10 Things You Can Do This New Year To Help Protect Our Oceans

The dawn of the New Year is the perfect time to think about what changes we can make to improve the boating industry and our oceans in 2024. At Boatbookings, we wholeheartedly support sustainable initiatives and greener chartering to improve the future and protect the oceans and marine environments.

Here are some of the ways you can help reduce your impact and contribute to a healthier future for our seas in 2024 and beyond:

1. Reduce Single-Use Plastics

It’s an age-old problem, but it’s still a problem. A truck full of plastic is dumped into our oceans every minute. While steps have been taken to combat the issue, it is still a huge issue, and there are various ways to reduce and eliminate using single-use plastics. Many countries have also stepped up to ban single-use plastics.

2. Participate in Cleanups

Worldwide, there are plenty of initiatives that you can join or even organize, coastal cleanups in your community to address ocean pollution and trash directly. Document the types of waste you collect to help contribute to valuable research data and policy initiatives.

3. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Opt for energy-efficient appliances and support renewable energy sources and advice for policies that address climate change. At Boatbookings, we use our carbon emissions calculator to measure emissions and offset.

4. Educate Yourself

Stay informed about ocean-related issues, such as coral bleaching, acidification, and biodiversity loss. Sharing your knowledge with friends, family, and social media platforms can help raise awareness.

5. Minimize Chemical Usage

Our products ultimately end up in the ocean, so we must consider what we are using and choose eco-friendly cleaning products that prevent harmful chemicals from entering marine environments.

6. Support Sustainable Seafood

Overfishing is a serious threat to our oceans. To help combat this, be informed about your seafood choices using tools like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

7. Be An Ocean Ambassador

This New Year, why not contribute to marine conservation research? There are various citizen marine science projects to get involved in; one organization facilitating this is the International SeaKeepers.

8. Support Ocean-Friendly Businesses

Plenty of businesses and brands prioritize sustainable and ocean-friendly practices. Whether directly helping solve problems through innovative solutions or donating profits to marine conservation, supporting these brands will help protect our oceans.

9. Use Reef-Safe Products

A lot of suncreams and toiletry products we use are causing harm to our marine environments. When you are on your next crewed charter catamaran, use reef-friendly sunscreens. A lot of ingredients in sunscreens are toxic to aquatic life and coral reefs. Plenty of brands now produce suncream without these ingredients, so you can dive into the Caribbean on vacation without causing damage.

10. Take Greener Vacations

Responsible boating is fundamental to the health of our oceans; at Boatbookings, we offer greener crewed charter catamarans to help minimize your impact when going on a luxury yacht charter.

No matter how small, every positive action and change you make in the New Year will contribute to the larger effort of saving our oceans. We can move toward a more sustainable boating industry by collectively adopting these changes. Contact one of the team at Boatbookings to discuss your 2024 greener crewed charter catamaran vacation.

Posted on January 3, 2024 by admin

METSTRADE 2023 Updates: The Waves of Decarbonization

Decarbonization is an issue of high priority within the boating sector. At Boatbookings, we are passionate about this dynamic topic, regularly staying ahead of the developments and innovations working to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.

At this year’s METSTRADE show in Amsterdam, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) presented their latest report, ‘Pathways to Propulsion Decarbonization for the Recreational Marine Industry.’

The Report

This comprehensive report focuses on boats under 24 meters. It outlines a strategic portfolio of technologies to propel the recreational marine industry toward a greener future.

The research investigated propulsion technologies across nine common recreational watercraft, evaluating the impact on lifetime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, financial costs, usability, performance, range, and infrastructure.

The technologies examined included battery electric, hybrid electric, hydrogen, and internal combustion engines (ICE) with sustainable marine fuels and traditional diesel engines.

Main Findings

It emphasized the need for diverse solutions in the quest to reduce carbon emissions. Noting that 80% of a car’s environmental impact is in its usage, a far higher proportion of a boat’s environmental impact comes from its manufacture – as high as 50%. Given the unique on-water environments and varied interests of boats, the study suggests a one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible. Instead, the sector must consider a range of technologies.

Among findings, sustainable liquid marine fuels, such as renewable drop-in fuels, emerge as a highly promising energy source for decarbonizing boats by 2035, potentially reducing emissions by 90%.

Hydrogen also stands out as a potential source for emissions reduction, provided the production process is optimized.

Electric propulsion, while part of the strategy, is stated not to be universally suitable for all types of craft and use cases.

Hybrid boats that use electric motors and ICEs powered by liquid fuels offer the potential to reduce emissions from boats in certain scenarios – boats used for longer periods and over greater distances. Hybrid technology provides the most potential for emissions reduction for charter.

Report Recommendations

The report recommendations included the following:

1. Adoption of a technology-neutral decarbonization approach for marine environments.

2. Acceleration of the development and distribution of sustainable marine fuels, supported by educational campaigns.

3. Collaboration between consumer safety, government entities, and recreational marine industry to establish marine electric technology and safety protocols.

4. Expansion of R&D tax credits and investments to improve electric battery density and hydrogen research applicable to maritime.

5. Continued research to evaluate existing and emerging technologies and optimal application.

No Easy Answer

While an interesting report, there are evidently various connected factors that will prove influential in the coming years. These include innovative products, new technologies, changes in consumer behavior, improvements in recyclability, the reuse of materials, emerging battery technologies, and the availability of these sustainable fuels.

To read the report in full, visit propellingourfuture.com. If you’re interested in chartering a greener crewed charter catamaran in the Caribbean this winter, contact one of the Boatbookings team today.

Posted on December 7, 2023 by admin

Responsible Sailing: How to Embrace Greener Boating Using the 4 ‘R’s’

Not only are we passionate about bringing you an unforgettable crewed charter catamaran and barefoot charter catamaran experiences, but we also want to help you partake in responsible sailing and protect our oceans.

