The superyacht industry has an urgent need to embrace sustainability

The year 2030 is a significant milestone as governments around the world take action on sustainable development and environmental performance. Increasingly strict targets on emissions and a greater focus on social responsibility mean that the superyacht industry has an urgent need to embrace sustainability as a fundamental operating principle. Superyacht Engineers are problem solvers and solutions are needed. There is a coming need for well-educated and experienced people to proactively manage change. So, the time is ripe for superyacht engineers to reassess their skills and education in order to meet the coming challenges.

Today, we will hear from Mick Walsh, who is currently enrolled on the Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainable Maritime Operations program with MLA College.  

How did you get into the industry?

I initially trained as a marine engineer by completing an undergraduate Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Marine and Plant Engineering at MCI, CORK, Prior to undergoing seagoing training as an engineering cadet on crude oil tankers. I continued working on oil tankers after getting my Engineering Officer of the Watch and Second Engineer licenses. Following a brief stint on a cruise ship, I eventually found myself drawn to the superyacht industry. More than ten years later, I am still working on yachts, now as a Chief Engineer. 

 

Tell us about your current studies

I recently commenced my first term as a student with MLA College. I enrolled in the Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainable Maritime Operations program. It was an exciting moment for me as it is a long-held ambition of mine to pursue a postgraduate academic qualification. I spent a number of years searching for a suitable master’s degree program; I was motivated by a practical need to upskill, But also by a desire to return to education for the enjoyment of learning. I knew of MLA College and was seriously considering joining the Marine Engineering Master’s Top-Up program. 

 

Then, a few months ago, I came across The-OM (www.the-om.co.uk/smo) and Emma Baggett.  Emma acts as a guide and intermediary between MLA College and superyacht crew who are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Master of Science (MSc) in Sustainable Maritime Operations (SMO). My interest piqued, I reached out to Emma and we discussed the syllabus and my motivations, I realised that the SMO course aligned well with my professional experience and aspirations, and, it offered a broader range of learning to the Marine Engineering option. I also felt drawn to the content on a very personal level. 

 

What in particular made you drawn to this course?

I grew up in rural Ireland during the 1990s, a time of rapid change. Growth in intensive farming, urbanisation, and industrialisation led to increased pressure on natural resources. I spent my childhood messing about in boats on the River Slaney. Thus, from a young age, I was aware of the effects that pollution was wreaking upon the delicate river ecosystem. I developed a lifelong interest in topics such as the protection of river basins, biodiversity, and sustainable farming. But, I had compartmentalised these concerns away from my professional life. As I spoke with Emma, I realised that the MSc in Sustainable Maritime Operations could unite these aspects of my life and provide a possible future direction in my career. 

 

As well as on a personal level, this course is also important on a larger scale. Why is this?

The superyacht industry enjoys a unique, valuable, and interdependent relationship with coastal regions around the world. In return for access, yachts bring prestige and economic prosperity. There is a boom in employment in the support industries too which has revitalised formerly declining ports and shipyards. However, these communities are coming under increased pressure as a result of the growth of the yacht fleet. Especially with regards to additional marina berths, infrastructure, and services. We should not forget that some of the world’s most exclusive destinations are also those at greatest risk of the effects of climate change and that it is coastal communities that will ultimately bear the burden of inaction. Quite simply, the industry has a social as well as regulatory responsibility to respond to the needs of our hosts. 

 

As you have experience both in the commercial sector and the yacht industry, have you noticed any differences in attitudes towards sustainability between these industries?

One remarkable thing I noted when I entered the yacht industry is the can-do attitude of superyacht engineers. Compared to my experience in the commercial sector, there is a much stronger willingness to innovate, modernise and improve all manner of engineering systems and equipment. Sustainability simply was not part of the engineering vocabulary when I started my career. In fact, the prevailing attitude was that meeting the minimum regulatory standards was enough. The innovative culture in yachting can be harnessed to change things for the better. Sustainability requires us to consider the full impact of all of our decisions and truly understand how processes far beyond our control are affected by our actions. Not only this, it allows us to truly understand how processes far beyond our control are affected by our actions. We need additional skills and knowledge to navigate these challenges.   

Video by Hlyton John Timmerman- 3rd engineer

Due to this, do you think more superyacht engineers should consider further education?

Yes. Remarkably, few engineers look to further their education beyond their Certificate of Competency; perhaps many of us feel cushioned by the job satisfaction, defined career path, and relatively good opportunities ashore. However, I believe that a better balance is needed between academic and experiential learning. In my opinion, the Sustainable Maritime Operations program offers a lot for engineers at any stage of their career. In particular, I am looking forward to learning more about subjects such as project management, offshore renewables, and maritime strategy and finance as they will broaden my knowledge base and career opportunities. 

 

Do you have any advice for those who are starting to think about further education?

For those who want to broaden their horizons but are not yet ready to commit to a college course, I recommend joining a professional body in order to nurture your Continuous Professional Development (CPD). CPD describes your efforts to remain proficient, competent, and abreast of new developments through learning and experience. For example, via training courses, e-learning, webinars, technical papers, on-board projects, etc. The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) is the foremost professional body for marine engineers. There are several more maritime-focused organisations such as the Nautical Institute and Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA) as well as broader cross-discipline engineering institutes.  

