We all have a role to play in taking care of our planet. Perhaps you are considering chartering a boat and are wondering how to respect our natural environment and reduce your carbon footprint during your navigation. On board, as at home, it’s necessary to create eco-responsible habits to achieve ‘clean travel’. In line with World Ocean Day, and our ongoing responsibility for environmental care, we have written this guide to good practices for responsible and sustainable sailing, and preserving our ecosystem.
• Travel Responsibly
Where possible, choose the most eco-friendly way to travel, reviewing train travel as well as flights, before finalizing your trip.
GlobeSailor work with Option Way which allows you to choose the most responsible flight with the least Co2 emission.
Also consider where, when and how you travel. Some countries depend on tourism as their main source of income. Consider taking less trips each year (reducing your number of flights/train journeys), and consider a longer stay, allowing you time to discover a new country and culture.
• Support local economy
There are many ways in which you can support local economy when travelling. Stay in locally owned accommodation and visit independent and locally owned restaurants and establishments – they are more likely to purchase locally: food, drinks, decoration, entertainment, etc., employing local people. Knowing that you’re contributing to the local economy will feel great and you’re also likely to be saving money and having a more authentic experience!
Purchase local produce. This is an opportunity to purchase unique artwork, hand-made items, souvenirs, clothing. Taste the local cuisine cooked in an authentic way. Be smart, don’t purchase coral or ivory goods.
• Sailing close to home
Commit to discovering your own history and culture. Many of us take flights and travel to ‘unknown’ destinations without realizing the beauty that exists on our doorstops. Take time to discover locations near you, that are off the beaten track, or discover your country by boat – offering a totally different point of view.
• Reduce your packaging
Recycling well is not recycling!
Avoid packaging, where possible, when purchasing your groceries and choose items packaged in cardboard, glass or tin – items that can be reused or decompose easily.
Remember to remove the packaging and dispose of it in the appropriate bins at the port before boarding.
Avoid disposable dishes and plastic water bottles. Instead, where possible, purchase 5 litre containers of drinking water and use them to refill your re-useable water bottles.
Be respectful of water resources and ensure your consumption of water onboard is not excessive.
During your charter, ensure that packaging is removed from products and disposed of while inside the boat, to prevent any items from blowing away.
Tip: As at home, use fabric bags for shopping during your stopovers.
• Waste management
If you have followed our initial advice, you should have less waste to sort on board. Good management of waste-sorting will allow you to fully enjoy your charter. Cardboard packaging is easy to fold and store. For organic waste, reserve a small bin or bucket, which you can empty more than 12 miles from the nearest coast or at the appropriate disposal point in port. For glass items such as wine and beer bottles, use a box to store these items and remember to ensure it’s in a secure place throughout your navigation!
During your stopovers at the port or at anchor, disembark with your waste and dispose of it in the recycling bins provided.
MARPOL (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) sets the rules for the management of waste at sea. This prohibits throwing plastic objects and paper, glass or metal objects into the sea. It tolerates the dumping of food waste more than 12 miles from the nearest land.
We also advise you to pay attention to the quantities of food on board in order to limit waste. If you have leftovers at the end of your cruise, you can share them with your crew. Consult with the rental base or the housekeeping team to find out if certain foods that can be stored can be left for boaters who embark after you.
To find out more, we invite you to read our article ‘Top tips for refuelling’.
• Collect waste
If you come across floating waste (nets, plastic bags, plastic bottles, etc.), manoeuvre to collect it! You will have the opportunity to make a small gesture for the planet while training your crew with the manoeuvre! You can also organize a waste collection on a beach, a fun activity to occupy your children during a stopover.
• Use biodegradable products
In order to protect the seas, oceans and marine fauna and flora, it is essential to use biodegradable cleaning and hygiene products: dishwashing product, shower gel, shampoo, sunscreen, etc. There are even soaps and shampoos that can be used in seawater, perfect for showering on deck using less fresh water!
• Use port/marina infrastructure
Most ports and marinas have facilities designed to make your daily life on the boat easier and preserve the environment:
– emptying spaces for black water and grey water,
– sanitary blocks: dishes, showers, toilets,
– sorting points for recycling and decomposable waste.
Tip: when you fill up with fuel, use a funnel to avoid any spillages in the port.
The European Clean Ports certification, which meets specific and demanding criteria, is awarded to ports that make concrete commitments to preserve the environment.
• Navigate by sail rather than motor
Whether you are sailing a monohull or a catamaran, hoist the mainsail and unfurl the headsail as soon as you can. Plan your program according to the weather conditions to advance as much as possible thanks to the wind. This way, you limit your fuel consumption, lower your costs at the gas pump and reduce your carbon footprint.
• Practice responsible fishing
In order to respect the maritime environment and the species that live there, fishing on board a boat is regulated. Before casting your line, you must make sure not to fish in prohibited areas, to respect the limitations and to use the appropriate equipment.
• Respect marine life
GlobeSailor takes you sailing to more than 180 destinations around the world. During your charter in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean or Pacific Ocean you will be closer to nature and will be able to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you. To make the most of it while preserving the fauna and flora, you must adhere to these rules:
– do not collect shells, stones and corals
– slow down if you are driving and approach a wild animal
– stay away from natural areas where wildlife come to feed, rest or breed
– anchor with care: avoid fairground anchorages and instead opt for organized anchorages on buoys or in sand or mud.
You’re ready to set sail for a sustainable and responsible cruise. By following our advice, you become an eco-boater concerned about the elements around you and you contribute to preserving the seas and oceans. Thank you!
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