BoatUS Foundation Offers College Students Complimentary Admission to First-Ever ‘Turning the Tide Online’ Virtual Summit Feb. 25-27

Registration is now open for the BoatUS Foundation’s “Turning the Tide Online” virtual summit, scheduled for February 25-27, 2025. “Turning the Tide Online” will focus on seeking and sharing responsible and sustainable disposal practices of boating-related waste. Regular admission is $75 while non-profit admission is $50. Student admission is $10. However, the first 50 students to register at BoatUS.org/turningthetide using coupon code STUDENT will be provided complimentary admission.

The three-day summit will give attendees an opportunity to come together to share their thoughts about existing and emerging technologies and best practices for responsible and sustainable disposal of boating-related waste streams. Topics include disposal of fiberglass, shrinkwrap, pyrotechnic flares and fishing gear.

Event participation is open to members of the boating industry, waste stream managers, academics, government officials, as well as individuals and organizations.

Shaun Tomson, a surfing icon, environmentalist, award-winning filmmaker, businessperson, author and former board member/first ambassador of the Surfrider Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans, waves and beaches, will serve as keynote speaker and kick off this event.

“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. We hope to uncover best practices in industries such as agriculture, construction, packaging, waste management and recycling, fishing, wind power or any industry that may have an impact on these waste streams,” said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach Alanna Keating. “We’re really looking to advance actionable solutions.”

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.

BoatUS Foundation is leading a nationally competitive grant program for the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels throughout coastal and marine areas of the United States, including the Great Lakes, U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. This project is supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In an effort to help educate and prevent future ADVs, the Foundation will also create a national ADV database to track the scope of the challenge and measure success, document ADV prevention and removal activities to share with the public, and support a national dialogue and education efforts on boating-related debris disposal. Learn more about the Marine Debris Program by visiting marinedebris.noaa.gov.