One Ocean Expeditions founder given Burpee Medal
The founder and managing director of One Ocean Expeditions has been bestowed with one of the top honours by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Andrew Prossin, originally from Westmount, has received the Lawrence J. Burpee Medal for his efforts in supporting the work of the society.
He was presented with the medal Thursday at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que. by Ontario Lt.Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell and Alex Trebek, the host of quiz show “Jeopardy!” and honorary president of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Prossin announced in May that his expedition cruise company would make the port of Sydney its home base upon the completion of a second cruise ship berth.
One Ocean Expeditions, headquartered in Squamish, B.C., is recognized internationally for its innovative expeditions to some of the world’s most remote polar locations.
“I am very proud of this recognition for the company and grateful to all those who have been involved in the growth of One Ocean Expeditions over the past 10 years,” Prossin said in a release issued Friday.
The Burpee Medal is named after the first editor of what’s now Canadian Geographic magazine and the former Canadian Secretary of the International Joint Commis- sion.
In 2014, Prossin joined the Royal Canadian Geographical Society as a partner in the Parks Canada-led Victoria Strait Expedition, contributing one of One Ocean Expeditions’ vessels to an undertaking that resulted in the discovery of Sir John Franklin’s long-missing HMS Erebus.
Last year, One Ocean Expeditions became the society’s exclusive marine travel partner, and the expertise of the organizations were combined to develop excursions with world-renowned educators, researchers, naturalists, marine biologists, artists, historians and photographers.