STEPS TO GREENER SAILING
■ Cleaning products Ensure the products you use to clean your boat meet Marpol standards. An example is Ecoworks products. They have a complete range of products that are biorenewable, biodegradable and sustainably formulated to minimise the stress, acidity and impact on the marine environment.
■ Food coverings We have become heavily reliant on clingfilm. Try a different option as a sustainable alternative, such as beeswax wraps or silicone stretch lids.
■ Regularly clean your boat to remove biofouling to reduce drag and aid fuel consumption. This will also help remove harmful invasive species and plant matter too.
■ Consider using alternative energy sources such as solar panels, hydro generators and wind generators and changing to lower energy alternatives such as LED lighting. Recharge your batteries through electrical hook-ups onshore instead of running your engine. This will minimise emissions and noise and keep the air cleaner too.
■ Install tap aerators that can reduce the amount of water used by up to 80%. This is all helpful if managing your water usage between refills.
■ Fit sound insulation around the engine It can cut noise by 85% and vibration absorbers can also reduce structural noise by 85%. Keep your speed down to minimise fuel use and emissions. Ensure weight within the craft is evenly distributed to keep it level and provide a smoother ride and more mileage per litre. Regularly check and service your engine. Fresh oil, clean spark plugs and dust-free air-filters all help lower fuel costs and emissions.
■ Consider cleaner and more efficient engines such as a 4-stroke outboard, electricpowered propulsion and hybrids compared to the traditional 2-stroke outboard engines. These have lower emissions and are quieter.
■ Washing down Only use a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle to ensure minimal water is wasted when washing down or filling tanks.
■ Hull waxing Wax helps you become fuelefficient and reduces the need for cleaning products to be used over the season.
■ Sails and ropes If replacing ropes or sails, consider repurposing the old ones or recycle them with an organisation that makes products with the materials, such as dog leads, or sun awnings and deckchairs, for example. When selecting the new replacement, look for those that source sustainably and use recycled materials, and ideally select products that can be recycled.