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Purchase Carbon Offsets from ClimateCare calculated
to make our cruising carbon-neutral |
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Do not throw anything over the side – if by accident
we do – we practice man-overboard drills to retrieve it |
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Have fitted a holding tank for use in sensitive
estuaries and bays |
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Use shore-based toilets and showers whenever they
are available |
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Use fresh water or non-toxic solutions to clean our
boat wherever possible |
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Minimise the amount of soaps and detergents used in
onboard sinks and showers |
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Keeping our hull clean in order to be more fuel
efficient and also avoid the transfer of non-native
species |
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Try to avoid using products which contain chlorine
and bleach which are toxic to flora and fauna,
phosphates which can encourage algal growth and
triclosan. Use formaldehyde free treatments in toilets. |
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Do not permit smoking onboard |
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Strive to prevent plastic bags, drinks cans and
loose items from blowing overboard.
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Remove excess packaging and recycle it at home.
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Use recycling facilities at marinas, clubs and
harbour authorities – it’s the same quantity of waste
just a little more effort. |
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Where possible, reduce waste, a simple one is to
refill water bottles. |
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Make sure you don’t cause general waste to be
classed as ‘Hazardous’ by throwing items in the wrong
container, including paint tins, oily rags and old
electronic instruments. |
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Check bilge water for contaminants before routine
pumping. |
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Use a funnel when pouring fuel or oil.
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Regularly maintain fuel lines, connections and seals
helps avoid leaks. |
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Transfer used oil or waste fuel in proper containers
and dispose of in oil waste facilities.
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Dispose of all oily or fuel-soaked materials in the
hazardous waste containers. |
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When fuelling, avoid topping off or overfilling to
reduce the risk of fuel overflowing from vents. Allow
room for expansion in the tank.
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Never use detergents to deal with spills – it may
disperse the fuel or oil and save our embarrassment, but
they can be more toxic to aquatic life than the oil
itself. |
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Avoid using oil and fuel on the pontoons, other than
on those dedicated to refuelling. Off the boat, the
Government recommends a distance of at least 10m from
the water. |
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Have installed a drip tray under the engine is a
requirement on many waterways. If it starts getting
oily, find and mend the leak! |
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Keep a good pair of binoculars to hand – by keeping
your noise and wash down you may even see breeding pairs
in spring |
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Avoid stirring up the bottom unduly, or disturbing
vegetation and wildlife |
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Slow down if instead creating excessive wash – it
can erode banks, disturb nesting birds and damage
sensitive vegetation |
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Keep a constant speed and direction when we spot
whales and dolphins to avoid surprising or startling the
animals |
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Tell others what we have seen and help keep accurate
records by reporting your sightings
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Find out whether the areas you visit are protected,
and why. There may be vulnerable seabed species, so
beware of dragging your anchor. |