If you are interested in returning to study, or if you don’t have a degree and wish to start, then you too should reach out to THE OM. http://www.the-om.co.uk/smo

Emma has deep personal experience in both the yachting and education sectors. She will provide guidance and advice on the Sustainable Maritime Operations courses. As well as helping you through the application process. I truly valued Emma’s input when I applied. 

 

What are the requirements for acceptance into the course?

There are multiple routes available. Because of my BEng degree, I was accepted directly to the MSc Program. But, if you have a Chief Engineer Unlimited or Yacht 3000 CoC you can apply for direct entry to the Bachelor of Science (BSc) final year or direct entry onto the MSc. If you hold an Engineering OOW CoC, you can also apply for the final year of the BSc without any previous academic qualifications. The program is completely flexible and structured with the unpredictable nature of seafaring in mind. 

 

To Conclude

It is an exciting and revolutionary time to work in the maritime industry, as new technologies and procedures are developed to meet the need for cleaner shipping. There is no better time for superyacht engineers to take advantage of further education and learning opportunities!  I hope more will take the plunge.  

If you are a superyacht engineer considering further education get in touch with Emma Baggett, at emma@the-om.co.uk

And for the latest industry news, click here.

 

 

Gemma Harris is back for Sustainability Musings; the step-by-step series. Today, we focus on the Heads of Department

This month’s step-by-step focuses on the management of sustainability, via the Heads of Departments (HOD’s). There is still a gap between those making sustainable changes onboard and those who don’t. This is where the HOD’s come in. 

There is a lot to juggle when running a department. From making sure everything runs smoothly, to managing individuals. Therefore, when it comes to ensuring you are also making sustainable decisions, these can sometimes get left behind. Moreover, the culture of sustainability onboard can be preached more than it is practiced. Recognising this and integrating sustainability into management can have a positive effect when making changes onboard. 

This step by step helps break down ways in which we can achieve sustainability via the Heads of Departments:

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Knowledge

Every day is a school day 

 

Knowing how to create sustainable changes is one of the many barriers to improving. It is hard to integrate things when are you aren’t sure what you need to do. One thing you can do without any external help is to raise awareness of sustainability within your department. Subsequently, opening up the conversation on changing things onboard. Integrate sustainability into your weekly meetings and discussions. As a HOD you are the representative for your department so why not join the SEA club as an ambassador?  Show your commitment to running a more sustainable yacht as a result. 

 

Moreover, other things you can do to improve knowledge include: 

 

• Educate and train your crew on sustainability initiatives onboard you are aware of
• Include these initiatives in departmental handbooks and handover notes 
• Lastly, look into external training, contact Seastainable for more information

 

Mindset

You can’t solve problems with the same thinking you used to create them

 

What mindset do you foster as a HOD? Are you thinking about sustainability enough as an individual? Do you practice what you preach? These are things to think about before trying to change anything onboard, you need to have the correct mindset to make change happen. A sustainable mindset is a set of beliefs, attitudes, and expectations about the world. It leads us to take actions using resources carefully, mindfully, and concerning social justice. 

 

Certainly, when thinking about the mindset it is important to understand sustainability within its three-dimensional concept: 

 

• Economic. Recognise the need for a more circular economy within the industry. And, a regenerative system to eliminate waste and continual use of resources. 
• Social. Understand the quality of relationships onboard between the crew. As well as the importance of crew wellness and recognise the reasons for crew retention and turnover. A socially efficient yacht enhances its social capital, the crew. 
• Environment. Recognise how the yacht procures, uses, and disposes of materials, energy, and resources. An environmentally effective yacht operates to minimise resource use and pollution. 

 

 

Action

Make changes today 

 

Remember that being sustainable is a long game. Therefore, when establishing changes onboard, do so with a long-term perspective. When making the changes, make them SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time frame) goals. As a HOD, allow all of your crew to get involved. It’s good for them to contribute ideas of things you can change and make those changes easy, to begin with. 

 

Leadership is about getting people to go where they wouldn’t have gone on their own. In terms of making actionable changes onboard here’s what you should do: 

 

• Identify areas you want to change
• Discuss and establish the sustainable values and standards for your department 
• Plan to commit and engage in sustainable decision making 
• Execute the changes onboard
• Finally, maintain thorough tracking and record the changes you make.  This will allow you to make more sustainable goals and initiatives in the future

As Al Gore once quoted, there is a “growing need for leaders who take us far, fast.”

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We hope to see more achievements in sustainability via the Heads of Departments!

For more information and resources, get in touch with Seastainable. 

For the latest Superyacht news, click here.

Cover Photo by Sherif Moharram on Unsplash

Sustainability Musings; the Step by Step Series

This month’s step by step focuses on sustainability within the superyacht deck department. The deck department can play a huge role in helping the sustainability of a yacht. From simple changes such as environmentally friendly boat soap. Through to more complex issues such as the sustainability of the teak. I have put together a few ideas below to get the deck team started on their journey to sustainability.

 

Cleaning & Maintenance 

The deck department is well versed in keeping the outside of the yacht looking pristine. But, when it comes to cleaning and maintenance there are a few changes that can be made to improve the sustainability of the yacht.

