Every month, superyacht owners reveal where they are in the world and share their future plans. This month, BOAT speaks to the owner of Perini Navi's 60-metre yacht Seahawk, Adam Alpert, who previously spoke about getting his hands dirty with philanthropic projects. Two years on, he expands on how his yacht serves as a platform for scientific studies and activism efforts around the globe.
Adam Alpert
Yacht: Seahawk
Length: 60m
Year: 2013
Location: Arafura Sea
You’ve had a busy season!
We’ve been cruising the South Pacific all year. We spent some time in the Solomon Islands more recently, helping to secure approval for a new Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) near Munda, New Georgia island. We hosted all local stakeholders on board the yacht and assisted in the formulation of a new MoU detailing the boundaries of the new protected area and rules for enforcement.
Why was it important to protect this area?
It is here that much of the territory’s fish spawning occurs. But like many of the world’s marine environments, overfishing has led to a significant reduction in fish stocks. Despite some rules limiting harvesting, lack of formal federal government endorsement combined with poor enforcement of existing restrictions has served to accelerate the decline.
How does a superyacht like Seahawk help?
Part of the explanation is that the boat’s stature served to enhance the gravitas of the moment. The crew put on a very regal event for our emissary guests. My wife, Gisela, and I also helped guide the principals involved to create the memo. Mostly, though, the yacht reinforced the point that protecting marine life equals improvement in diversity and fish stocks, which in turn equals economic benefit across all sectors and enhanced tourism (e.g. more superyachts visiting).
Have you done anything like this before?
Seahawk’s science and community outreach work has ranged from building a new puppy facility for the Bonaire animal shelter to studying whale shark migration around Darwin and Wolf Island, Galápagos. The yacht has served as a platform for many scientific studies including research to understand the migration patterns of giant pelagic mantas in Socorro, Mexico, and tiger sharks transiting the Tuamotu islands.
The boat has also performed as a benefactor for support of coastal community school systems, sponsoring both the Swim & Sail programme created in San Cristóbal, Galápagos, and computer learning initiative implemented at the Makemo Arikitamiro Primary School in the Tuamotus.
Where are you heading next?
We are presently about 200 nautical miles north of Cairns, Australia, en route to Tual, Indonesia. Once there, in collaboration with Yacht Aid Global, we will be supporting a science project focused on the study of pupping grounds for both reef mantas and walking sharks. Everyone on board enjoys getting involved in these projects, and my hope is other yacht owners will be inspired to do something similar.
First published in the January 2025 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.