Charter Sustainbly: Spotlight on our new Sunreef 50 Eco, Tiril

We are excited to announce an addition to our crewed charter catamarans. This Sunreef 50 Eco, Tiril, is perfect for those wanting a quiet luxury and a lighter carbon footprint on their charter.

What makes Tiril more sustainable?

This isn’t just any charter catamaran; the Sunreef 50 Eco range is electric, innovative, and eco-conscious in design and operation.

One standout feature is that you can cruise silently with Tiril. The Sunreef is fitted with solar panels, and with energy produced by these and the hydro-generators and wind generators, it boasts silent cruising. The energy is stored in ultralight battery banks, custom-engineered for the Eco range.

The onboard air conditioning system is revolutionary, designed to keep you cool while conserving energy efficiently and not requiring a noisy generator.

Where will Tiril be?

Tiril will be available for charter across French Polynesia. An incredible, once-in-a-lifetime destination, the islands have plenty to offer. From lush islands and pristine waters to an abundance of tropical marine life. Cruising them in a Sunreef is perfect due to the shallow draft – well suited to easily navigating the atolls and idyllic anchorages.

Our team can help you with bespoke and tailor-made itineraries, from Moorea to The Tuamotus, helping you explore the best of Polynesia while minimizing your carbon footprint.

What does Tiril offer?

The Sunreef Eco 50 has four double ensuite cabins and a bunkbed cabin accommodating up to 10 guests. The yacht is fully equipped with everything you will need on a charter and has been finished with eco-responsible materials and sustainable decor.

You cannot cruise French Polynesia without plenty of watersports gear. Trill has sustainable sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and wing foiling equipment.

Onboard Tiril, you will be well looked after by its crew. Captain Clement has a passion for sailing and sustainability. He has sailed extensively for years and the last few have been spent exploring French Polynesia. He has also created an eco-responsible cocoa trading company. Lili, the cook and host, is a native of the Tuamotus. She will show you the incredible warmth of the people and culture of the islands. She will also ensure the highest level of luxury and comfort onboard.

Get onboard Tiril today!

What are you waiting for? To enjoy a greener crewed charter catamaran on Tiril in French Polynesia, contact the Boatbookings team today. We are passionate about our oceans and the impact the boating industry is having; that’s why we make sure we champion these greener alternatives going forward. Make a difference today and book a more sustainable charter option.

Posted on September 8, 2023 by admin

Yacht Show Season: Showing Off Sustainably

After a successful summer in the Mediterranean, we are approaching the anticipated yacht show season. Yacht shows are the highlight of our boating calendars and are not to be missed.

In recent years, more efforts have been made to host greener shows with more exhibitors with sustainable solutions and better initiatives for running a more sustainable event.

At Boatbookings, sustainability is high on our agenda, particularly with our offerings and our greener crewed charter catamarans. With the Cannes Yacht Show (12-17 September) and the Monaco Yacht Show (27-30 September) on the horizon, we reflect on some of the initiatives yacht show organizers and attendees are doing to help step up sustainability.

Waste less

Yacht shows have long been tarnished with excessive waste. From setting up temporary infrastructure to a lot of single-use plastic, we are seeing a shift in recent years. There are numerous small changes that are helping reduce waste, such as lanyards being either made from recyclable materials or being returned to be reused. Other marketing materials such as business cards, brochures, and flags have also started to pop up in reusable and recyclable materials – we most recently came across business cards you could plant and grow into a flower! There have also been moves for event organizers to be more mindful of infrastructure. For example, after last year’s Fort Lauderdale show, the marquees were donated to a sea turtle conservation organization.

Offsetting travel

It isn’t a surprise that people come far and wide to yacht shows. The boating community is global, and this additional travel adds to the carbon footprint. However, more organizations and attendees recognize this and have begun to offset their carbon responsibility, contributing to environmental projects. We already have our carbon emissions calculator to calculate emissions for each boat, allowing you to offset when you charter. Perhaps more shows could also have this in place. Last year Palm Beach Show teamed up with Yacht Carbon Offset to facilitate this.

Catering to sustainability

Yacht shows usually have many opportunities to network over meals and drinks. More shows have implemented sustainability initiatives regarding their catering suppliers, for example, using local and seasonal produce and composting any waste. As well as these choices, many of them also aim to use better packaging and minimize single-use plastic.

Platform for change – Electric featured yachts and sustainability hubs

The yacht shows are the perfect opportunity to showcase innovative technology in the realm of sustainability, such as advanced propulsion or products made from eco-friendly materials. They also set the stage for effective discussions around sustainability. Many of them hold specific seminars, presentations, and workshops on the future of the industry. Some also have dedicated areas to showcase sustainability, such as the ‘Green Route’ at the Cannes Yacht Show, highlighting exhibitors’ sustainable solutions, and the Sustainability hub at the Monaco Yacht Show. For instance, Sailia Yachts will be in the Hub with their line of fully electric motor yachts that can accelerate to 32 knots in 7 seconds!