• Switch the boat soap for an environmentally friendly brand
• Use reusable rags for polishing
• Be mindful and conscious of water usage
• If you need to replace water hoses, replace them with sustainable alternatives
• Keep a well-documented maintenance rota for everything on the deck to reduce repairs and having to replace things

Guest Activities 

It can be hard to change guest preferences. However, there are a few things you can do when guests are onboard to help the sustainability of certain decisions.

• When anchoring, be mindful of the seabed and watch out for seagrass and coral in particular
• Try to encourage the use of more sustainable water activities such as snorkelling and paddle boarding over jet skiing and hoverboards – or even look into electric and hydro-powered water sports toys
• When getting beach bags together, liaise with the interior department about sourcing reusable water bottles, sustainable towels and ocean-friendly sun cream
• Source sustainable brands for rash vests and sunglasses for both guest and crew usage

 

New builds & Refits 

Depending on whether the yacht is in the build process, having an extensive refit or just a yard period there are a few factors you can change when it comes to sustainability.

• Ensure that the new or replaced teak is from a sustainable source
• Source sustainable docking lines, made from sustainable materials
• Replace the toxic antifouling process with sustainable alternatives, also keep on top of hull cleaning as often as possible
• Switch out toxic paints and varnishes for non-toxic and more sustainable where possible
• Liaise with the Captain and do your research on where you are going, there are a lot of great initiatives from yards implementing more sustainable practices.

 

There are lots of things you can do on deck to help improve sustainability onboard. But also be aware that you can continue your sustainability efforts back inside the yacht. For example, be mindful of the recycling practices. Turn things off when not in use e.g. lights and water. And, try to help the chef by limiting food waste are just a few ideas.

Sustainability onboard is about more than just reducing single-use plastic. It is about all the practices and processes that are carried out. If you begin to notice things the yacht can improve on, bring it up with the rest of the crew and draw up an action plan to change things. The power of the crew to make changes is huge and will drive our industry forward.

Hopefully these tips can help you bring more sustainability within the superyacht deck department!

Remember- there can be a more sustainable way to do pretty much everything. Be sure to integrate some of these deck ideas within your team today, for more information on any of the ideas above or any further questions, get in touch with Seastainable.

And for more of the latest industry news and content, click here.

It is no surprise that the awareness surrounding Superyachts and sustainability is ever increasing. To make a dent in our footprint, we need to try to have the most sustainable Christmas possible. This means starting with the small efforts we can make on board, small changes add up to the big impacts.

With the holiday season upon us once again – where did 2022 go?! – this is the perfect time to think about things you can do to reduce your impact. At Christmas, rules can go out the window. It’s a time where the potential for excess waste is high- overindulging, overconsumption and mass shopping are rife. So, here are the 12 ways that you can have a more sustainable Christmas.

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1. Reduce Your Waste 

Have a plan when it comes to your food shopping, have menu plans and comprehensive lists so you don’t overbuy. As a chef make sure you discuss the crew festive preferences. If you do have leftovers, which tend to be inevitable around Christmas – use or freeze them.

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2. DIY Décor 

Ditch the unnatural, glittery and plastic decorations this year. Starting with the Christmas tree, it is a great idea to re-purpose a tree or plant that you may already have onboard. When it comes to the decorations, have a crew evening of making handmade decorations from natural things around you, get creative if you are in the Caribbean – why not use what you have and put a tropical twist on the decorations.

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3. Conscious Buying 

One part of Christmas is about the giving and receiving of gifts, you can still do this but there are many ways you can make it better for our planet. Make sure you research what you are buying; buy second-hand, ethical, local and sustainable gifts. Another idea is to buy non-physical gifts, arrange a day out that you can enjoy for your loved one instead. You can also introduce the concept of buying less, instead of buying for the 10 other crew members, do an onboard Secret Santa!

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4. Wrap Responsibly 

When you do buy physical gifts, make sure you have a sustainable way of wrapping them. There are lots of sustainable wrapping paper and tape out there now or even switch to using fabric you already have.

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5. Say It Sustainably 

Thousands of trees are cut down each year for Christmas card production, make sure you buy a sustainable and recyclable card, send an e-card or even better simply pick up the phone for your Christmas wishes.

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6. The Time For Giving 

When it comes to Christmas, sometimes the sentiment of giving and receiving can get lost in overconsumption, instead of buying and consuming give the gift or your time. There are various initiatives around the festive period within communities to help out those in need, if you have extra holiday days why not do some volunteering. If you don’t have the time but do have some spare cash, why not give it to a charity that is close to your heart.

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7. Say No To Plastic 

The increase in the amount of packaging around the Christmas period is scary, from both food and gifts. In the UK alone, 125,000 tonnes of plastic packaging will be generated during the festive period. Be mindful of what you are purchasing and what it comes in. When it comes to single-use plastic, look for reusable and sustainable alternatives.

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8. Party Properly 

Christmas isn’t just about one day, usually, the whole festive period can be somewhat unsustainable. If you are throwing a Christmas party this year be as sustainable as you can. Replace disposable cutlery and glasses with non-disposable, source local and seasonal food, look into buying sustainable alcohol and make your decorations.

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9. Come Together 

Whether you are with your family, honouring traditions or onboard with crew creating new ones, festive periods are about spending time together.

