This October marks the 520th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas – the result of one of many other explorations that took place between the 15th and 17th Centuries. European countries, searching for quicker and safer trade routes to Asia, turned to the sea and triggered the Age of Discovery. This milestone of history moved us from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era. Brave seafaring explorers were responsible for increasing access to goods and materials, establishing global trade and exchange of culture, and they spurred a desire for an increased knowledge of science and technology.

Columbus and others discovered what we know to be fact today – 70 percent of our globe is covered with water. Nearly all of our world’s population – 80 percent – lives near an ocean. The most amazing fact – one that most don’t realize, but take for granted – is that 90 percent of world commerce travels by water. Think about that for a moment. Practically every product that you use or consume came to you on a ship. As you read this, there are about 35,000 cargo ships at sea.