No. 2 in our series of Sustainability questions and answers by Gemma @SeastainableYachting 

Sustainability Musings; 

A new month, a new column. A new (improved) future, perhaps, already?

The last month has seen a splash of positivity, with the world returning slowly to a somewhat new normal. The increasing vaccinations and lockdowns slowly lifting in some areas are providing light at the end of a long tunnel. Now, let’s hope it also brings the urgency of sustainability agendas and plans into practice. 

In sustainable yachting news this month, I can’t help but notice the increasing stream of eco-friendly news coming into the limelight. With the IMO roadmap for a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050, this is hardly surprising. There seems to be a seismic shift towards sustainable builds and if others aren’t working to do the same, they will be left behind. It is great to see various shipyards churning out yachts with a difference, whether that be greener propulsion, eco-friendly antifouling or sustainable interior designs, the design and build process is certainly making waves. 

So, how about onboard? We all know that to change existing processes and practices is a lot harder than a blank canvas to work from, but there is still hope. Seastainable’s contact form responses are increasing by the day, with lots of yacht crew coming round to the idea of implementing sustainable changes onboard. Our latest resource is one for the HOD’s, helping them make changes at a departmental level. 

The P Word 

This month, I want to address that ‘P’ word, our global plastic problem. Whilst I don’t want this to be a regurgitation of scary stats and mind-blowing statistics, I will start by pointing out a few to put it into perspective. 

A garbage truck full of plastic is thrown into the ocean every minute, every piece of plastic ever made still exists, 9 million tonnes enter the ocean every year, and finally, this is the one that as an avid scuba diver hits home – there will be more plastic than fish by 2050. 

Plastic is literally, everywhere. 

Its life continues after its use on our planet, it permeates the soil and ends up in our oceans and ecosystems. It is one of the most pressing environmental issues, the debate surrounding plastic is fast-growing but unfortunately, it hasn’t seemed to have made a dent in the amount produced, used and then discarded. 

Whilst speaking to a family friend (of the older generation) recently they pointed out that ‘but quite simply, plastic transformed our world’ – the convenience level is indisputable. So, yes, plastic did transform the modern age, it revolutionised medicine, provided equipment for clean drinking water, it has saved lives through various medical equipment however this convenience factor has unfortunately led to this throwaway culture. And, therein lies the problem, its persistent lifespan, like a bad smell, it never leaves. 

So what even is it?

Plastic is simply a common term to describe a wide range of synthetic materials, belonging to the polymer family. All plastics are also oily, which means 90% of virgin plastic are made from oil – not only are we making more of the stuff that never leaves, we are making it from fossil fuel. There isn’t a one size fits all with plastic either, there are various types, 7 to be precise. 

If it isn’t bad enough that it’s mounting up, it is also spilling into our oceans at a horrifying rate. The harm to marine life is unfathomable, impacting through choking, starving and poisoning. Most of the plastic pollution is in our oceans, making it near on impossible to retrieve it. Not only does it stay forever, but it also breaks down into tiny pieces, producing microplastics. The worlds seafloor is filled with over 14 million tones of microplastics. These can be found in drinking water and throughout our food chain, and in today’s Covid world, around 80% of hand sanitisers actually contain microplastics. 

But we can just recycle our way out of it right?

Wrong. Every year more than 400 million tones of plastic waste is produced globally, whilst that is pretty scary in itself, scarier is the fact that only 9% of it is recycled. Quite simply, plastic is hard to recycle and not all of it is even recyclable. Every time is plastic is recycled the polymer chain grows shorter, decreasing its quality. Recycling has become something of a minefield, and would call for another column or perhaps even a whole website about what you can recycle in one country versus another. A simple global unified recycling system would be a yachties dream but unfortunately, we still dream. 

What about the alternatives?

Biodegradable and compostable plastics are expected to break down in 6 months, which sounds a lot better than nothing however some of these plastics need industrial composting, meaning exposure to extremely high temperatures. Therefore these alternatives are unable to breakdown naturally if found in the ocean. A lot of biodegradable plastics cannot actually be recycled due to the additives they contain. These biodegradable plastics produce methane when left to decompose in landfills, and methane actually traps more heat than CO2, worsening the climate change effects. 