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10. Connect With Nature 

The festive period can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you aren’t at home with your own family. Be sure to take some time out for yourself, connecting with nature is a great way to do this whether you go for a quick dip or a long walk, get outside and notice what’s important away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas.

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11. Wear It Well 

From enjoying a Christmas party, walking around a Christmas market, going out for a Christmas dinner to simply chilling out in your new Christmas jumper, there are various events in the festive period where you may be tempted to buy more outfits. Be aware that fast fashion is a huge issue when it comes to sustainability, think twice before you buy, donate unwanted outfits and buy from sustainable and ethical brands.

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12. Travel Responsibly 

If you can travel home this Christmas from the yacht then look at off-setting your travel home. If you can, try and make all journey’s more sustainable, for example, choose the train over flying.

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We hope you have a merry and sustainable Christmas!

Be sure to enjoy any time off you may have this festive period and remember what’s important this Christmas. These 12 ways should help you have a more positive impact on the festive period.

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Yacht Crew’s Guide to Sustainability within the Superyacht Interior Department

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach with anything and that is particularly true when it comes to yacht crew sustainability and making sustainable changes onboard. All yachts have different demands, different barriers, and different departments. So, as a development from my sustainable musings, I will write up a step-by-step crew sustainability series for each department onboard. Because, well, sometimes an actionable ‘to-do’ list is what it takes to get the job (and make the change) done.

We’re shifting our focus to sustainability within the superyacht interior department. When it comes to the interior of a superyacht, things can differ hugely between vessels, there is so much scope with various materials, products, ornaments, care guidelines that all need to be cared for and maintained.

With that in mind, I have created some general interior sustainable steps that you can begin to carry out throughout the yacht.

Housekeeping

• Use eco-friendly cleaning products.
• Where possible, buy large refills for dispensers rather than lots of small bottles.
• Use microfiber cloths rather than cleaning wipes and disposable cleaning paper.

Laundry

• Recognise the microplastics issue within the laundry and use filters
• Use eco-friendly detergents
• Use cold wash & low-temperature cycles where possible
• Reduce the use of dryers where possible and use dryer balls rather then sheet.

Service & Guest needs

• Replace plastic water bottles with refillable jugs & glasses
• Utilise shells and natural decor for table decorations
• Research long term flower solutions, such as preserved arrangements
• Replace bar accessories with sustainable options e.g reusable straws
• Implement eco-friendly guest toiletries and reef-friendly sunscreens or at least large refillable if you cannot change the brand
• Create welcome notes which highlight the sustainable efforts you are making onboard

Crew

• Have separate recycling bins in the crew mess
• Replace any single-use plastic you can within the crew mess
• Change crew mindset for the better, highlight things you can easily change. For example, energy consumption – simply turning off lights that aren’t in use.
• Introduce the topic of sustainability in weekly/monthly meetings, appoint a sustainability advocate within your crew to oversee this
• Do regular waste audits onboard and highlight any waste issues
• Highlight the importance of reducing food waste when it comes to leftovers and stock rotation within the crew mess
• Research and use responsible suppliers for the interior e.g. sustainable uniform

Billions of actions and decisions got us where we are now. Therefore, it will need billions of small actions and decisions to overturn these unsustainable ones into sustainable. So what are you waiting for?! Make sure your interior department is making sustainable steps today.

For more sustainable swap ideas for the interior, be sure to check out the infographics on Seastainable’s website!

For more of the latest iSuperyacht news, click here.

The statistics for global food waste are eye-watering. Tonnes (around 1.3 billion a year) of edible food goes to waste daily – but how? Food is the only waste we can actually eat!

Whether you are docked nearby to a supermarket or stocking up for long crossings. As yacht crew, you are also contributing to this problem. And unfortunately, usually more than the average household. You only have to glance out at the dock at 5 pm to see how many bin bags are being carried through the marina- to the (hopefully) relevant bins to recognise how much waste superyachts create.

When it comes to food waste, there are many easy hacks within our control to help waste a little less and become more sustainable in the galley. So chefs, listen up – this is your time to shine that sustainability torch because we are giving you: the top 10 ways Superyacht Chefs can be more sustainable onboard!

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1. Planning is Key

As with everything in life, planning helps. And, when it comes to the galley it helps a lot. You need to have a plan for the week when it comes to provisioning and menus. That way you will know what you need to buy and what needs using up first. Planning menus which rotate stock well is also important. For example, if you won’t be able to get to a shop for a few days obviously those bags of salad need to be used before the butternut squashes.

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2. Recycling isn’t Just for the Crew Mess

It sounds like an easy one. But, if the galley isn’t next to or nearby the crew mess where the recycling bins are, then sometimes the rest of the boat can forget. Especially when it comes to the galley. Think about all those jars, cardboard packaging and (unfortunately) plastic packaging which can and should be recycled. If you struggle with space in the galley, create a small box where you can gather things up. Then you can drop them off at the main bins throughout the day.

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3. Inventive Leftovers

No one likes ‘leftover’ day. Sometimes, if chefs serve up leftovers this can cause some tension. Other crew may question ‘what else were they doing?’ and no, the galley doesn’t have self-cleaning surfaces and equipment! Leftovers can be easily hidden and reinvented. It’s a great way to unleash your chef creativity. For example, throw an egg and some soy sauce in that leftover veggie couscous from lunch, and you have some Asian fried rice hidden amongst tomorrow nights Asian buffet.

