RYA theory courses and the environment

The RYA is working to raise the awareness of our impact on the sea when we go yachting.  We have to accept is that sailing usually has an environmental impact. In what way? And what can we do about it?

ABC Sailing, through RYA theory courses in yachting and sailing, help students become aware of their actions at sea and provide ideas on how to minimise the impact when they go yachting or motor sailing. For example: The construction of boats. Different manufacturers have different environmental standards. One can expect the Swedish to lead in this respect but ask, for example, where do they source their teak? ABC Sailing knows of the source of sustainable teak if they do not.

Maintaining moorings and marinas.

Whoever owns your mooring or the marina you use should have an environmental policy. Ask to see it and quiz them about it. Maintaining your boat.

Antifouling, the paint that is put onto boats to stop weed and sea creatures sticking to the hull, has done immense damage over the years. The situation is improving but there are niche products on the market that can take a leap forward. We encourage our students to investigate all the options.

Using your boat.

There are simple things we can do to maintain our yachts in a way that does not impact on the marine environment. Here are a few:

• Use a "sock" to soak up dirt in the bilge instead of pumping it out.
• Use a whistle in the diesel fill tube so that you do not spill when refueling.
• Use Ecover as your washing up liquid.
• Consider the battery and shore power arrangements carefully so that you avoid using the engine to charge the battery more than necessary.
• Never throw anything overboard, not even a fag end or an apple core. Trees and apples do not grow in sea water so they take months or years to break down.
• Plan your sailing to take advantage of tides and wind so that your need for engine power is small.
• Carry a light ghosting spinnaker or asymetric sail, for when winds are light. Make sure you know how to raise and lower it elegantly.

Why not add your ideas to this list? Email rupertemerson@hotmail.com

You can also look at the RYA website Green Blue. www.thegreenblue.org.uk

Interesting information can also be found at www.songofthewhale.org about the impact of noise on marine mammals. ABC Sailing is currently in the process of linking up with IFAW, the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Rupert Emerson, the Principal of ABC Sailing, is planning to give talks aid of IFAW. Look on www.kippatravels.com for updated information.