Whilst there are some plastics that are recyclable and therefore do not end up in landfill, the best solution is to prevent plastic from even entering our lives at all. Easier said than done. 

But, as David Attenborough says ‘we have a responsibility, every one of us,’

So what can you do onboard to help?

First and foremost, do a plastic audit onboard. It is effective and provides you with valuable information on how you can cut back. Collecting onboard plastic waste for a week really helps you understand where your plastic usage is coming from and then you can start to cut out the easy to replace items. Secondly, you should always be following the ‘Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Refill’ concepts, once you have exhausted these options, then opt for recycling correctly. 

You can also…

• Reduce your single use; think reusable water bottles, reusable cutlery, reusable coffee cups etc

• When reusables aren’t an option, choose materials that can be recycled (card, paper, aluminium, glass) 

• Take part in beach clean ups, this stark awareness of how much plastic washes up on the shore will help you and your crew in your quest for change
• Opt for large refillable & recyclable plastic products for cleaning & toiletries. Or even, opt for sustainable, non-plastic choices. 

• Seek out plastic free packaging suppliers, speak to the provisioning companies and suppliers you use and call them out on the amount of non recyclable materials they are using 

• Spread the word to others about plastic, be an advocate for change

• Look at your laundry practices; microplastics come off our clothes when washing and end up in the ocean

• Take reusable shopping and produce bags with you to the supermarket 

• Look at your galley and crew mess practices for food storage and leftovers

• Are your crew in need of a challenge? Why not do one and support and donate to plastic clean up charities 

• Sign and follow the Clear Ocean Pact 

• Download this useful app: My Little Plastic footprint

So, please, do something today, right now, that will curb your reliance on plastic. 

The future of travel 

From plastic to tin cans, the large ones with windows allowing us to move between continents in hours…

With some travel opening up, or indeed with a promise for the near future, I wonder about the long term impact of Covid on people’s attitudes to their travel habits.

The responsible recovery of the tourism and travel industries is paramount for a sustainable future. This recovery period will give operators and clients to think about their impact. Just recently, Air New Zealand’s chief environmental advisor has suggested an increase in flight costs as their new, post-Covid approach, as well as a departure tax to offset the environmental cost of flying. Albeit controversial, is this what it will take to cover the environmental costs that are already sky-high (excuse the pun)

How will this sustainable travel movement impact crew? Perhaps carbon offsetting will become ingrained into crew repatriation, maybe even a slower route home? Or more importantly, will we now think more before we pop somewhere on that 4-hour weekend flight?

Thank you for reading. Let me know your thoughts on the points raised this month and if you would like any additional information, drop me an email 

If you missed the last article you can find it here.

From Teaspoons to Main Engines: But what is actually in between?

We all know Global Services are one of largest Superyacht supply companies in the world. What we are certain you didn’t know is what they can actually supply. Here are 6 really cool things that you can order direct from them.

Manta5 Hydrofoiler XE-1

Is this the coolest thing you have ever seen?

The impossible, made possible, with the Hydrofoiler™ XE-1 by Manta5, the world’s first water-bike that replicates the cycling experience on water. Yes, you read that correctly. Cycling on water. Using the same technology as America’s Cup sailboats, the Hydrofoiler XE-1 expands cycling possibilities on a whole new water frontier.

Global services are an official distributor for this super cool piece of kit. Want to see this and more? Global have a vast Toy store full of amazing toys like this in their superyacht supply inventory. Check it out here.

Mobile Phone Contracts for Crew

Whilst you are flicking through your phone looking at the Global Services APP you may need to make a call! Lots of crew rely on data these days for their calls but, you still have to buy data somewhere. Whether it is for you, or a complete package for all the yacht phones, Global can supply these too. They don’t just supply the latest and greatest phones but the contracts too. Add to this the fact that they manage your contracts and make sure there are no horror stories and it’s another win. Oh, and it’s very competitive too. Have a look here

Zip Taps

How annoying is it at morning tea break when the kettle takes too long to boil? You’ve had one sip of your drink before “back to work”. It literally ruins your life twice a day!