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4. Get Personal

Crew can be complicated creatures, creatures of habit and creatures of constant change. So, knowing what they like and dislike can be difficult to grasp. And let’s not even start on the guests… So as you would for guests, make a crew preference sheet and get everyone to fill it out or even do it the old fashion way and talk to everyone! Get to know preferences and that all-important spice level. Then, plan accordingly. Within a busy period, chefs tend to grab and go but try to sit down at least a few times a week with everyone to gauge what people like. And, it’s also useful for a portion size guide.

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5. Respect The Seasons

Choose local and seasonal where you can. Not only will it taste better but it is better for the yachts carbon footprint. It will also foster easy variety within your menus. Although yachts don’t tend to have the easiest of growing environments, why not try out a herb windowsill in the galley or mess. This is one of the core ways superyacht chefs can be more sustainable!

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6. Manage All The Waste

A mentioned food is the waste category that can be eaten. Whilst it is tough to have a completely empty galley bin, why not try out some of these ideas:

• Add fruit peels to drinking water
• Make smoothies from bruised or ‘on the turn’ fruit or chop them up and freeze
• Make juices from excess vegetables
• Save up the ‘wastage’ from prep to make stocks and freeze
• Freeze anything that won’t or can’t be used in time 

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7. Greener Galleys

Green cleaning isn’t only for the interior. When stocking your cleaning cupboard in the galley ensure that you have minimal and eco-friendly products. There are so many great products out there now – plus the faithful alcohol and vinegar. As for other products, go as green as you can – say goodbye to cling film and replace it with beeswax paper and stasher bags to maximise freshness and utilise existing storage containers for things.

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8. Make Vegetable The Main Player

This doesn’t mean a drastic move to turn all the crew vegan, but it doesn’t hurt to focus on the vegetables. There is so much creativity out there now surrounding plant-based food. From reliable informative sources to media frenzies and fake news- there is a lot of content at the moment about what is truly sustainable when it comes to our diets. It is hard to know what is right but moving towards reducing meat in our diets, sourcing sustainable seafood and focussing on plant-based should give you a good sustainable start. Have a read of Superyacht Content’s article, Plant-Based Chefs you need to be following for recipe inspiration.

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9. Make It Last

Whether or not you are in a marina, making food last longer is easily more sustainable. There are so many easy ways to increase the longevity of food. For example- pickling, fermenting, correct storage and temperature control of fridge and freezers. If you still find you have an excess in something then look outside, toward the local community and give to food banks where you can.

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10. Use Responsible Suppliers

When using provisioning companies and agents, ask questions. Check to see where they are sourcing their products, look for ingredient certification and ensure the packaging isn’t just plastic upon plastic. There are a lot of companies out there now highlighting their sustainability efforts so ask them what it is that they are doing.

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We have all heard the word Ethical, and we all know the term, but all the different information often leaves us wondering how ethical can it actually be? So we asked the question. How ethical is Ethical Yacht Wear?

For some of us, the challenge of working in the superyacht industry is enough, but others need more. Today we speak with Lauren Wardley. Lauren has only recently left her full-time stewardess position onboard (60m) M/Y Samadhi after 2.5 years on board. During this, she launched Ethical Yacht Wear because she noticed a gap in the uniform market. We interviewed Lauren today to find out more about her brand and just how ethical it is.

 

Lauren, tell us about your background and how you got into the industry?

Before working in the yachting industry, I worked in various hospitality jobs, from bartending to hotel management. I have always had a passion for customer service, so it only seemed fitting to combine my love for hospitality and the ocean and enter the yachting industry.

My first position was a deck/stew role on a 108ft Benetti. I started applying for jobs before I completed my STCW. I was due to finish my course on Friday and got a call on Wednesday asking if I could leave for New York on Saturday. That’s right; I was on my way to New York on Saturday! I couldn’t believe it when I landed my first job so quickly.

 

How did you manage your time between being a stewardess whilst starting your own business?

I had a fantastic crew! They wanted nothing more than to watch me achieve my goals and dreams. It was because of them I could establish and work on Ethical Yacht Wear. However, it also took a lot of self-discipline, sacrifice and time management!

 

When and where did the journey begin? What inspired you to create Ethical Yacht Wear?

Ethical Yacht Wear is now two years old, and I can’t believe what it has achieved in that time! The idea stemmed from another ocean giving back brand I owned. I sold my branded organic cotton t-shirts to sponsor ocean clean up, which has now developed into Ethical Yacht Wear.

My inspiration for Ethical Yacht Wear came from wanting to provide a not so environmentally friendly industry with an environmentally friendly solution to a global issue (the garment industry). It has also always been my dream to create a circular, giving back business.

We give back by providing a sustainable solution that does not affect our oceans adversely (like regular clothing), and through a percentage of profits, Ethical Yacht Wear sponsors ocean clean up and research, as well as aids in reducing poverty in coastal communities.

So who helps you run Ethical Yacht Wear? Surely you can’t do this all on your own?

