On May 31, 2009 in Seattle, Washington, Around the Americas officially launched the ship Ocean Watch to set sail around North and South America to advance ocean conservation initiatives. Around the Americas is a joint program between Sailors for the Sea and the Pacific Science Center, created to mobilize sailors, boaters and all who love the ocean to engage in protecting the health of the oceans.

This 25,000-mile circumnavigation has never been done before and has been created to build public awareness of coastline communities, the sailing community and school-age children about the impact of global climate change on the ocean. Aligned with The Tiffany & Co. Foundation's coral reef conservation priority, the Foundation is proud to support Around the Americas, through funding for the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean passages focusing on coral reef conservation.