Global has you covered. Just get in touch and order a new Zip Tap. Instant boiling, chilled or even filtered water at the touch of a button. This is a very popular product right now and is also discounted via Global.

Order direct through the Global APP for this to arrive with your next delivery.

Now all you need to do is persuade your chief engineer to fit it for you!

Tenders

Really? Yes you heard this right, Global can supply you with new and used tenders. Imagine this, you are on charter in the med and somehow your tender is damaged beyond repair. Your insurers will cover it but that doesn’t help you get a new boat does it?

This is where Global steps in. Due to their new relationship with Superyacht Tenders they are able to spec and order a new boat for you. They can also supply an interim tender to keep the boss happy until the new one arrives. There are no surcharges here and Global will match and sometimes beat the manufacturer’s price for the new boat. How’s that for service?

Global can supply anything from a 5m RiB to a 17m chase boat. And everything in between. Plus, if you have an old tender you need to get rid of this can be taken in part exchange too. Total no brainer as far as we are concerned.

Eco-Friendly cleaning products

Sustainability is a huge subject in yachting right now and rightly so. Global are taking this very seriously and therefore offer a large range of Eco Friendly cleaning products. Ecoworks Marine is one company growing quickly within the Superyacht industry and Global are happy to be able to do their bit for superyacht supply by offering such bio friendly products. These include;

• wash down soaps
• Surface cleaners
• Fabric Cleaners
• Sanitisers

Global also supply produces such as Bio D and Ecover so you can rest assured that all your cleaning requirements are covered and your eco conscience is clear.

Miele Appliances

We all know how busy the laundry can be on charter and also what a nightmare it is if a machine fails. Luckily Global has you covered here too. They offer a full range of appliances and spares with healthy discounts. So, next time you need new parts or machines get in touch to add them to your Global order.

So, if you didn’t realise you could buy all these things, imagine what else Global can supply you with. Their team supports a huge number of Superyachts worldwide and prides themselves on saving you time, money and stress with every order.

Get in touch to experience Superyacht Supply at its best.

MB92, the world leading superyacht refit, repair and maintenance group, announced today that it will be embarking on an intensive drive towards becoming more sustainable.

MB92 has been working towards more environmental practices for several years but in 2020 the Group decided to vastly increase its efforts and make sustainability one of its principal strategic pillars across both shipyards. As such, the Group has launched a 2021-2025 sustainability plan with which it aims to consolidate its position as a leader in environmental care in the superyacht refit industry.

The result is a 5-year plan, which will tackle six key areas of focus:

• Reducing the shipyards’ carbon footprint
• Reducing combustible gas emissions
• Minimising non-recoverable waste
• Improving port and sea water quality
• Reducing VOC emissions
• Improving social responsibility

Local and international commitments. 
As part of the plan, MB92 has forged alliances with local and international organisations such as the United Nations, the Water Revolution Foundation (as one of the first anchor partners) and the Catalan Government, through the Climate Change Agreements.

A large scope of initiatives
A significant multimillion euro investment will be allocated for the next 5 years enabling the Group to execute the goals that have been set with a large proportion to be invested in environmentally efficient infrastructure and Innovation.

A number of initiatives are planned for this first year and are designed not only to reduce the impact that the activity has on the environment but will offer benefits to clients in terms of greater efficiency and simplifying many processes such as shore power connections and waste management.

In Barcelona

In La Ciotat

[avatar user=”Gemma” /]

Sustainability Musings by Gemma, @SeastainableYachting 

The world is a complex, interconnected place and it is in a constant flux of change. It is also changing at a terrifying rate. From global warming, deforestation, water security, pollution, waste, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification, soil erosion to dwindling resources –  sorry, were you reading this for good news? 

The last few years have felt like these issues have gone from being ‘some day’ to something that we are now seeing the impacts of every single day. They are so big and complex, I find myself thinking surely someone has got to fix it from the top? How can, I, little old me, be expected to change anything? 

I imagine that is how you also feel? But amongst this pending doom is something we should all cling to – hope. Hope that we can turn it around. 