I am the sole person running Ethical Yacht Wear! I employ the help of freelancers online regarding things like web development and SEO, as this is not an area of my expertise. However, leaving my last position on M/Y Samadhi, I have taken the leap to focus on Ethical Yacht Wear full time, and there are big plans on the horizon!

 

When you started Ethical Yacht Wear, did you see it expanding as much as it has?

I had no idea! I didn’t know how it would develop, and I am so proud of how it turned out. It is incredible to see that so many people in the superyacht industry embrace sustainability as part of life and want to make changes to reduce their impact on the planet.

 

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic affected Ethical Yacht Wear?

It has, although this has given me a great opportunity to work on a lot of back of house projects, and since taking the leap to work on the company full time, I am so very excited to see what the future has in store for us!

What is the most significant milestone for Ethical Yacht Wear so far?

There are several I can think of, but the one I am most proud of is that we have sponsored the removal of 4 tonnes (the equivalent to 200,000 500ml plastic bottles) out of the ocean to date. We have done this by helping pay people in poorer nations to collect this plastic as jobs; this, in turn, increases their livelihood and helps reduce poverty.

I am also so proud that Ethical Yacht wear provides an easily accessible, sustainable solution to a global pollution issue (the garment industry).

 

Do you design the clothes yourself?

Yes! As we know, there is not a lot of room to move with a uniform. However, I have just designed our first line of eco shorts and skorts just about to launch!

We offer all of our clients a bespoke service where you can design elements of your yacht uniform – if you need a custom design, style or colour that you cannot find, this service comes in perfectly.

Where are your clothes sourced? Do you know they are coming from an ethical factory? 

I have spent a lot of time researching this, and it is scary how many clothes produced are made as cheaply as possible for the western world. All Ethical Yacht Wears Clothes are from sustainable, fair trade factories!

At the moment, Europe and India are the two places I am sourcing from.

So, what makes your clothes so ethical?

First of all, every item we supply is made from organic cotton. Regular cotton farms are sprayed with large amounts of toxic pesticides and fertilisers, which run off into the ocean, creating large dead zones (areas of the ocean where sea life has died out and can no longer exist). We make sure we do not contribute to this by only using organic cotton.

If we use any other material, it is also a sustainable material or recycled material, so we are not introducing any new material into an already saturated garment industry.

Finally, every person making the uniform is paid a fair wage and provided proper, safe, and clean working conditions, which is rare to come by in the garment industry.

 

If all yachts turned to Ethical Yacht Wear, will Organic Cotton remain a sustainable way to supply the industry?

Absolutely! Organic cotton reduces toxic ocean runoff and helps protect aquatic life: the more people that use organic cotton, the better.

What are your goals for the next year?

To continue refining and growing Ethical Yacht Wear into a uniform company that every boat buys their uniform from, with a mind to make changes for the better.

We don’t charge a premium, so we can make this sustainable uniform available to everyone! We will also hold clean-ups, events, and other excellent ocean awareness and ocean saving initiatives.

 

Crew often get stuck with a lot of old and damaged uniforms. What is your advice for those looking to get rid of it? What is the most environmentally friendly way to deal with old clothing?

I always believe in giving clothing to people in need. However, if crew are worried about printed logos, the best solution I have recently come across is this fantastic company called TerraCycle which provides a solution to recycling anything! Regarding clothing, they either reuse, upcycle or recycle. Or get in touch with us directly, and we will help provide a solution!

 

Where do you see Ethical yacht wear in 5 years? 

As not just a company, but a yachting community that provides sustainable uniform and brings people and yachties alike together to meet up, exchange ideas and make sustainable changes within the industry for the better!

 

 

You can also check out their fantastic ambassador club – www.seaambassadors.com that brings all those in the industry that would like to come together to help create change for the better! Check it out for more about how we do this!

 

For more articles on sustainability click here

Superyacht Sustainability and the myths that surround it in the yachting industry

In the wake of this year’s World Oceans Day, it was refreshing to see so many industry players highlighting the overdue need to protect our oceans and, our industry. But, is enough being done about Superyacht sustainability?

With the Med season kicking off, I do worry that sustainability may get left at the winter berth. It is the common case of getting too busy, general to-do lists getting pushed behind important guest requests, and crew tiredness reaching a peak.  So, where does that leave sustainability?

This got me thinking about that common misconception that sustainability measures “take up more time”. So, this month let’s discuss the many myths and misconceptions of sustainability onboard.

 

Debunking the most common superyacht sustainability myths onboard

Myth: It will cost the yacht more money.

Truth: A lot of yacht crew feel that sustainability will skew their budgets. It may feel more expensive to start with, but fundamentally sustainability is about investing in more stable and high-quality systems. It is about slowing down purchasing, buying less, and reducing overconsumption. For example, if the yacht must purchase a filtration system to eradicate plastic bottles. Think about this one-off payment versus the hundreds of shopping trips or orders to agents you make for water bottles. Put simply, sustainability pays itself off in the long run.

Myth: Sustainability is only about the environment.

Truth: When you think about sustainability pertaining to simply just the environment you can lose sight of the bigger picture. It is a three-dimensional concept that also considers the social and economic impacts. Check out part 3 of these musings which discuss the social impacts when it comes to a sustainable yachting industry.

Myth: It takes too much time to be sustainable.

