From I-LYA to the Puget Sound

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From I-LYA to the Puget Sound

Chloe Beck (bottom row) and Colleen O’Brien (far right) used to compete against each other in Lasers at JBW, but now work together on the Salish Sea near Seattle. They are pictured with the fall crew of the Carlyn.

Eight or so years ago, Chloe Beck (Port Clinton Yacht Club) and Colleen O’Brien (Put-in-Bay Yacht Club) were racing full rig lasers in the I-LYA Traveler Series and at Junior Bay Week. Now they are working side-by-side for Salish Sea Expeditions on the Puget Sound aboard the 60’ sailing/research vessel Carlyn. According to their website, “Salish Sea Expeditions inspires youth to connect with the marine environment through boat-based scientific inquiry and hands-on learning, instilling curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking.” Chloe and Colleen are well-prepared to carry out the mission.

Chloe Beck is currently serving as the Logistics Coordinator/Deckhand for the Carlyn. She is a graduate of Miami University with degrees in Zoology and International Studies. During college, Chloe studied abroad and backpacked in Patagonia, Chile and did ecological research in Patagonia National Park. After graduation, Chloe moved to Seattle with an AmeriCorps position as Conservation Science Coordinator at Seattle Audubon Society, followed by a summer in the Great Basin of Utah and Idaho doing plant and avian research.

Colleen O’Brien is putting her BS degrees in Marine Science and Biochemistry from Eckerd College to good use as a Marine Science Educator aboard the Carlyn. During college, Colleen spent a summer as an AmeriCorps Intern at Put-in-Bay and spent a few weeks on the Niagara. Following graduation, she travelled to Indonesia to study mangroves and then worked throughout the southwest as an AmeriCorps intern. In 2016 she worked as an Educator Deckhand aboard the Schooner Adventuress in Seattle before heading cross country to sign on with the World Ocean School. Aboard the Roseway, she travelled with a group of high school students from New England to the Caribbean with a stop in Havana, Cuba. After leaving the Roseway, Colleen returned to Seattle and spent the summer in the San Juan Islands.

Clearly, racing optis, lasers, and 420s instilled in both Chloe and Colleen a love for the water, nature, and adventure. Your support of the Yachtsmen’s Fund allows us to continue to sponsor youth sailing and boating opportunities for the next generation of environmental educators and even people who just like to play around in boats.