Mystic — Mystic Seaport has announced that it will present its 2017 America and the Sea award to David Rockefeller Jr. and his environmental organization, Sailors for the Sea.

The award recognizes individuals or organizations “whose contribution to the history, arts, business, or sciences of the sea best exemplify the American character,” according to the museum.

In announcing the award, the museum said Sailors for the Sea, which was co-founded by Rockefeller, “works to engage the boating community in the worldwide protection of the oceans. Through its Clean Regattas and Ocean Watch programs and Green Boating Guide, the organization successfully motivates boaters to become environmental stewards.”

“We are proud to recognize the tremendous contribution David Rockefeller Jr. and Sailors for the Sea have made to educate and activate the maritime community in the goal of conserving and protecting the health of our oceans. By forging a connection between boaters and ways in which they can help conserve the environment, they inspire all of us to take better care of the world in which we live,” said Seaport President Steve White, in announcing the award.

Rockefeller Jr., who is the chairman of Rockefeller & Co., served on the Pew Oceans Commission from 2000 to 2003, and founded Sailors for the Sea “to educate the recreational boating community about significant challenges to ocean health and to motivate them to become ocean stewards.” The organization is headquartered in Newport, R.I., with satellite offices in Japan, Portugal and Chile.

Among the past recipients of the award are oceanographer and explorer Sylvia Earle, yacht designer Olin Stephens, WoodenBoat Publications founder Jon Wilson, yachtsman and author Gary Jobson, author Nathaniel Philbrick, and Rod and Bob Johnstone of Stonington and their company J/Boats.

Rockefeller will receive the award on Oct. 11 at a black tie gala in New York which serves as a fundraising event for the museum. For invitations, contact the museum at advancement@mysticseaport.org or call (860) 572-5365.