As a founding member of WAWAW, I am deeply concerned about pollution in our beautiful seas and oceans worldwide. Aside from linking with fellow female sailors and sharing experiences, a basic goal of WAWAW is to help the international cause "Clean marine debris" or specfically to our Turkish coast region, "deniz temiz". We hope to link with clean sea organizations as our membership grows.

My experience with marine pollution includes the Baltimore, Md/Annapolis, MD, U.S.A. area and waters off the Turkish coast. When sailing in the Fetiyhe bay 21 years ago, my children were then 8 and 9 years old. I told them, quite off the cuff, "Enjoy it now, for in years to come we will lose these pristine waters". I had never imagined it would happen so fast! Last year I was shocked at the Gocek waters so heavily borne with trash (papers, plastics, etc) from both boats and shore.

A few weeks ago we sailed up the western coast of Turkey. Just north of Bodrum, I noticed a lot of refuse floating in the water. I commented to my husband that pollution is not just a problem in the charter-crowded south. At that moment one of our engines overheated and stopped. Plastic was found covering intake valves. I'm sure we are not the only boat troubled with the results of pollution in the seas! Not to mention our fishing line once hooking a large plastic bag full of trash--a disappoinment to us hoping for a fish lunch!

The WAWAW's are hoping that fellow female sailors will not only enjoy sharing their adventures at sea, but also will be inspired to join our new organization to put real teeth into efforts to clean our precious seas. Let's restore Jacques Cousteau's message and save our seas! ~Pat (Istanbul, Turkey)