The Greater Seattle region was recently host to the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, a three-masted barque rigged sail training vessel that was docked at the Port of Seattle all last week as part of the inaugural One Ocean Week.

“A global celebration of ocean innovation and collaboration,” One Ocean Week was organized by Maritime Blue, a great organization that brings together ocean leaders, innovators, researchers, startups, policymakers, artists, educators, and communities to accelerate solutions for a sustainable, inclusive maritime future.

Seattle welcomed attendees not only from Norway – where the Statsraad was constructed in 1914 – but also from my very own hometown of Charleston, South Carolina.

Why Charleston you may ask? Well, it just so happens that my mother and father sailed on the Statsraad in the early 1970s. My father was the ship doctor, and my mother was the art teacher.

My father did not attend, but my mom jumped on the excuse to visit, and we enjoyed a warm gathering on the ship to meet the captain and crew and share an enjoyable Norwegian dinner with other alumni that came to town. It was also an opportunity to tour the ship and appreciate many of the upgrades that have occurred in the past 50+ years.

As someone who has been a surfer since 11 years of age, fisherman, and thalassophile, I am biologically invested, as we all are, in the health of our ocean environments. Thank you to the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, UN Decade of Ocean Science, and Maritime Blue for raising awareness and supporting ongoing ocean research and innovation to create a more sustainable future for our one planet. And for creating such a memorable time with my mother!