World Ocean(s) Day, Sunday, June 8
This Sunday is World Ocean(s) Day. Actually there are two collaborating events. One is the UN World Oceans Day with an “s,” founded in 2008. The second event is World Ocean Day, started in 1992 by The Ocean Project. The UN World Oceans Day focuses on international cooperation, policy, and science-based marine conservation. World Ocean Day leans toward grassroots efforts with youth participation in community actions like beach cleanups, petitions, workshops, and local action. Both are working together to connect the world to the 70% of our planet that keeps us all alive, and which is where we go sailing. It’s a good day to be out on the Bay. 
Sailing is always more interesting on a clean, healthy ocean and surrounded by abundant marine life. As a bonus, Richmond Yacht Club member Mike Josselyn sent news that, on the eve of World Ocean(s) Day, the Bay’s only marine research facility, the Romberg Center in Tiburon, received a six-month reprieve from its impending closure. The hope comes as the result of local fundraising and recent negotiations started with a foundation interested in supporting the center. This gives the research center until about January 2026 to work out an arrangement to keep the center open for the long term.
Another ocean bonus for sailors has been the large number of gray whales we’ve seen this year while sailing. Scientists estimate there have been about 33 different whales on the Bay, though, unfortunately, the frequent sightings have been accompanied by an unusually high number of whale deaths in Northern California. That number is currently at 15. Three of the deaths appear to be ship strikes, while the reasons for the other deaths remain a mystery. It’s a high number of deaths this year, though S.F. Gate reported that deaths along the whole coast are not far out of line from normal annual totals.
In Southern California the San Diego Maritime Museum will be celebrating World Ocean(s) Day with complimentary screenings of David Attenborough’s new documentary Ocean, included with general admission and free to museum members. The documentary will be shown at the Maritime Museum of San Diego aboard the museum’s Victorian-era steam ferryboat Berkeley twice daily, at 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8. Refreshments will be available for purchase. More information here: https://sdmaritime.org/
The best way to celebrate both World Oceans Day and World Ocean Day is to get out on a sailboat for a full day of wind-powered, fossil fuel-free sailing. If you’re out there give a tip of your hat to the saltwater oceans that really do keep the whole world afloat.
Another way to participate (though not specifically this weekend) is to visit “Rising Seas,” a family-friendly series of free public art performances designed to engage the community in creative conversations around climate change and to inspire local action. The performances feature live music, dance, and theater, and are currently taking place in Alameda’s waterfront parks on Saturdays — June 21 at Harbor View Park, Alameda; July 12 at Shoreline Park, Bay Farm; and August 23 at Bohol Circle Immigrant Park. More information here.
What are your weekend sailing plans? Race, cruise, daysail, boat work?