Contact us to meet one of our Boatbookings brokers at any of the upcoming shows, to chat all things sustainability, and to find out about our greener crewed charter catamarans.

Posted on September 6, 2023 by admin

Saving our seas: Pioneering efforts that are helping to preserve the Mediterranean

We love this time of year amid the Mediterranean charter season. But while we love the summer on these seas, we also know that not only is it a host for a crewed charter catamaran, but it is also a vital ecosystem that needs protecting.

Like the rest of the world, the Mediterranean faces serious environmental challenges, such as pollution, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change/warming of its waters. However, it isn’t all bad news. There are several initiatives, campaigns, organizations, and projects in place that are helping to preserve our playground.

We take a look at some of them here:

Marine Protected Areas

Similar to national parks and nature reserves that protect habitats and species on land, there are also global networks of Marine Protected Areas. Specifically in the Mediterranean, the surface under protection status is currently 8.33% (2020 figure). This collaborative effort involves various organizations, agencies, and stakeholders across the countries. Every four years, MedPan assesses the areas and releases a report – they are crucial for conserving and restoring the health of our ecosystems at sea.

One example of a protected area we love to cruise (responsibly) at Boatbookings is the Brijuni National Park in Croatia, on the Adriatic Coast. The protected area includes 14 islands and the surrounding waters. The area boasts impressive biodiversity with coral reefs and is home to loggerhead sea turtles.

Isla de Tabarca marine reserve is another one of our favorites. It is also the oldest of all the network of reserves, covering a vast area off the coast of Alicante, in Spain. The seabed is covered with Posidonia seagrass, vital for oxygen production.

Anchoring Regulations

Aside from the marine protected areas, various local regulations and legislation are in place for certain boating activities. Anchoring is one of these activities that can harm the seabed unless recognized, and steps are taken to minimize this, such as Captains being aware of the restrictions put in place.

One example is from the French Maritime Prefect and the recent restriction on anchoring within certain parts of the French Riviera and Corsica. Decrees now identify areas where anchoring is prohibited to protect Posidonia seagrass, which is essential to the ecosystem and underwater biodiversity.

Removing waste

Another essential aspect when conserving our oceans is responsible waste management. Many key issues result in pollution of our seas, such as discarded fishing nets and plastic.

Some organizations are working hard to turn this around. Healthy Seas is an organization focussing on removing marine litter, particularly from fishing nets from the Mediterranean. They work with volunteer divers to recover nets from reefs, wrecks and marine biodiversity hotspots. Another initiative is the Seabin project. Seabins have been installed in several Mediterranean marinas to help capture floating waste – just like bins on land!

Clean beaches

Keeping our surrounding beaches clean is so important. In the Mediterranean, there is a ‘Blue Flag’ status, a prestigious recognition awarded to beaches meeting stringent environmental criteria.

The program aims to promote sustainable tourism and raise awareness about protecting coastal areas. Aside from this status, several beach clean-up initiatives happen year-round in Europe. Even if there isn’t a specific event happening where you are, always be environmentally responsible and pick up trash whenever you come across it.

A collaborative effort

These efforts and collaborations are making a positive lasting impact on the preservation of this marine ecosystem for others to enjoy in years to come. At Boatbookings, we are hopeful that these initiatives will inspire others to join the cause and contribute to the ongoing protection and conservation of the Mediterranean. Without change, our future summers will be in danger.

Contact the team at Boatbookings if you are interested to join the wave of change and charter a more environmentally crewed charter catamaran for next summer season.

Posted on July 10, 2023 by admin

World Ocean Day: What can we do together to help preserve our seas?

Today is World Ocean Day, a day to celebrate and honour the importance of our oceans. This year’s theme is ‘Planet Ocean: tides are changing.’

The oceans are our lifeline, literally. They provide us with 70% of our oxygen and cover 71% of the Earth’s surface. Without them, both humanity and our yachting industry would cease to exist.

At Boatbookings, we understand that we are united by oceans and reliant upon their health. We have long been an advocate for protecting them and continue to do so. To ensure their survival in the future we need more collective action.

What are the main threats facing our oceans?

It is important to identify the main threats facing our oceans in order to understand what the issues are why we should protect them, and how to work to do so.

Plastic pollution: An equivalent of one truckload of plastic enters the oceans every minute, damaging the ecosystems and entering the food chain.
Overfishing: 90% of the world’s wild fish are either fully or over-exploited due to destructive fishing practices.
Ocean Warming: Increasing ocean temperatures are affecting marine species and ecosystems and driving up sea levels.

Why else do we want to protect them?

