Meet Megan, Board of Advisors Member

Name: Megan Frey

Location: Quissett Harbor, Cape Cod

How do you spend your days? What are your passions? What is your occupation?

I spend my days doing what I love. My passions include being outside, learning, teaching, laughing and enjoying life! I have been a merchant mariner for the past decade and before that I was an organic farmer on an island in Norway.

Explain your connection to the ocean. How does it influence your life?

My connection to the ocean is strong. Being nearby or on the ocean gives me life and freedom. The ocean influences my life primarily by teaching me to be humble, aware, patient, direct, honest and gentle.

The mission of Saltwater Classroom is to bring together young students, as well as learners of all ages, as global ocean stewards through an innovative approach to ocean education. How does this apply to your experience? What stands out to you about ocean education? Spending time nearby or on the ocean is a direct way to learn that we humans are one part of the whole. The more time I spend at sea, the more I understand about my own strengths and challenges. The more I understand that by working together in a community is the way forward. Ocean education provides a connection to observe a microscopic organism like phytoplankton or to witness the world's largest mammal, the blue whale. We can swim in the ocean, we can walk along the ocean, we can sail the ocean, we can be fed from the ocean, we are the a part of the ocean. Let's keep learning!

What are your earliest ocean memories? My grandfather would walk with me down to the lake in Michigan where I grew up. He would bend down and touch the lake water. I was between 3 and 4 years old. Grandfather would look at me and tell me that I could go anywhere in the world from that very spot. He created an image in my young mind's eye about the water's way, how that lake water led out to the Atlantic Ocean. That is my first memory of starting to learn about the ocean.

If you had to pick one thing, what is your favorite aspect of the ocean? We know, it's a broad question.

It's size!

Is there a dream ocean destination on your list? Where would you travel to next? I would sail back to the northern islands of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. I promised a family who I stayed with that I would return one day. I will keep my promise.

Anything else to add?

Keep the passion alive :)