The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has won the prestigious Fabien Cousteau Blue Award at the 25th International Superyacht Society (ISS) Design and Leadership Awards ceremony, which was held in Florida, US. 

The prestigious environmental award was sponsored by Dutch builder Oceanco.

Living Oceans is a non-profit environmental science organisation and ocean research foundation established to help preserve, protect and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources through research, education, and outreach.

The US-based foundation was established in 2000 by HRH Prince Khaled bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia. Since then, the foundation has organised many large-scale scientific surveys including the Global Reef Expedition, 

The black tie awards gala - which kicked off to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show - was held on a balmy Florida evening at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on November 4.

Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques Cousteau and father of the award’s namesake Fabien, made a surprise appearance on stage with an impassioned speech about the legacy of his family's work and the importance of preserving the world's oceans.

After Cousteau's words, Bas Swanink, Sales Manager at Oceanco, presented this year's award to the Living Oceans' Executive Director Captain Philip Renaud.

In much the same spirit as Living Oceans' educational outreach programme, Oceanco has long been a proponent of raising awareness for the need to preserve the world's oceans through research, education, and implementation of best practices. 

Oceanco is also proactive in encouraging environmental consciousness at every level of its build process and to informing and working with superyacht owners to create 21st century yachts that have the lowest impact possible on the world's oceans and fragile coral reefs.

The ISS Fabien Cousteau Blue Award celebrates stewardship of marine ecosystems. Environmental leadership, global oceanic conservation and resource preservation are prerequisites for nomination. 

The integration of environmental technologies and resource management with the goal of setting achievable standards and models for wide adaptation in the design, engineering and building of large yachts - and the use of the Earth’s waterways - are essential criteria. Voting for five finalists is conducted by ISS members and the Board of Directors; a panel of judges rates finalists with Fabien Cousteau taking an active role in assessing the nominees.

Fabien Cousteau is a French aquatic filmmaker and oceanographic explorer who lives in the US. He is the grandson of famed oceanographic explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau and son of Jean-Michel Cousteau.

Founded in 1989, the ISS represents the large yacht industry. Its mission is delivered by building alliances worldwide with regional and functional associations; to serve as a communications conduit for issues affecting the marketplace, owners, crew and industry members; and to recognise achievement as well as provide educational opportunities and networking events.