10 Sustainability tips for sails

Every one of us can make personal choices to help safeguard the environment!
Follow these rules to care for the environment while on the water:

1. Avoid plastic: use reusable or compostable items, for example, bring your own reusable water bottle wherever you go. The Yacht Club has installed a water fountain that anyone can use!
2. Separate your waste for recycling and don’t throw anything in the sea: separate waste on board correctly (plastic, glass, paper) and put it in the bins at the marina where it will be collected.
3. Use environmentally friendly detergents and cleaning products: for both personal hygiene and cleaning the boat. Make sure that they are biodegradable.
4. Don’t release blackwater near swimming areas, in marina’s, harbours or at anchor.
5. Limit the use of fuel: sailing without having the engine on full throttle will not only help you to save fuel (and money), but will also reduce the disturbance to marine fauna. 
6. Prevent fuel loss: refuel your boat when you are in port, not on open water, and check that there are no leaks from the tank or reserve tanks before setting off.
7. Do not waste water: eliminate wastage of drinkable water and, when rinsing the boat, use flow restrictors to help reduce consumption.
8. Use eco-friendly sun creams: chemical solar filters can contain ingredients that are not only harmful to our health but are also highly toxic to the marine ecosystem.
9. Protect the seabedand do not drop anchor on Posidonia: dropping anchor and dragging it along the seabed can cause significant damage. Posidonia (seagrass), for example, is a plant that is an essential part of the marine ecosystem and it takes decades to grow.
10. Respect marine protected areas: marine protected areas are zones where activities are regulated to protect the natural environment. Each marine protected area has its own rules and regulations to be followed, be aware of them.

Become an Ocean Defender by promoting and applying these positive actions and reporting situations of potential environmental damage to the authorities

Sign the Charta Smeralda online on the website 1ocean.org