Blog update: February 21, 2022- This morning Lisa has officially set off on her World Record Sailing attempt solo around Antarctica!
We are thrilled to announce that OCEANUM VELA joins forces with NAUTIBAGS on the global campaign of Australian world-record sailor and climate action activist LISA BLAIR in her second attempt to be the first solo woman to circumnavigate Antarctica nonstop
Behind the scenes of an emerging mission driven business and a world wide pandemic, OV has been working on some exciting business partnerships. Here in Maine, Oceanum Vela, founded by Melissa Kalicin, announces a collaboration with Australian sailor Lisa Blair creating a unique collection of sailing accessories made exclusively from authentic race sails used on Blair’s previous record-breaking campaigns aboard her high-performance yacht, Climate Action NOW. The products are co-designed but handcrafted by NautiBags of Brisbane, Australia, founded by Volvo Ocean Race veteran Stacey Jackson.
The Climate Action NOW collection is set to be released at the time of the scheduled start this February of Blair’s next record-setting attempt sailing solo, nonstop and unassisted around Antartica. The collaboration shares a mission of inspiring positive environmental change while gathering valuable ocean heath data and micro plastic samples. Blair’s campaign aims to educate and inspire individuals and business to take positive steps towards our collective future and business practices that promote a circular economy. The collection will comprise one-of-a-kind products made from Blair’s repurposed sails including “kit bags” or duffels, clutches and totes, each with a custom designed Oceanum Vela’s sewn-in Certification of Authenticity. Proceeds from the sale of the products will be used by Blair’s Climate Action NOW organization to support ocean and climate health education.
“Working with these sailors is the exact collaboration I had in mind when I founded Oceanum Vela,” said Melissa Kalicin. “Lisa Blair is an amazing woman, solo sailor and a model eco-athlete. Nautibags is already creating upcycled sail bags and accessories. Working with and supporting these women who are already doing impactful work is an important demonstration of how we all can work together as sailors, businesswomen, and leaders in the industry. We must ensure our planet is habitable in the future and our playgrounds thrive within healthy ecosystems.”
According to Blair, “Sustainability is key when considering our future so I am thrilled to be partnering with and to launch the new Climate Action Now line with Oceanum Vela. There are so many ways that individuals and businesses can take a positive climate action but one of the key options is waste less.”
Sneak peek of Lisa Blair Climate Action Now x Oceanum Vela x Nautibags collection including the medium tote and clutch. Available Soon!
The collection helps raise funds to keep climate action at the forefront of our minds and remind us of the hard work associated with making the necessary changes to keep carbon dioxide levels safe and minimizing our ‘footprint’ on our oceans and forests. Together we ask: What will you do to help curb your carbon footprint?
To follow Lisa’s Sailing and learn more about her Climate Action Now Campaign, please visit her website,
