MARINE
Tara grew up in France in a small village on the south coast, and from his earliest memory, he was in, or on the sea!
With his passion for restoration and marine architecture, Tara has spent over 20 years restoring and caring for classic yachts and supporting associated organisations.
As a young Sea Cadet and sailor, this education, launched him into a lifelong commitment to racing and navigating all over the world.
Sensitive to the intrinsic link between the yachting world and our oceans, Tara and Jessica co-founded Ocean Family Foundation in 2018, to fund marine conservation programmes. The growing portfolio is diverse in geographies and content.
Ocean Family Foundation has sponsored Boat International’s Ocean Talks since their inception. This annual event in London, now in its 8th year, brings superyacht owners, suppliers, builders and designers together with champions of marine conservation, in a space to present, exhibit and network; inspiring action and highlighting the vital connection between us as humanity and our marine biome.
BENEFICIARIES
Ocean Family Foundation
Tara and Jessica are co-founders of Ocean Family Foundation which launched in 2018.
With Zuka Private Game Reserve as an integrated conservation model, it’s connection to the Indian Ocean and, all the founding families involved in the yachting world, this collective energy and sense of responsibility to contribute positively towards conserving our life supporting marine biome, birthed Ocean Family Foundation.
Ocean Family Foundation seeks out existing or start-up conservation projects that have a positive impact on marine life and ocean health across diverse global locations, including seascapes that are local or resonate with the family members. We enjoy these relationships and witnessing the valuable impact of each endeavour.
Ocean Talks
As one of the founding families of Ocean Family Foundation, we are passionate about the world’s oceans and feel an energised responsibility to contribute positively towards conserving our life supporting system, by funding an ever growing and diverse portfolio of marine conservation programmes around the world.
Committed to Boat International’s Ocean Talks since their beginning, we are thrilled to sponsor this annual event in London, which brings yacht owners, builders, suppliers and designers together with champions of marine conservation to present, exhibit and network.
Through Ocean Talks, Ocean Family Foundation inspires action and highlights the vital connection between us as humanity and our marine biome.
Occeans Without Borders
Oceans Without Borders was one of our first programmes to fund as Ocean Family Foundation, after launching in 2018. Our seed funding and ongoing multi-year commitment has helped positively impact 3,000 kilometers of African coastline.
From Mnemba Island off Zanzibar in Tanzania, through the Quirimbas and Bazaruto Archipelagos of Mozambique, to the reef sites on our Indian Ocean coastline and the World Heritage Site iSimangaliso bordering Zuka Private Game Reserve, Oceans Without Borders multifaceted approach strengthens the conservation status of these areas, expand opportunities for local community development, and contribute to global efforts to protect our oceans.
Operated by Wild Impact who are dedicated to working collaboratively with partner communities and key stakeholders to conserve the wild landscapes and seascapes, this programme brings together broad expertise, and works intimately with coastal and island communities.
In addition to Ocean Family Foundation’s support, Zuka Private Game Reserve’s annual participation in Tusk’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge, fundraises specifically for the Oceans Without Borders Conservation and Community Rangers.
Association of Dunkirk Little Ships
The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships honours the memory and identity of those ‘Little Ships’ that went to the aid of the British Expeditionary Force in 1940, as part of Operations Dynamo, Cycle and Aerial. The ADLS preserves the “Spirit of Dunkirk” in the form of a registered association of the Little Ships’ present day owners and of those closely associated. Vessels from all three Operations are included within the ADLS and are collectively known as 'Dunkirk Little Ships'.
Bluebird of 1938, was originally built by Sir Malcom Campbell, crafting a change in his ambitions from speed records on land and water, to treasure hunting in the Pacific Ocean. Requisitioned for the war effort and noted for her participation in Operation Dynamo, Bluebird became a “Dunkirk Little Ship. She was sold after Sir Malcom died in 1948, moving around the world thereafter with different owners until Tara found her in Holland and bought her in 2004.
Tara spent the following three years working closely with G.L. Watson and Bannenberg & Rowell, committing to a full and intricate restoration of Bluebird. After her relaunching, Bluebird was rewarded by winning the World Superyacht Award for Best Refit in 2008!
In 2015, Tara and Jessica together with their three children made the long voyage with Bluebird, and navigated her to the remote and unpopulated Cocos Island in the Pacific Ocean; finally realising Sir Malcom Campbell’s original vision.
H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, as Honorary Admiral of The Dunkirk Little Ships Association, joined Tara and Jessica on Bluebird for the 70th anniversary commemorations of Operation Dynamo.
And again, in May 2025, Tara, Jessica and Bluebird with the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships made the 85th Anniversary crossing from Ramsgate to Dunkirk, moving steadily in formation with 65 other Little Ships.
The city of Dunkerque hosted five days of services and events, with H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent, five Royal Naval ships, and members of The Royal Lancers regiment also in attendance, commemorating Operation Dynamo, all those involved, and the lives saved and lost 85 years ago.
ADLS is a not for profit association and a members organisation who collectively commemorate events surrounding Operation Dynamo, Cycle & Aerial in 1940.
