If you are thinking about spending quality time with your family on a yacht, it is important to understand that you have certain duties to cater to. Yachting has a significant impact on the water and the overall environment.
It contributes to pollution, disturbance to marine life, and damages the delicate ecosystem of our oceans. Can we prevent that? Yes, absolutely!
Let’s discuss 7 ways to reduce the impact of yachting on water and make our oceans a cleaner and healthier place.
Reduce the Use of Single-use Plastics
One of the most significant issues of yachting on the water is the single-use plastics used by the boaters. They greatly harm marine life and contribute to water pollution. So, what can we do about it?
Start with reducing the use of plastics. Bring reusable water bottles and cloth napkins instead of paper towels. Other than that, they can avoid using plastic utensils and straws for meals.
Appropriate Waste Disposal
This point is crucial. Proper waste management reduces the impact of yachting on the water to a great extent. Yachters must possess a designated waste disposal system on board. Moreover, it should include recycling and composting to ensure that all waste items are disposed of correctly and not into the water.
Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
Cleaning products house harmful chemicals which are toxic to marine life. This is where eco-friendly cleaning products come into play. They are a great way to reduce the negative impact of toxins on fish or other sea inhabitants.
Practice Responsible Anchoring
Anchoring results in seabed damage and destroys the habitat of marine life. Yachters can choose anchors that are less sensitive, for starters. Moreover, they can avoid areas with coral reefs or seagrass beds. Using a mooring buoy or anchoring in sandy areas also works in favor of saving the seabed.
Avoid Disturbing Marine Life
Yachting does disturb marine inhabitants like dolphins, whales, or sea turtles. Yachters must keep a safe distance and not approach or chase marine life.
Reduce Fuel Use
Yachting is mainly based on fuel which directly relates to the use of fossils. It contributes to pollution and climate change. Using efficient engines, reducing speed, and planning routes that require less fuel can help conserve resources. However, solar panels and wind turbines can also power up some of the electrical systems on board.
Support Conservation Efforts
Step up and put efforts into environmental safety by volunteering or donating to organizations that work to protect the marine environment. You can always take help from them to make more informed decisions on how to reduce yachting impact.
Final Note
These 7 tips are a great way to start your responsible yachting journey. Get in touch with experts from Watergate Marina to book a day with us.