On behalf of the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, Seaspan announced today a multi-year donation of $1.1 million to three BC marine and port community charitable organizations. SALTS will receive $500,000 ($100,000 per year for five years). The Vancouver Maritime Museum and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue will each receive $300,000 over the next three years.

These are the Foundation's first direct donations of their kind in Canada. Since its inception, the Washington Foundation has donated more than $144 million to organizations in the USA.

 

This generous donation to SALTS will enable the expansion of the Society's bursary program, which makes it possible for young people to participate in the program when they have limited financial means or are facing serious illnesses, injuries, physical or mental disabilities. This ensures that young people from all walks of life can benefit from the SALTS experience. The bursary expansion coincides with the planned increase in program berths from 1700 annually to 2550 annually through the construction of another tall ship, helping ensure stable program funding during the coming growth phase. Some of the donation funding is also allocated for the purchase of safety equipment.