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SANTA BARBARA, CA — Almost 200 guests gathered on March 6 at Cabrillo Pavilion for the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s annual gala, Love Boat: Sailing to Alaska, an elegant, high-energy evening inspired by the romance and adventure of an Alaskan cruise. The museum’s signature fundraiser featured fine dining, lively auctions, music, dancing, and spirited community support, ultimately grossing $230,000 in support of SBMM’s award-winning exhibits and youth education programs.
The evening’s highlight was the presentation of the prestigious Admiral’s Award to world-renowned ocean explorer, environmentalist, educator, and filmmaker Jean-Michel Cousteau, whose lifelong dedication to ocean stewardship has inspired generations. Cousteau shared reflections on humanity’s connection to the sea and emphasized the importance of educating young people about ocean conservation and the role future generations play in protecting marine environments…