries zero tolerance for drugs, the U.S. Coast Guard  (USCG) implemented a random drug-testing program for all charter boats. This random drug-testing program has been very effective. Students actively participate in this program and are rewarded with incentives (like boat or helicopter trips, t-shirts etc.) donated from the community, a great deterrent for drugs. Students, crew, and captains will avoid certain situations because drugs may be around.

SOS sends out a big Mahalo to Terry Donnelly of Blue Dolphin Charters for his dedication to our community!  Terry Received our first coconut award!

As students participate on the research vessels, they are exposed to ideas in resource conservation by using environmental earth-friendly products and cleaning supplies, alternative energy sources like bio-diesel, and promoting recycling. These vessels are the SOS model for their yearly “SOS Coconut Award.” This award is given to local businesses that use environmental practices. Award winning businesses are chosen by the students.

For more information  SOS@SaveOurSeas.Org

INTERN PROGRAM!