Page 116: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2016)

PEOPLE & COMPANY NEWS

Why Maritime Museums Matter

By Jeremy Bonds ith today’s focus on digi- museum dedicated to the historical, McLean, commemorates the concept to the next generation in an interactive, tal technology, mobile cultural and economic signi? cance of of containerization, an idea pioneered fun and engaging way, we can ensure the apps, enhanced reality “America’s Sea” - the Gulf of Mexico - by Malcom McLean in the 1950s as the achievements, culture and impact of the

Wand the overall digital aims to help expose people to this indus- owner of Waterman Steamship Corpora- industry will continue to be felt across landscape, the maritime industry often try. With 90 interactive exhibits housed tion in Mobile, the museum’s home port. the globe. gets overshadowed, leaving some to ask, inside the stern of a full-sized replica of Containerization revolutionized world If we can inspire one person, just one, “Does maritime still play a signi? cant a containership, GulfQuest encourages trading by dramatically lowering ship- to consider maritime as a career option, role in today’s society?” The answer, of visitors to immerse themselves in the ping costs, thus making it possible for then we know we have done our job.

course, is a resounding “Yes!” maritime industry and show them how companies to manufacture their products

Maritime museums, such as GulfQuest they can be part of this exciting industry. and ship them worldwide at affordable

The Author

National Maritime Museum of the Gulf “We have taken extra measures, every costs. of Mexico, are here to introduce to some step of the way, to design an immersive Interactive maritime museums such as

Jeremy Bonds is the Public Relations (and reinforce to others) the continued experience for our visitors. The exhibits GulfQuest allow visitors to experience

Coordinator at GulfQuest. Before joining importance of maritime history and the are both entertaining and educational, of the industry in a more hands-on way.

GulfQuest, Jeremy was Assignment Edi- cultural and economic impact the indus- and encourage visitors to explore every As Joan Wages stated in a recent Huff- tor for the NBC af? liate in Mobile and a try has on a global scale. By doing so, maritime aspect of the Gulf of Mexico,” ington Post article tilted Why Museums radio producer/marketing specialist for more and more millennials are discover- said Tony Zodrow, GulfQuest executive Are Important, “Seeing something in two local radio stations. A graduate of ing jobs outside of Silicon Valley, ones director. “From the ramp ways on ei- person is quite different than seeing it the University of South Alabama, Jeremy that do not require sitting behind a desk ther side of the [container] ship, to the in the pages of a book or on a computer previously free-lanced as a properties all day; jobs that enable you to travel sounds of the ship’s engines humming, screen.” artisan in New York City, creating spe- the globe, experience other cultures and to the lighting effects, visitors will feel By exposing the public to the wonders cialty props for TV, ? lm and Broadway, have a signi? cant and visible impact on very much like they are inside a life-size of the maritime industry, translating the and interned for late-night talk show the global economy. vessel.” industry language to the laymen and

CONAN on TBS.

GulfQuest, the world’s only maritime GulfQuest’s containership, the SS passing our maritime traditions down

All Photos: GulfQuest 116 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • NOVEMBER 2016

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