Adventure sailors who believe offshore voyaging should leave more than a wake will find a new reason to look at Panexplore’s 2026 expeditions. The company has announced the launch of its Sea Dragon Ocean Fellowship, a program that places ocean scientists and content creators aboard its 72-foot steel-hulled expedition yacht Sea Dragon alongside paying guests and professional crew.

The goal is to combine long-distance sailing with real-world ocean research and storytelling that helps protect the seas cruisers depend on.

“The new Sea Dragon Ocean Fellowship program will make Panexplore expeditions all the more unforgettable and unique,” said Panexplore business manager Sanda Marichal. “Now, in addition to sailing to beautiful, remote destinations, guests aboard Sea Dragon will play a role in uplifting the voices of those protecting our precious seas and oceans.”

For cruising sailors, the idea will feel familiar. Many long-range voyagers already log wildlife sightings, collect water samples or share firsthand accounts of ocean change from anchorages and sea lanes few scientists ever reach. Panexplore is formalizing that spirit by inviting researchers and content partners to join its expedition schedule.

A Proven Bluewater Platform

Sea Dragon returns to service after a year-long refit and a recent Atlantic Rally for Cruisers crossing in support of Project SeaLabs. Built of steel and designed for high-latitude sailing, the 72 footer is a serious offshore platform, capable of handling long passages and remote coastlines.

The 2026 itinerary reflects that range, with voyages planned in the Caribbean, passages between the United States and Bermuda and Arctic sailing along the coasts of Greenland.

For cruisers accustomed to making their own way across oceans, the appeal is not just the destinations but the opportunity to sail with a professional crew while contributing to something larger.

A World Class Skipper

To support the expanded program, Panexplore is also strengthening its onboard leadership. In early 2026, Sea Dragon will be skippered by Emily Caruso, a veteran professional sailor with nearly two decades of experience including training for and competing in around the world races.

A New Way to Sail With Purpose

Ocean scientists and conservation-focused storytellers can apply to join the fellowship by contacting Panexplore directly via the company website panexplore.com or email: hello@panexplore.com. Guests book normally, but will sail alongside researchers gathering data and creating content that amplifies the realities of ocean health.

For long-range cruisers, the model highlights how modern voyaging is evolving, with today’s offshore sailors becoming more active observers, advocates and partners in the stewardship of the ocean.Berths aboard Sea Dragon are limited and Panexplore says they fill quickly, a reminder that expedition style cruising continues to draw sailors who want their miles to matter.

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Instead of flash sales and doorbusters, Mustang Survival is again using Black Friday weekend to support clean oceans. The brand announced it will continue its Blue Friday initiative, donating funds to help remove plastic pollution from coastal waters and encouraging other companies to do the same.

Blue Friday launched in 2019 as a way for outdoor and marine brands to redirect the consumer rush toward environmental impact. For the third year, Mustang Survival will lead the effort and rally partners to contribute a portion of holiday sales to a nonprofit dedicated to ocean health.

“For the past two years, Mustang Survival has opted for Blue Friday instead of Black Friday,” said Anja Mueller, Mustang Survival’s director of marketing and e-commerce. “Our role is to grow the movement, amplify its impact, and invite more companies to take part.”

For 2025, all donations will support the Ocean Legacy Foundation, a Vancouver-based organization focused on removing and recycling ocean plastic. The campaign will help fund large-scale cleanups along British Columbia’s coast. According to the foundation, every $4 donated removes one pound of waste from the Pacific and redirects it to their recycling facility in Richmond, British Columbia.

“It’s rewarding to bring more intention to a season that’s often focused on spending,” Mueller said. “By helping continue the Blue Friday legacy, we’re giving people a chance to shop with purpose and support cleaner oceans.”

Mustang Survival is calling on like-minded marine and outdoor brands to participate and contribute to the Ocean Legacy Foundation this year. Sailors and consumers can also back the effort by choosing to shop with Blue Friday partners.

More information and partner registration details are available at blue-friday.ca.

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A piece of ocean-exploration history is poised for a new chapter. The historic 68-foot catamaran Moulin à Vent, once part of Jacques Cousteau’s pioneering fleet, is undergoing a full restoration in St. Augustine, Florida. The project is led by the Once Was Lost Stewardship Initiative, a nonprofit focused on ocean plastic recycling and awareness.

The team launched a crowdfunding campaign on October 28 with an initial public goal of $50,000. The ultimate target is $300,000 to complete the rebuild and return the boat to service.

Used as a research vessel in the 1980s, Moulin à Vent (“Windmill” in French) will be transformed into a modern, environmentally focused platform for exploration and conservation.

“This is no ordinary boat restoration,” said Kyle Gerecke, CEO of Once Was Lost. “We’re reviving a legacy and giving her a new mission for the oceans in a time when they need it most.”

The plan calls for solar-electric propulsion, recycled-plastic components, and onboard media and research capabilities. Once refit, the catamaran will support marine-debris cleanup, scientific expeditions, educational programs, and documentary storytelling across the Atlantic and Caribbean.

Supporters of the campaign will receive behind-the-scenes access to the refit process, along with memorabilia and opportunities to sail aboard the vessel after her return to service.

