Some time ago, I wrote an article focusing on the social aspects of a sustainable yachting industry and what impact it can have on the local communities.
Here is a look at some environmental issues facing all of us enjoying the outdoors.
To me, sailing is, among many things, an escape from the confines of the cities and work stress. See where the wind can take me, breathe in that fresh ocean air and go for a swim in crystal clear waters, experience wildlife, sunsets and meeting like-minded travelers. Oh the dream…
Alas, as I jump into that blue beautiful ocean, my hand gets caught on a plastic bag. Beaches are frequently littered with remains of Styrofoam boxes, fishing nets and plastic bottles.
At anchor, the blissful sunset gets replaced by the sound of generators for air-conditioning and crystal clear waters turn brown with effluent from open holding tanks.
Yes, I can hear you say it already; there are many places you can escape from all of that. Get off the beaten path and you will find your dreamy escape. Just leave the common anchorages and marinas behind.
But I don’t think that I have to get off the beaten path to enjoy what should be looked after by all of us. I feel that I should be able to step out of my front door and not trip over a plastic bag, a dog dropping or choke on dirty air.
Some pollution is inevitable as we pursue a more comfortable, diverse life. Going back to living naked in caves, hunting and gathering hasn’t been an option for a long time and won’t be again.
It has to be about minimizing pollution and reducing waste.
It’s about raising awareness of what I can do as an individual to preserve the environment I come to enjoy. Don’t boycott Starbucks because they sell plastic cups for their cold drinks… just don’t take that plastic cup. Bring your own ‘keep-cup’. Don’t blame it on the lack of corporate responsibility, look at your own habits. If you don’t buy it, ‘they’ won’t make it!
So it was with great excitement that I found this article published by the operator ‘LateSail‘, suggesting to their clients ways to take to the water in a more conscious, environmental friendly way…
10 Tips for Eco-Friendly Sailing
23rd Jul 2019 – LateSail
Plastic Free July is a global movement aimed at reducing single-use plastics around the world. Here are some other ways you can be more sustainable and environmentally-friendly when sailing.
With thousands of people taking yacht charters in the Mediterranean and Caribbean every year, it is more important than ever to be aware of how to travel and sail sustainably.
We were inspired to write these tips for sustainable sailing after following Plastic Free July. It is a global movement encouraging people to reduce their use of single-use plastics and be more mindful of how their actions affect the environment.
1. Sail! Don’t use the engine if you can avoid it
Do what your boat was designed for and if the prevailing conditions are suitable, hoist the mainsail and unfurl the jib. Sail, don’t motor. Use the power of the wind. Nothing beats the quiet stillness of travelling by the power of the wind only, with no engine noise. And a bonus – it is the most environmentally-friendly way to travel
As always we recommend to do whatever you feel comfortable with considering your level of knowledge and experience, taking into account the wind conditions
2. Dispose of waste appropriately
According to the RYA’s Green Blue, over 50,000 marine mammals die every year from becoming tangled in or eating marine litter. >Dispose of waste appropriately. Be responsible with waste disposal. Play your part in reducing this by picking up any litter you see on beaches or elsewhere, and make sure you dispose of your own waste responsibly.Each marina and port on your yacht charter should have a waste disposal point for you to use.
3. Take reusable cups and bottles
One of the easiest things to do in our guide is to take reusable coffee cups and water bottles with you on charter. A reusable cup. Switch to a reusable coffee cup. A coffee cup is perfect for when you want a hot drink in the departure lounge before your outbound and inbound flights. We like this cup from Ecoffee. Made from bamboo – one of the world’s most sustainable crops – it comes in 100 different designs and colours. A water bottle is useful for when you want to go ashore for a day of sightseeing and avoid buying bottled water.
4. Offset your carbon footprint
Air travel creates 12% of transport-related carbon emissions, according to the European Commission. Offset the carbon from your journey.You can join a carbon offsetting scheme which would mean you are supporting projects around the world that reduce carbon emissions – for example, tree planting projects. The easiest thing to do is to make use of your airline’s carbon offsetting scheme, but there are other options available.Carbon Footprint has a comprehensive guide if you’d like to learn more about offsetting carbon emissions.
5. Use an eco-friendly sunscreen
Several of our destinations are home to stunning coral reefs ideal for snorkelling and diving, including the British Virgin Islands, the Seychelles, Thailand and the Maldives.A good book will help while away the time at anchor
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world and using eco-friendly sunscreen is an easy way to be more environmentally friendly when on a yacht charter. Standard sunscreens often use ingredients which can be harmful to coral reefs and marine life.Dive Magazine has got a good guide to eco-friendly sunscreens in this blog post.
6. Buy local – not from supermarkets
We always recommend to shop locally when on a LateSail yacht charter, rather than from supermarket chains. A good book will help while away the time at anchor. A lot of the bigger ports and marinas will have a shop on site where you can buy your provisions, for example ACI Marina in Split or Alimos Marina Kalamaki in Athens. It’s so much nicer to prepare a meal using fresh, local ingredients. If you’re heading to Greece, we have some food inspiration for you.
7. Be careful where and how you drop the anchor
Anchoring badly and without being mindful can damage plants and other marine life on the seafloor.Be aware of where you anchor. Charity organisation Sailors for the Sea has a comprehensive guide on how to anchor safely, including these points:
Anchor in water deep enough to avoid grounding your vessel with tide change. If possible, anchor in sand or mud and avoid sensitive ecosystems. If anchoring ashore, carefully place the anchor to minimize coastal damage. Avoid sand dunes and don’t tie your rope to a tree, they both protect inland areas from the destructive forces of wind and waves
8. Row, don’t use the outboard
Modern four-stroke outboard engines are more environmentally friendly than their older two-stroke counterparts.But there’s an even more sustainable way to get ashore – use the oars and row. It might take you a bit longer but you can make it fun and even get the kids involved.
9. Go slow and take in the view
On your yacht charter it might be appealing to go full speed ahead under engine to your next destination, but there are lots of benefits to taking it slow. Slow down and relax. Not only does it make you more mindful of your surroundings, reducing engine power by as little as 10% from full throttle will save 20% in fuel costs, according to Sailors for the Sea.
10. Respect the rules about emptying holding tanks
Each country has different rules about this so make sure you check with the operator when you check in. Each country has different rules about this so make sure you check with the operator when you check in.Make use of the marina’s facilties. Depending on where you moor up for the night you may be able to use the pump station facilities at the marina or port. But it goes without saying that holding tanks should not be emptied near beaches, where people are swimming or where there is an abundance of marine life.
To find out more about being sustainable on a yacht charter or boat, go to these websites:
Plastic Free July
The RYA’s Green Blue (UK)
Sailors for the Sea (US)
I like to finish this post on a positive note, showing how simple it is to make a positive impact.
Nic and Catherine Hodgson from the Catamaran Lady Roslyn started a scheme called ‘Trash Tuesday’ and published it on Facebook .. Pick up trash others left behind and dispose of it appropriately.
Huge amounts of rubbish have since been collected from the ocean and beaches by like-minded travelers.
The idea isn’t new, ‘Clean-Up Beach Days’ have been established community events for a long time, but doing it as part of your daily routine instead of ignoring it changes the way you interact with your surroundings.
After having read Nic’s posts, I now find myself picking up blowing rubbish as I walk along the streets sometimes.
And damn, it feels good. Because I know that this particular plastic bag annoyed you just as much as I did me and now it’s gone (well, almost). Simple!
Please join me in doing your part to clean up your surroundings; from keep- cups to rowing, from taking action rather than blaming. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”… and womenkind!
