Charting a course towards maritime sustainability: RTYC’s commitment to cleaner seas

As a leading yacht club, with a unique historical perspective, and recognising our responsibility as stewards of the sea, our mission is to promote a culture of conscious boating and a deep connection with the marine environment. 

We will strive to achieve our mission and make a difference guided by these principles:
·       Leading by example: Adopting standards and guidelines for our members, that are embedded in our maritime activities.
·       Education: Through training, events and member engagement.
·       Fostering Collaborative Partnerships: Seeking partnerships with like-minded clubs and organisations.
·       Advancing Innovation: Promoting and supporting events, products, and initiatives, that have a positive impact on the marine environment.

 
  
Introduction
A number of organisations have made great progress in establishing best practices for yacht clubs and boat owners. The RTYC uses the following resources to guide its activities.       

     


The organisations mentioned above have established guidelines and toolkits to help event organisers, boats owners and skippers to make appropriate decisions and take necessary actions. The actions fall into the following areas:

1. Efficient use of energy and water

2. Reduce, reuse and recycle

3. Waste disposal and pollution avoidance

4. Biofouling and wildlife awareness

The club will adopt the guidelines and resources provided by these and other organisations, as they become available. The guidelines are summarised below. Across all areas, it is recognised that measurement and communication, where possible, greatly help embed successful practices. 
  • General guidance for members
    • General Guidance to members and their guests

      We recommend being aware of the following areas. For further reading the RYA Green Blue initiative provides a number of useful guides. Click here to read more. 

      Efficient Energy & Water Use 

      • Where possible use shared and public transportation to and from an event or activity.
      • Avoid extended showers and use sea water to wash and clean in the galley.
      • Minimise generator power use and maximise effectiveness of solar power and other renewable power sources.


      Reduce, Recycle & Re-use

      • Drinking Water - use refillable bottles when afloat.
      • When provisioning, minimise food packaging and avoid single use plastics.
      • Use the recycling facilities at the marinas.


      Waste Disposal & Pollution Avoidance

      • Use detergents and cleaning products that are kinder to the marine environment
      • Be aware of Black water policies when moored or anchored
      • Report pollution incidents, using these links:

      UK Coastal - MMO Marine Pollution teams

       UK Rivers and Estuaries - Environment Agency

      • Don't throw anything into the sea (with the exception of organic food waste offshore) 
      • Collect rubbish, including that left by others (e.g. individual or organised beach cleans)


      Biofouling & Wildlife Awareness

      • Be aware and respect sensitive local areas and their ecology. The following links may be of assistance:

      UK Marine Protected Areas (MPA)

      MPA Map (by JNCC)

      • Be responsible whilst anchoring to avoid damage to the seabed.
      • Have an appropriate behaviour towards fishing, collection of sea life and interaction with wildlife
      • Avoid purchasing products made from protected species
      Please read and heed any advice provided by your event organiser or skipper.
  • Yacht Owners and skippers
    • Yacht Owners and Skippers

      The skipper or boat owner is responsible for providing an environment for their guests and is considerate to the maritime environment. The club has found the following guides informative:

      Efficient Energy & Water Use

      • Informed vessel purchase and maintenance to maximise fuel efficiency

      Reduce, Re-use & Recycle

      • Recycle old equipment and sails
      • Be responsible for vessel disposal and scrappage

      Waste Disposal & Pollution Avoidance

      • Oil and fuel leak and spill management
      • Use of detergents and cleaning products on or in vessels that are kinder to the marine environment
      • Antifoul choice, application and removal
      • Black water management

      Biofouling & Wildlife Awareness

      • Clean vessels between locations to avoid the spread of invasive species
      • Be responsible when anchoring to avoid damage to sensitive areas of the seabed
      • Appreciate protected areas for marine or coastal wildlife and avoid disturbing them. 

  • Event organisers and Managers
    • Event Organisers and Managers

      The planning and organisation of events, along with communication to the event’s participants, are key to making RTYC events sustainable, without detracting from the enjoyment and experience. We believe the following guide is a useful resource for event managers.

      The key concepts from these resources are as follows:

      Efficient Energy & Water Use

      • Minimise energy consumption at event location by working with facility operator (e.g. lighting, heating and water consumption)
      • Where possible select the appropriate type and number of race management boats to maximise  over all event fuel efficiency.  Well maintained boats should produce less pollution.
      • Encourage responsible use of water to wash boats
      • Promote and facilitate shared transport to event where possible

      Reduce, Re-use & Recycle

      • Careful procurement of consumable products at events, from catering, advertisement and decoration to event bags and prizes
      • Avoid food waste through event planning
      • Encourage participants to use refillable drinking water bottles
      • Provide clearly labelled recycling facilities

      Waste Disposal & Pollution Avoidance

      • Ensure enough waste facilities are available, to avoid and discourage littering
      • Give advice and information on vessel cleaning in marinas or on boat hards
      • Work with local clean beach initiatives to educate and inform
      • Highlight and encourage use of facilities to manage spills and pollution associated with antifoul, fuel, oils and black waste

      Biofouling & Wildlife

      • To avoid the spread of invasive species,  highlight the local challenges to event competitors and encourage appropriate vessel cleaning where necessary
      • Provide participants with responsible anchoring to avoid damage to sensitive areas of the seabed at the event location
      • Appreciate protected areas for marine or coastal wildlife and appropriate behaviours to avoid disruption
  • Feedback and Evolution of our Guidelines

    •  

      Feedback and Evolution of our Guidelines


      The RTYC aims to continue to improve these maritime sustainability guidelines and we welcome any feedback. Thoughts and suggestions should be communicated to:

      • Your Skipper
      • The Event manager
      • The Chairman of the RTYC Maritime Sustainability Committee ([email protected])
      The maritime sustainability committee fosters relationships with a number of external organisations to ensure its guidelines are up to date and effective in improving maritime sustainability. Organisations wishing to contact or work with the RTYC regarding the guidelines should contact the Chairman of the RTYC Maritime Sustainability Committee.

      The RTYC maritime sustainability committee review these guidelines on an annual basis and as required, communicate changes and updates as well as regular reminders through the club’s usual communication channels. 
 

Get involved

  Member involvement is the key to defining and delivering the Club’s Maritime Sustainability Programme. Contributions can be made in a number of ways:

- Specialist Advisors eg: a Marine Biologist
- Reporting member’s sustainable activities
- Identifying sustainable technologies or businesses  

Please contact Chris Griffiths, Director of Maritime Sustainability.