Greener Boating

At its core, to have a more sustainable boating industry is about minimizing the negative impacts on the environment and maximizing the benefits for everyone involved. One aspect of this mission of greener chartering is to promote and incorporate the ‘R’s throughout our entire operation and growing fleet.

These ‘R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle – provide a roadmap for achieving these goals. We take a look into this framework that are the cornerstones to sustainability with regards to Boatbookings:

Reduce

The first ‘R’ is all about how you can reduce your environmental impact. At Boatbookings, we have made conscious choices to offer a range of greener crewed catamaran charters for you to choose from. We prioritize the selection of yachts we offer to ensure they are showcasing more sustainable technology, ensuring lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. We aim to provide options from catamaran builders such as Silent Yachts, Sunreef Eco, and Fountaine Pajot.

But our commitment to reducing doesn’t stop there. Our carbon emissions calculator helps us assess and continually improve our environmental practices.

We advocate for our operators to reduce the amount of waste and pollution while promoting eco-friendly brands. We also encourage our clients and yachts to reduce speed, especially when sailing near vulnerable marine life habitats. Going slow reduces impact and enables clients to soak up the ocean’s magic.

Reuse

We ensure that our crewed charter partners regularly maintain and service their fleets to ensure longevity and reduce the need for unnecessary repairs. We also work with partners who are aligned with sustainable practices that reduce resource consumption and waste generation.

Repurpose

At Boatbookings, we pride ourselves on promoting repurposing by collaborating with companies that repurpose marine waste into innovative products, contributing to a more circular economy.

We want to raise more awareness about the critical issue of marine pollution that our oceans face. Education is essential in changing consumer behavior and inspiring a new sense of responsibility.

Recycle

The final ‘R’ is recycling, which you are probably already familiar with. We advocate responsible recycling throughout our operators and clients. We are always looking for better recycling initiatives within marinas worldwide to facilitate easier recycling for our clients.

Responsible chartering is an integral part of experiencing the beauty of our oceans. By promoting these ‘R’s, we are not only committed to reducing the environmental impact of our selected fleet but also dedicated to creating eco-conscious charter experiences for our clients.

Posted on November 16, 2023 by admin

Charging the Electric Boating Revolution

Electric boating has gained momentum as the world envisions a cleaner and greener future. At Boatbookings, we have advocated for this electric revolution within our greener crewed charter catamaran offerings.

However, the success of electric boating relies heavily on the availability of electric charging infrastructure in marinas. As electric boats become more popular, is the current global marina infrastructure prepared for the influx of these greener boats?

Here, we explore the growing need for electric charging infrastructure in marinas and the changes to meet this demand.

The Infrastructure

Electric boats, like electric cars, rely on charging infrastructure to keep them powered up.

Rising Demand for Charging Stations.

The increasing number of electric boats on the water means demand for charging stations has surged. There is now a need for more convenient places to top up electric boat’s power reserves.

Encouraging Investment.

The increased demand has spurred both marinas and port authorities to invest in developing more electric charging infrastructure. These investments aim to make electric boating more accessible to all.

Technological Innovation.

To meet the growing need, there are plenty of companies investing in the development of more efficient charging technologies. This includes creating faster charging options, smart charging systems that optimise energy use and wireless charging solutions. These innovations are essential as the electric boat market continues to expand. One company is Aqua superPower, integrating their charging systems in the US, UK and Italy, enabling users to charge all electric boat brands. They have partnered with MDL marina group, the first UK marina group to offer charging.

The Challenges

Like with all development and change, there are some hurdles that the boating sector is facing when it comes to supplying this infrastructure for the transition to electric boating. The main concern is the cost of developing and maintaining this new infrastructure, resulting in some resistance to change.

The Marinas of the Future

Marinas consistently have to adapt to meet the changing needs of boaters. We are seeing new smart marina management systems put in place to optimize energy usage. Many marinas are exploring and investing in research and development for renewable energy sources to enhance sustainability credentials further. Looking ahead, there will need to be increased collaboration to establish these networks and to promote the growth of electric boating.

As more infrastructure is developed, it gives more confidence for owners to make the switch from traditional to electric. A vital transition for reducing emissions and promoting more greener practices. Contact Boatbookings today to find out about our greener and electric crewed charter catamarans.

Posted on November 15, 2023 by admin

Charter Guest 101: How to be a More Eco-Conscious Guest

Being a charter guest onboard a luxury charter catamaran is an incredible experience, being able to cruise the world’s oceans while being looked after by a professional crew with all the amenities. But, today, charter guests must consider the impact that boating is having on the environment.

This environmental impact of yachts can no longer be ignored, and at Boatbookings, we advocate for a more sustainable boating industry, choosing to work with yachts that implement sustainable initiatives into the build process and operations.

Aside from choosing from one of our greener crewed charter catamarans, there are plenty of other ways to ensure you are a better, more eco-conscious and responsible charter guest.

Here are some tips on how to enjoy your yacht charter while minimizing your impact:

Better Preferences

Crews ensure they always go above and beyond when running a yacht charter, and this extends to ensuring guests have what they ask for onboard a crewed charter catamaran. When filling out a preference sheet, there are a few things to consider to have a greener charter. Minimize plastic waste by drinking from refillable bottles, and utilizing the onboard water filtration system instead of requesting branded water bottles. Toiletries are another factor to consider; you can request that there be reef-friendly and environmentally safe toiletries onboard.

When it comes to food, the chefs are heavily involved in preferences. If guests request something, they will be sure to fly it in, which contributes significantly to the yacht’s carbon footprint. