About Sealife Conservation, Inc.
Sealife Conservation is a non-profit organization committed to inspiring ocean conservation by teaching individuals about the threats our oceans currently face. In the past four years over 14,000 individuals have shared the beauty of our marine world while sailing with us aboard the Derek M. Baylis, our purpose-built 65-foot sailing research vessel.
Today, our efforts to inspire individuals to take direct action are a unique step in the conservation movement. Only through improved understanding of ocean denizens and systems can we reduce ocean pollution and increase our support of healthy fisheries.
To increase community understanding of the threat of trash to oceanic populations, Sealife Conservation is engaged in original research documenting the volume, distribution and sources of trash in the North Pacific Ocean. This effort is being supported by private and public grants.
Sealife Conservation also makes the Derek M. Baylis available for charter. If your research or social function would benefit from a virtually silent and eco-friendly platform with an ocean view, please contact us.
David Robinson – Managing Director
David started as relief captain on board the Derek M Baylis. His background is in business and the marine industry, where he has worked since age 15 in a wide range of positions.
After sailing to the South Pacific in 1999–2001 and witnessing firsthand the extent of pollution in the ocean’s most isolated islands, Dave's concern about human impact on our oceans grew to impassioned conservation efforts. He now promotes improved stewardship of our oceans by teaching individuals about the risks posed by trash afloat and motivating them to participate in caring for our waters. In his fifth year with Sealife Conservation, Dave also advocates for laws that reduce waste and support cleaner oceans around the world.
Mark Kocina – Master, Derek M. Baylis
Mark’s 130,000 miles and 25 years of sailing experience provide a
solid base for managing our sailing operations onboard the Derek M
Baylis. He greatly enjoys sharing information about the wonders of our
oceans and the need to protect them.
With his wife Dr. Jennifer Carrol he has led annual scientific expeditions for the collection of sea sponges and deep–water algae and fungi for the marine natural products research labs of the University of California, Santa Cruz and the University of the Virgin Islands in an effort to search for new drug discoveries from the sea in the fight against cancer. His prior charge was the sailing vessel "2041," where he not only managed crew and vessel operations but also helped deliver Robert Swan’s message for cleaner energy.
Sam Kesten – Mate
From traditional schooners, ultra-high performance trimarans, sailmaking and buoy racing, Sam’s varied background makes him ideal for working on a boat as multi-faceted as the Derek M. Baylis.
Sam’s passion for ocean conservation was sparked in 2007 while sailing down the Mexican coast, seeing large amounts of balloons and grocery bags in the water even when hundreds of miles offshore. With an education in Political Science and Business, he is now singularly focused on the promotion of environmentally sound lobbying and green economics.
