BoatUS announces new speakers and general sessions for 'Turning the Tide Online' Virtual Summit

The BoatUS Foundation “Turning the Tide Online” virtual summit, Feb. 25-27, hopes to seek out more sustainable boating-related waste stream solutions, such as finding better solutions for end-of-life and derelict fiberglass boats © TowBoatUS Fort Lauderdale

Surfing icon, environmentalist, award-winning filmmaker and “Code Method” author Shaun Tomson to serve as keynote speaker at the “Turning the Tide Online” virtual summit, Feb. 25-27 © BoatUS

Topics will cover Fiberglass Recycling & Shrinkwrap, ADVs, Emerging Programs & Marinas, Sustainable Waste Management and more.

New speakers have been announced for the BoatUS Foundation's “Turning the Tide Online” Virtual Summit, scheduled for February 25-27, 2025. "Turning the Tide Online" will be an engaging online experience for virtual attendees who will have access to on-demand content and live presentations on topics ranging from The Rhode Island Fiberglass Vessel Recycling Program to Durable Material Waste Stream Upcycling.

The three-day summit will cover the following General Sessions: Building on Past Success & Other Waste Streams, Established Programs in Fiberglass Recycling & Shrinkwrap Recycling, and Emerging Programs & Marinas and Sustainable Waste Management. Attendees will hear from 30 non-profit, government, recycling and academic leaders each with their own presentation on abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) and boating-related marine waste management solutions. Registrants will also have an opportunity to analyze, discuss and reflect at the end of each day with fellow virtual summit attendees. Ten featured Turning the Tide Speakers include:

• Shaun Tomson - Environmentalist, World Champion Surfer, Author, Motivational Speaker
• Chloé Dubois - Executive Director, Ocean Legacy Foundation
• Jennifer Lynch - Biologist, National Institute of Standards and Technology
• Troy Wood - Program Manager, Derelict Vessel Removal Program, Aquatic Resources Division Washington State Department of Natural Resources
• Brian Dursi - Executive Director, Rhode Island Marine Trade Association
• Donna Morrow - Program Manager, Center for Marine and Coastal Stewardship, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
• Tracey Coe - Coordinator, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Sarah Orlando - Program Manager, Ohio Clean Marinas, Ohio Sea Grant
• David Morgan - Chief Strategy Officer, Carbon Rivers
• Wie Yusuf - Professor, Strom College of Business at Old Dominion University

"Boating-related waste is an issue that affects all communities and this unique summit will spark meaningful conversations to protect our waters for years to come," said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach Alanna Keating. "We hope to share best practices and innovative ideas in addressing waste streams like fiberglass. Our goal of this exciting agenda of inspiring speakers will lead to greater collaboration and actionable next steps to move the industry forward."

This first-of-its-kind summit is made possible by a four-year, $10 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding is also fueling a national competitive grant program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), and the creation of a first-of-its-kind national database to pinpoint locations of ADVs and track their removal.