It is the ultimate playground: The ocean is different everywhere you go, from Greece to Croatia, to the Bahamas, to the Pacific. You can do so many things on, in and under the oceans. It is full of life’s great, diverse adventures, think kayaking fjords to scuba diving with reef sharks.

We share it: The oceans are a valuable resource that is utilised and shared around the globe. The oceans shape cultures and traditions and living by the sea has such an impact on your life, whether that be what you eat, where you work, or how you spend your time.

The Biodiversity: The oceans are home to an incredible array of biodiversity, including millions of species that many are still yet to be discovered. Healthy oceans can support complex ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves and sea grass, which all provide habitats and feeding grounds.

Makes us feel good: Research has shown that bodies of water are strongly linked to your brain releasing feel-good hormones. Who wouldn’t be happy on a crewed charter catamaran in Tahiti?

What can we do onboard a crewed charter?

There are so many ways we can help protect and conserve our oceans. Both small and large changes can make a world of difference to the health of our oceans and the overall sustainability of our planet. Here are some top ways this World Ocean Day you can help:

Make sure you choose one of our more sustainable electric charter catamarans for this summer. From electric to hybrid, there are so many green options out there.
Offset your carbon emissions. You can use our carbon offset calculator to work them out.
Reduce your plastic waste onboard. You can specify on your preference sheet that you would like to minimize single-use plastic wherever possible. For example, through reusable bottles, filtered water, and refillable toiletries onboard a crewed charter.
Support and get involved in any local ocean conservation initiatives, from beach clean up’s in the BVI’s to supporting local communities in the Bahamas.
Eat locally and seasonally onboard. You can ask your onboard chef to source sustainably and ethically throughout your trip. This will reduce your carbon footprint onboard due to the reduced air miles.
It is important to understand why there are specific anchoring regulations in place and to always adhere to these. Your crew will ensure that you anchor in an environmentally-safe spot without damaging what is below, especially the coral reef.

While it is essential to recognize and acknowledge all the themes and topics behind World Ocean Day, we should work to protect and conserve our oceans every day. We ensure our clients take the protection of oceans seriously. At Boatbookings, we started this by helping facilitate greener chartering, leading the charge to provide our clients with a more sustainable charter fleet and practices. For a greener charter this year, contact the Boatbookings team today.

Posted on June 8, 2023 by admin

Caring for the captivating Caribbean coral reefs

The pleasure of exploring the underwater marine seascape is a wonderful experience during your Caribbean yacht charter. There are so many fabulous coral reefs to explore, you’re spoilt for choice. Among the best are the incredible reefs of Virgin Gorda and Anegada. To continue to enjoy these magical underwater worlds and help preserve them for others to visit, there are a few simple guidelines to help care for coral reefs.

Coral reefs are the largest living structures on the planet and amazingly the only living structure visible from space! The operative word here being ‘living’. Unbelievably, corals are classified in the same grouping as jellyfish and anemones. They are living creatures, needing nourishment to grow and reproduce.

Whichever catamaran you choose for your charter, our captains and crew are committed to preserving this marine equilibrium and caring for coral reefs, and none more so than the crew of ALTESSE who have introduced biodegradable soaps, banned single-use plastics, and even insist on coral-friendly sunscreen aboard this magnificent catamaran.

It’s not hard to enjoy the reefs while also preventing damage to this aquatic paradise. Most importantly, you can just follow the lead of our experienced crews who live in the region and understand how to help preserve coral. Key practices are:

Never anchor or go aground in a coral reef, except in specifically designated areas.
Never walk in coral
Don’t touch the coral when you’re snorkeling or diving
Do not harvest coral or attempt to take it out of the water
Use coral-safe sunscreens
Do not throw garbage overboard (it can contain items toxic to coral)
Use bio-degradable soaps and shampoos
Keep all water pollution (oil, garbage, trash, etc.) to an absolute minimum

Here are more practices recommended by the US Environental Protection Agency.

A blanched coral reef from global warming

CO2 emissions and reef protection.

Perhaps the greatest threat to coral reefs is the warming of the seas due to excess carbon in our atmosphere. While climate change is visible and most talked about on land, our oceans absorb 70% of the heat from CO2 emissions and this is having a significant impact on sea temperatures. Increased water temperature often results in “blanching” which is an innocuous way so saying a mass coral death event. While no one person can stop climate change, the UN notes that 2/3rds of CO2 emissions come from personal household decisions. So collectively reducing our carbon footprints can have a dramatic impact. One decision we can help you with is chartering low emissions sailing catamarans!

During your Boatbookings charter by paying attention to guidelines like these you can contribute to the preservation of the Caribbean’s stunning wildlife, ensuring its beauty and diversity, while you create unforgettable memories.

Posted on May 25, 2023 by admin