It’s true, we can turn it around. Times are changing, sure, maybe too slowly, but change is happening. Even in the process of typing this, there are new eco-friendly products in development, shipyards breaking through sustainable. Technical advances and even crew buying their last pack of plastic water bottles. Whilst I certainly don’t have the answers to fix the whole industry, what I do have is lots of ideas that will make a difference to our industry. 

There are changes you can make without political agendas and without big businesses having to dig deep to find their conscience. I have actionable changes, just for you…

Introducing Seastainable Yachting 

The industry is built upon a passion for the ocean, a drive to constantly improve and a commitment to please and offer the best to our clients. So, why on earth would we not want to protect its future? 

Sustainability needs to be on the top of every agenda. Enter  Seastainable Yachting. This purpose driven platform was founded by me back in 2019, for more information check out this interview. I have started this monthly column as a way of opening up the sustainability conversation even more.

Make a change

Making sustainable changes onboard can be overwhelming. Wondering if it really does make a difference? It does. I want you to use those feelings to fuel some active hope. Sitting and waiting isn’t the solution to any problem. Doing something feels better than doing nothing, every time. Seastainable is about doing. Changing some of the things we do, we buy, changing the way we, as crew, run Superyachts. 

But changing habits is hard work. Ask anyone that has tried to loose a few pounds or tried to stick to a new fitness regime. But also ask them how they succeeded – in small acts everyday. Making small changes builds into bigger shifts in social behaviour. Look at how quickly we all ditched plastic straws or stopped travelling in lockdown. 

Small acts multiplied by millions will transform the world (and, more importantly, our industry) So, read on for my top tips to make changes today. 

Top tips for making changes

• Get motivated:

  Find your ‘why?’, why you actually want to make changes? Why you want your boat to be run more sustainably – if my introduction wasn’t scary enough, please contact me for more information on why you should be wanting to make changes!

• Quick & easy does it:

  No-one will continue with anything if it isn’t easy to start with. Look at what can be changed easily without too much upheaval and start with that. 

• Don’t run before you can walk:

  Similar to picking easy tasks. Start with one – do not go out with the mindset to change everything. When you put your sustainability goggles on believe me you will see everything differently and want to change everything there and then but you have to start with a means to continue. 

• One step at a time:

  Yes being a ‘zero waste’ yacht would be amazing  but, completely overwhelming. Imagine where you are at now and where ‘zero’ would be – I know without even setting foot onboard your yacht that’s too much. So break it down into manageable milestones. 

• Progress not perfection:

  Quite simply, all progress is progress. Don’t beat yourself up about making it perfect, yet. 

• Be realistic:

  You work onboard a yacht with a unique set of circumstances, things change. Sustainability is such a huge topic, pick specific goals you want to happen onboard first. 

• Write it down:

  Accountability goes a long, long way. Display your changes and goals visually in the crew mess for everyone to see. I have some simple but effective downloadable infographics.  

• Don’t do it alone:

  You have a team onboard for a reason, this is a whole crew activity, involve everyone in your proposed changes. You also have Seastainable, I founded the platform to help others make changes, get in touch. 

• Set deadlines:

  Don’t procrastinate. Set timelines on when you want things to happen, e.g. by the time we leave the yard we will be doing X instead of Y. 

• Accept mistakes:

  Forgetting your reusable shopping bags doesn’t make you a failure – think about what went wrong and why and give yourself a better chance next time. 

What does our new future look like? 

Lastly, I want to end these columns looking out into the future and the wider world, bringing these thoughts back into our industry. 

Since the Covid pandemic this phrase of ‘new normal’ is being thrown around a lot. How should the world make its comeback? Should we go back to the way things were? Have we realised we can change certain things in our lives that really weren’t working out too well anyway? 

What does our industry need to do for our ‘new normal’?

• We need to clean up; clean up our workplace, the oceans
• We need to expand better; using the framework of circular economy 
• We need to create a better industry; a fairer, equal, more diverse one 
• We need to collaborate more; noone can prosper alone to solve these issues 
• We need to embrace positive change; and to implement these changes throughout the industry 

Thank you for reading, for additional information and resources please drop me an email or check out the website.