Two recipients, Bert terHart and Jon Sanders, have recently been selected to receive the first OCC Challenge Grants.

Bert terHart just departed from Victoria, BC hoping to be the first North American to complete a single-handed, unassisted, non-stop west-about circumnavigation via the 5 great capes using only traditional navigation. Bert is also undertaking a significant environmental outreach program during his voyage. You can follow Bert's track in real-time around the world by clicking on this link: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Seaburban or on social media Facebook: https://fb.me/the5capes Instagram: https://instagram.com/svseaburban/

Jon Sanders is sailing from Fremantle, WA this month, west-about, on his 11th circumnavigation. Jon is looking to bring attention to ocean plastic and to collect data and samples of micro plastics in less trafficked areas. He anticipates between 10 and 11 stops which he intends to educate people and drop off samples that have been collected. Jon is planning to depart on Sunday, November 3rd. Updates are available on his website where you can sign up to receive email notifications at www.noplasticoceans.org