Simple Affordable Swaps for Sustainable Sailors!
Sailors have particular responsibility to keep our oceans clean and help wildlife, as often you are dealing with oil and antifreeze, and sailing near many of our coastal birds and marine creatures. If you sail alongside pooches, read up on dog safety at the seaside (many harbours are not dog-friendly).
The Green Blue is the organisation for UK sustainable sailors, with info on protection wildlife, preventing invasive species, greener boating and how to dispose of old boats (and report abandoned boats, which can leak fuel).
Choose biodegradable cleaning brands and store paint and oil securely (just one litre of spilled oil can pollute one million litres of seawater). Use drip trays and funnels and recycle oil when back at shore. And use pump-out facilities at shore for blackwater.
Download the guide on using anchors with care, to prevent harm to seagrass (and creatures that rely on it like seahorses and sea turtles). Advanced mooring systems has developed mid-water floats that elevate chains from sea-beds, leaving seagrass undisturbed. Respect voluntary no-anchor & no-access zones.
SEAFLEX is another anchor alternative – an elastic mooring solution for docks and pontoons and other places that can even be secured in locations exposed to extreme weather conditions.
Tips for Wildlife-Friendly Sailors
Green Blue offers It offers a free downloadable book on boating near wildlife. Don’t exceed 4 knots when close to shorelines and banks. Slow down to no-wake speed if you spot wildlife, and lower your voices (and turn off music).
Don’t drive through pods or groups of creatures, this can separate them from their young. Same applies to jet skis. Follow advice from DEFRA’s Marine & Coastal Wildlife Code (do not chase, harass or make noise around seals, nor feed or touch them).
If you run a charter company, you can take a 5-hour course at WiSe Scheme. It teaches how to protect wildlife at sea, and you get a certificate to put on your literature.
Tips for Fishing Boats
If you are an angler or sail a fishing boat, avoid using methods that trap other creatures, and avoid over-fishing too. Read our tips on how to prevent ghost fishing waste.
Monomaster is a nifty invention from The Netherlands that unlike conventional fishing line recycling bins (which often have birds tangled up in them) keeps fishing line and tackle safe until you can safely dispose of it.
If you run a charter company, you can take a 5-hour course at WiSe Scheme. It teaches how to protect wildlife at sea, and you get a certificate to put on your literature.
Fishing for Litter has worldwide volunteers on fishing boats, that fill up bags to recycle at port. So far fleets in England have removed hundreds of tonnes of marine litter from oceans (along with textile and scrap metal, which can be sold for extra income).
The Green Blue’s Boating Pledge
This is the manifesto from the green boating organisation. In Summery:
Minimise Noise
Especially important in water, as noise travels further and disturbs birds and wild creatures. Never sail through birds or creatures on the water, as this can split mothers from their young.
Minimise Wash
This can uproot vegetation and cause soil erosion, and even cause damage to other boats and loosen their moorings.
Keep to Speed Limits
This helps protect local birds and wildlife. It’s also good to reduce fuel use and maintain engine efficiency, as well as of course reducing risk of collision. If you see wildlife, slow down to a no-wake speed and use binoculars to view from at least 300ft.
Don’t Throw Anything Overboard
Even milk from coffee can cause bacteria in the water, and an orange peel takes 2 years to break down. Keep it all on board and dispose/recycle when you get back to shore. Secure bins (so items don’t blow into the water).
