Expeditions · Destinations · The Kimberley · Australia · Culture
May 24, 2024 Words: Katie Altman

Milestone Moment: Traditional Owners, Wunambal Gaambera Named as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Transforming the tradition of godparents for our newest Expedition Ship.

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Christening the ship is a symbolic event that bestows blessings upon everyone who will ever sail on board. The godparents bring good luck and protection to the vessel with this maritime tradition.

When Seabourn Pursuit, our newest ultra-luxury, purpose-built ship’s inaugural season was planned to the Kimberley, a breathtaking ancient landscape in Western Australia, we asked ourselves: Who would be best to christen our newest ship?

The answer became clear. We are proud to announce that Seabourn Pursuit’s godparents are the Wunambal Gaambera people, the Traditional Owners of a region in the Kimberley that includes the sea country of Ngula Jar Island (Vansittart Bay) and Yirinni (Hunter River), and the freshwater country of Ngauwudu (Mitchell Plateau).

We are truly honored to have the Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera people as our ship's esteemed godparents. With their rich cultural history and deep connection to the land and sea country, the Wunambal Gaambera people are the ideal ambassadors for Seabourn Pursuit. As part of this appointment and partnership with the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners, Seabourn will make a donation that allows us to contribute to a self-sustaining industry, producing authentic works of art by Wunambal Gaambera artists to sell. In addition to this meaningful monetary donation, Seabourn will also supply the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation with pearl shells and various art supplies and polishing materials to foster sustainable, commercial art initiatives year-round for Wunambal Gaambera artists. In turn, Seabourn is helping to provide opportunities for employment for Wunambal Gaambera artists.

We intend the impact of this decision to be more than just symbolic: Seabourn has proudly made a donation to the Wunambal Gaambera people to develop a self-sustaining arts and crafts industry. Catherine Goonack, Chairperson of the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation says,

Seabourn's contributions will assist us to be one country, look after and keep our land and sea country healthy, strengthen our Wanjina Wunggurr culture, and create economic opportunities for our people.

We hope every guest who sails aboard Seabourn Pursuit shares our sense of pride in this relationship that will continue to grow and help drive long-term sustainability long-term sustainable positive change in line with the values Seabourn and our guests stand for.

Join Seabourn Pursuit, as she takes travelers to the Kimberley region, one of the most coveted and remote destinations in the world. Guests will enjoy curated excursions, cultural tours, guided Zodiac® cruises, diving and more. Led by a 23-person Expedition Team, guests will have the opportunity to deeply explore the fascinating culture and environment of the Kimberley while supporting the region’s people and future.

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