Ship Bearing Name of Paul Mitchell Founder to Bring Aid to Hurricane-Wrecked Islands

In the wake of the recent hurricanes wreaking havoc in the Caribbean, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is sending the M/V John Paul DeJoria to the area to provide relief to both humans and animals in need, the group announced.

Dubbed Operation: Good Pirates of the Caribbean, the M/V John Paul DeJoria, named after the Paul Mitchell founder, will bring aid and supplies to several islands including St. Martin, Antigua-Barbuda, the Virgin Islands, and others.

Operation Good Pirates of the Caribbean was a natural mission for Sea Shepherd and its Founder/CEO Captain Paul Watson. The organization has benefited from the Netherlands’ Dutch Postcode Lottery and the Dutch Registry of Shipping among other things. Meanwhile, France previously granted Watson political asylum. Both European countries have territories in the Caribbean affected by Hurricane Irma and Maria.

“When Mariners and Islanders are in trouble all good pirates stand ready to assist,” Watson said. “We stand on the front lines of climate change and we intend to stand fast.”

The M/V John Paul DeJoria is a recent addition to the Sea Shepherd fleet. An advisory board member to Sea Shepherd and dedicated environmental philanthropist, DeJoria has long been associated with Sea Shepherd.

He traveled to the Gulf of St. Lawrence with the anti-poaching organization to stand against the Canadian Seal Hunt in 1988 and issued a video in support of Captain Watson in 2012 when he was arrested for trying to stop shark finning in Costa Rica.

DeJoria also sponsored the purchase of Sea Shepherd’s M/V Farley Mowat, which is currently headed to the Gulf of California to save the near extinct vaquita porpoise. The ship proudly bears the logo of DeJoria’s JP’s Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation, which supports charities that promote environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and the protection of animals. 

“We are deeply saddened by the impact the hurricane has had on the lives of the beloved people of the Caribbean,” DeJoria said. “Recovery will be an arduous process and we are committed to providing aid over the long term. By working together, we will be able to lighten the load for all of the affected families.”