Truth: If we are honest, convenience is a yacht crews’ best friend. If it is quick, easy, and gets the job done then it’s a winner!  Sustainability doesn’t have to take up more of your time. It may take extra time in the beginning to alter mindsets and process changes. Bu, your new sustainable methods will eventually integrate into the yacht’s routine, soon becoming the new normal,  just like any other changes made on board.

Myth: Superyacht Sustainability compromises luxury.

Truth: Incorporating sustainability onto a yacht does not mean reducing the standard of living, it is about future-proofing the yacht and the industry to ensure it doesn’t compromise future generations’ use. It is not about depriving the yacht of anything it needs. It is about using what you have on board already and being mindful of the new things you purchase.

Myth: All the crew must go vegan

Truth: When it comes to the future of our planet and oceans there has been a lot of focus on the way we grow and consume food. There are a variety of diets out there that are claiming to be “the best for the future”. Whilst evident that a more plant-based diet will lessen your environmental impact. That doesn’t mean the crew has to sacrifice their Friday night BBQ burgers. Reducing meat consumption is important so, keep the burgers but introduce meat-free days. Crew preferences and ever-changing diets are a tough one to navigate onboard, especially with the influence of certain Netflix documentaries. If going plant-based will cause too much contention, the best thing crew can do is reduce the yachts’ food waste. There are so many ways to reduce food waste and no amount of food should be taking up bin space.

Myth: Biodegradable & compostable solutions are great alternatives.

Truth: When we all became very aware of the plastic problem we have on a global level, there was a huge push to reduce one’s plastic consumption, especially single-use, with those solutions came ‘biodegradable’ and ‘compostable.’ The issue here is that they come with their own problems and can sometimes land up in landfill anyway, for example, it may mean that they only degrade under special conditions which in turn complicates the recycling of them. The best thing to eliminate single-use plastic onboard is simply with reusable products.

Myth: One yacht prioritising superyacht sustainability can’t make a difference.

Truth: Most people within the industry may think that their actions do not impact the industry. Firstly, let’s think about that popular quote, “it’s just one straw – said 8 billion people.” Like it or not, each yacht and every crew member have an impact. There is a lot of crew that believe that the changes they are making are too small to make a dent in our problem but that is what got us here! Billions of unsustainable actions and decisions got us to where we are today, so what better than billions of sustainable actions and decisions getting us out of it?

Myth: Change can only come from legislation.

Truth: Whilst this intervention is crucial in making change compulsory for superyachts – why should we wait? We should make change through our choice rather than force. We can want to make the industry a better place without having to drown under a mountain of more paperwork and jobs lists.

The Long Game

Whilst I may have answered a few general arguments here when it comes to sustainability on board, ultimately it is a huge all-encompassing topic and there is always more to learn.

You cannot label a yacht ‘sustainable’ until a life cycle of every practice and product has been analysed. Even then, processes and technology are constantly evolving. To get to the goal of the industry becoming sustainable, there need to be plenty of discussions, thoughts, and changes being made on an ongoing basis.

If you or your crew have a specific question about making sustainable changes onboard but are not sure if you are going the right way about it, get in touch with Seastainable today to discuss more.

To read more of our articles on sustainability click here

For the rest of the SUSTAINABILITY MUSINGS follow this link.

BELUGA is crowned Yacht of the Year
in the Ocean Awards 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA:

M/Y BELUGA¸ a 34.7-metre Moonen based in Port Douglas Queensland, has been crowned Yacht of the Year in Boat International’s Ocean Awards for 2021.  The award, in its first year, is recognition of BELUGA’s Owner and crew’s efforts to survey and protect the marine ecosystem as part of the Great Reef Census. 

BELUGA was entered by charter management company, Ocean Alliance and the submission highlighted the Owner’s commitment to ocean conservation and pioneering the way forward for the superyacht industry, embodied by Ocean Alliance as ‘Yachting for Purpose’.  

Specifically, the Owners donated utilization of the yacht to Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef’s scientists. They completed necessary surveys, testing of new equipment, and piloted research and development which supported the inaugural Great Reef Census to become a pioneering and scalable approach to assessing reef health.

“We would like to congratulate Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef and the Owners and crew of BELUGA for their leadership in marine conservation and their positive contribution to the very region in which they charter” stated Ocean Alliance’s Managing Director, Mr Joachim Howard.

“This award represents a clear example of how Owners and Charter guests can participate in the monitoring & preservation of the marine environments they are experiencing,” continued Mr Howard. 

Mr Howard explained, “Ocean Alliance partnered with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, several years ago with a combined interest to connect the superyacht industry with citizen science initiatives such as the Great Reef Census.  When in 2020 a vessel was required to assist with testing new technology ahead of the first Census, it was only natural for us to approach BELUGA as the Owners are actively involved in ocean conservation.” 

In late 2020, on a leg post-charter from Cairns to Lizard Island in Queensland’s far north, Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef spent valuable time onboard BELUGA testing equipment and surveying priority reefs.  It was the first time equipment had been applied in a real-world application and BELUGA the first superyacht to be involved in the Census.

What is the great reef census?

The ambition of the Great Reef Census is to capture reconnaissance data in the form of images from across the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, up to 40% of which has never been surveyed previously. This data will help researchers and managers better understand how the reef is changing year-on-year under climate change.

The Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef team developed a model and technology which would allow any vessel to upload survey images of the reef to a central source from remote offshore locations.  Over 13,000 images were uploaded to the Great Reef Census website for researchers, regulators, governments, students and ordinary citizen scientists anywhere in the world to analyse, view and study. 

 “The Great Barrier Reef is close to 3000 individual coral reefs stretching over 2300 km, an area larger than Germany. Utilizing the assets already out on the reef every day to support critical research and critical monitoring will become even more important in the coming years” stated Mr Ridley.

Mr Ridley continued, “The support we received from Ocean Alliance and the Owner and crew of BELUGA was invaluable.  It gave us a chance to pilot important new technology which was critical to the successful roll-out of the Census. We hope the Award will encourage more superyacht Owners and Charter guests to be part of this exciting project in 2021.”

Involvement

BELUGA’s involvement in marine conservation extends beyond Australian waters to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to include supporting a turtle sanctuary in the Conflict Islands, Take 3 for the Sea and supporting the production of conservation documentary, BLUE.  These are not activities removed from their charter season yet integrated into the guests’ experience whilst on charter.

“Our charter guests are looking for yachting experiences with deeper meaning and BELUGA is the leader in this field,” continued Mr Howard.

“Involvement in the Great Reef Census is easily incorporated into an itinerary and we would encourage charter guests, crew, and owners, to participate,” offered Mr Howard.

“It is a simple way of contributing and protecting the precious element that makes superyacht charter so exceptional. At Ocean Alliance, we support Yachting for Purpose and feel there is a huge opportunity for Superyachts to be involved in these citizen-science initiatives,” adds Laurie Foulon, Charter Experience Manager.

The inaugural Great Reef Census has just closed, capturing over 13,000 images across 690 reef sites from the far north to the remote Swains. s.  Between October and December 2021, the Census aims to reach and survey even more of the GBR and Ocean Alliance welcomes enquiries from superyachts, owners, charter guests and scientists who wish to be involved.

Want to see more news from us? Have a look here

The Seabin project

The Seabin Project was devised by Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski in 2015. It started from a simple idea. If there are bins on land, why not install a bin in the water to filter waste from the sea? Over time, the scope of the project evolved. It developed into a comprehensive research, technology, and educational initiative with global interest and reach. The goal of the creators, also shared by MB92, is ambitious. Improve the water quality of all oceans so that we might live in a world without the need for sea bins.

How do they work?

The sea bins work by moving up and down with waves. They collect all waste that passes through. Water is sucked from the surface using a submersible water pump. (capable of displacing up to 25,000 litres per hour). It then passes through a collection bag inside the sea bin itself. Each unit plugs directly into an electrical outlet. Once activated it enables the water to be pumped out while retaining the debris within the sea bin bag.

The shipyard’s maintenance team is responsible for monitoring and emptying the contents. This is once or twice a day depending on how full they are. The results of the extraction are then sent to the Seabin Project team for analysis and research purposes.

A process in constant improvement

Each sea bin has the capacity to collect about 6kg of waste in its basket. This may not be enough on stormy days or rough seas. The Seabin Project is working to improve the results for those days when the tide brings greater amounts of waste. The aim is also to expand the level of participation in the project to collaborators and ports. Among these, in addition to MB92: Marina Port Vell and Port Adriano (Spain), Safe Harbor Marinas (USA), Le Grande Motte and Poralu Marine (France), Porto Montenegro (Montenegro) and Wärtsilä (Finland).

183m REV Ocean Yacht

 

She can’t technically qualify as the ‘World’s largest Superyacht’ until she is in commission. Which has now been delayed until at least 2024 due to technical issues at the Vard Group Shipyard. However, the team behind the construction of the 183m REV Ocean Yacht continues to strive towards the completion of the vessel, and develop on their research work which aims to improve ocean health and sustainability in yachting.

REV Ocean Yacht dimensions:

• LOA: 182.9M
• Beam: 22M
• Draught: 5.5M
• Air Draught: 42M
• GRT: 17,440
• Crew: 50
• Guests: 28

She might be the largest Superyacht, but what is the purpose behind this?

Yes, we all know she’s huge and most people have probably seen all of this before but REV Ocean will be a true phenomenon in regards to the sustainability in yachting. The non-profit organisation will be using the profits generated from their projects to reinvest back into their work for a healthier ocean. 

REV Oceans goal

The REV Ocean company was established on July 20th, 2017, and was funded by Norwegian businessman Kjell Inge Røkke. With the TAG line,  “One healthy Ocean”, their mission is to educate people on the ocean to help them go from ‘Curiosity to understanding the solutions’. In other words, the goal is to drive attention to how people can help the marine life, as well as helping our oceans recover from the negative impact of these three areas:

• Plastic pollution
• Climate change and ocean acidification
• Overfishing and environmental impacts of fishing

You can learn more about how they plan to do this by Clicking here. In the meantime, please take a minute to consider how you can help contribute towards a healthier ocean.

Watch Now to see the Seanoics crane Installation on REV Ocean:

Superyacht content would also like to add that we look forward to participating in an in-depth interview with the REV Ocean team at some point in the near future.

For the latest Superyacht News, Click here.