Phase one of the effort includes a haul-out, structural repairs, and documentation of the work through a public mini-series and exclusive backer updates. Later phases will focus on outfitting the boat for long-range sustainable operations.

For details or to support the project, visit the Once Was Lost website.

Inspiring the Next Wave of Ocean Stewards

Cousteau’s legacy has shaped generations of sailors, divers, and marine scientists. The restoration team hopes Moulin à Vent will spark new curiosity among young ocean enthusiasts, just as Cousteau’s expeditions did decades ago.

Youth outreach is planned as part of the vessel’s future mission, including education programs, hands-on science, and storytelling aimed at encouraging the next generation of sailors and conservation-minded adventurers to explore and protect the sea.

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The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit known for its efforts to remove plastic from oceans and rivers, has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in a tech-forward push to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). Their ambitious goal? To remove 90 percent of floating ocean plastic by 2040—using AI.

The new initiative will tap into AWS’s cloud computing and machine learning tools to help The Ocean Cleanup detect, predict, and efficiently remove plastic pollution while minimizing risk to marine life. The plan includes developing a “plastic navigation” system—an AI-powered model that integrates data from drones, satellites, and floating trackers to pinpoint debris hotspots in real time. That information can then be used to steer cleanup vessels where they’re most needed.

The collaboration also includes efforts to automate marine life detection. Today, onboard observers are required to ensure protected species aren’t harmed during operations. AI-powered monitoring could eventually reduce this workload and allow more resources to go directly toward removing plastic.

So far, The Ocean Cleanup has removed nearly 64 million pounds of debris globally. With AWS’s tech in the mix, the group hopes to dramatically scale that number.

For cruisers, the takeaway is clear: plastic pollution isn’t just a distant problem—it affects weather, wildlife, and navigation. This partnership is a reminder of how innovation on a global scale can help keep our oceans healthier for everyone afloat.

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Nearly 20 years ago, the Pew Oceans Commission, which I was member of, released a report about the state of our oceans, and it wasn’t pretty. Overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction were threatening the seas. When the commission ended, I knew one thing, as a sailor, I had to help. One of the biggest issues I saw was other sailors and boaters – an amazingly talented and civic-minded group – were not yet activated on behalf of the oceans we love.

A year later, in 2004, I co-founded Sailors for the Sea along with my friend, Dr. David Treadway, another avid sailor. There were 2.5 million self-identified sailors in the United States at that time. We had no idea how our community would respond. Some of my friends thought I was nuts – “David,” they would tell me “sailors want to go to the party after the regatta, not a rally for the oceans.” 

Still, we plunged ahead and set a goal of recruiting one percent, or 25,000 sailors, to join the movement to help save the oceans. We had success in getting attention and created some very important programs including Clean Regattas and Rainy Day Kits (now called KELP, or Kids Environmental Lesson Plans). However, we did not make much headway in hitting our 25,000 number.

Fortunately, we kept at it, ultimately merging with Oceana (one of the largest ocean conservation organizations on the planet), and in the last four years, something has clicked. Much of it is due to the hard work of our team and Oceana, but I think credit should also go to the new generation of sailors entering the sport. They want to become ocean activists and are now finding us. The sailing community seems to be well on its way to becoming a true force for saving the oceans. I am so glad Sailors for the Sea is there to serve them, our community, and the oceans.

Today, we’ve far surpassed our initial goal. In just the last year, we’ve grown an incredible 90% and now count more than 40,000 members—our community of Green Boaters who routinely speak up for our oceans and follow our Green Boating best practices. This is a big win for our oceans. In 2021 alone, more than 47,000 sailors participated in a Clean Regatta—which has potentially kept 675,000 single-use plastic water bottles out of waterways and waste streams—and 768 organizations, sailing programs, and families used our KELP activities to teach kids about marine science and environmental issues. We’ve also now recruited 16 Skippers, volunteer activists who are focused on organizing their local marinas, clubs, and community.

While there have been many gains over the last two decades, the oceans need our help now more than ever. Many of the problems that we uncovered in the Pew Oceans Commission report still exist – coastal development, invasive species, overfishing, and of course climate change are all taking a toll. Finding and implementing solutions takes vigilance, dedication, and commitment. But it’s worth it.  

As sailors, we know that life on land and in the oceans is inextricably linked, and the quality of our life—from the food we eat to the air we breathe—depends on a healthy, thriving, and biodiverse ocean. The good news is that we can achieve this. 

What are some things you can do? First and foremost, be an ocean advocate. Support the people and the policies that can make real, positive changes for our oceans. Whether you’re a sailor or just someone who cares about the oceans, you can sign up to become a Sailors for the Sea “Green Boater”. The more this community grows, the larger impact we can have. Are you involved with any sort of event planning? While our Clean Regattas sustainability initiatives are targeted at water-based events, most of the best practices can be implemented at any event. Have kids in your life? Take a look at our Kids Environmental Lesson Plans. It’s never too early to foster a love for the environment and improve ocean literacy. 

The health of our oceans depends on all of us, and the actions we take today to protect it help secure a better future for everyone.

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