Yachting and the Environment

Whilst it is true that yachting, by its very nature, will generate a fairly large carbon footprint, that doesn’t mean that we as an industry shouldn’t do what we can to protect the environment. The PYA has produced some tips that all crew can adopt in their day to day behaviour to become that bit more ‘green’. Join us with our #environmentalisminyachting movement!

HOW YOU CAN HELP
The PYA has launched a survey looking at attitudes towards the environment in yachting. We would welcome your input regarding environmental behaviour on-board, eco-initiatives for the industry, disposal facilities in different yachting ports, as well as your ideas of ways in which we can all help to reduce environmental damage within the realms of your job on-board. We hope that the information gathered will enable us to take some collective positive action to promote environmental awareness across all areas of yachting.
To participate, please go to
www.surveymonkey.com/r/Environment_ Yachting

The OBSenMER app allows you record any sightings of sea life that you come across in the Mediterranean. Cetaceans, rays, sharks, pelagic fish, turtles and jellyfish are all species groups studied by the programme.

The app is in French but the data recording is pretty straight forward with pictures included. Contributing sightings allows the research team to build a picture of the state of our seas through their biodiversity.

GET INVOLVED
Organise or get involved with eco initiatives with other crew, such as beach clean-ups, debris removal scuba dives etc. Done as a group it can be great fun and a way to meet other crew in your region.

Talk to the port you are in if you are concerned about the lack of recycling and disposal facilities. Whilst they may not listen to a lone voice, if crew from a group of yachts continue to express their dissatisfaction,eventually they will begin to listen and take action.

REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT ON-BOARD
There are a few things you can personally do to help reduce your yachts carbon footprint whilst at sea or in port. It only takes a little effort and team work to make a massive difference across the whole industry.

• Be environmentally conscious in your day-to-day life on-board – little things such as not leaving your cabin without switching off lights/ appliances can all help to make a difference
• Never throw cigarette butts over the side and out to sea
• Encourage recycling on-board for the crew and guests
• Consider switching some of your on-board detergents and other products to ocean-friendly versions
• Stop providing plastic straws for plastic-free alternatives
• Invest in re-usable water bottles for crew and branded ones for the guests to avoid unnecessary plastic usage and waste
• Make sure you use appropriate products to break down hazardous hydrocarbons such as bilge substance
• Invest in LED lights and other energy efficient appliances to reduce fuel consumption
• Use biocide-free anti-fouling paint
• Make sure that anchors are cleaned as soon as they are hauled up on deck to prevent the spread of invasive species when dropping them in another spot
• Use refits as an opportunity to update your yacht with the latest sustainable technologies
• Only use reef safe sun tan lotion and encourage the guests to follow suit

JOIN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS YACHTING FACEBOOK GROUP

@yachtcrewenvironmentalsociety
Barcelona group organising regular beach-clean ups

@ecocrew.me
Raising environmental awareness throughout the superyacht industry

@ecomerassociation
Promoting respect for our oceans

@y.coclearwater
Committed to reducing the impact of yacht operations

@AsociacionOndine
Balearic Islands Marine Conservation

@missionocean06
Plastic pollution workshops and research projects for ocean health