From the Depths to the Shore: A Mission for the Ocean in California
Earlier this August, Healthy Seas marked a new milestone in its U.S. journey with a series of impactful activities in Southern California, blending action beneath the waves with inspiration above them.
Together with our long-standing partner Hyundai Motor America and the dedicated volunteer divers of Ghost Diving USA, we launched the 2025 chapter of our partnership with a double mission: on surface and underwater.
A Wreck, Revealed: Ghost Net Removal at Catalina Island
On August 10, five volunteer technical divers from Ghost Diving USA carried out a deep dive mission at Santa Catalina Island, focused on the wreck of the San Vito — more commonly known as the Tuna Clipper. This 85-foot tuna vessel sank in 1985 after hitting Johnson’s Rock and now rests at a depth of around 170 feet.
Once entirely wrapped in ghost nets, the San Vito has become the focus of an ongoing restoration effort led by Ghost Diving USA and supported by Healthy Seas and Hyundai. The August operation involved a coordinated two-team dive: one team staged lift bags to free sections of net, while the other carefully cut and extracted the entangled material — all under the guidance of a surface support crew and captain.
Each dive brings the wreck back into view and life back to the surrounding ecosystem. A special moment from this mission: a majestic Bat ray (Myliobatis californica) was spotted gliding gracefully among the kelp, a powerful reminder of what’s at stake and what we are protecting with these actions.
More dives will be needed to complete the restoration, but the progress is visible — both above and below the surface.
From Ocean Defenders to Ocean Messengers
While divers were preparing to descend into the depths, community action was already underway on shore.
On August 9, Hyundai Motor America employees and their families joined us at Huntington Beach State Park for a beach clean-up event. It was a moment to roll up sleeves and take collective responsibility for the coast, reinforcing the shared values at the heart of our partnership.
Then on August 11, the day after the dive, we welcomed over 50 children from the Boys and Girls Club of Huntington Valley (https://bgchv.com) for a special educational program. Through quizzes, storytelling, and creative activities, the children explored the connection between their everyday actions and the health of the ocean.
One highlight was the “If the Ocean Could Speak” origami envelope workshop, led by Healthy Seas team members Ramona and Crystal. Each child folded and decorated an envelope and wrote a message from the sea — giving voice to kelp forests, coral reefs, marine animals, or the waves themselves. Some envelopes spoke of pollution, others of beauty and wonder. All of them became small vessels of empathy, reflection, and care.
One Ocean, Many Voices
This year marks the third year of collaboration between Hyundai Motor America and Healthy Seas in the U.S., and the first time that education has been formally integrated into our activities here. From ghost net removal to youth engagement, this partnership is growing in depth, reach, and impact.
Because protecting the ocean takes more than just removing what doesn’t belong — it takes nurturing the next generation of people who will care enough to keep it clean.
And whether through a diver’s knife or a child’s folded paper, each act — no matter how small — is a message to the ocean: we are acting.
Are you a company looking to make a tangible impact for the ocean while engaging your employees or community?
We’re always open to new partnerships that combine cleanup, education, and storytelling. Get in touch to explore how we can bring a Healthy Seas activity to your coastline.
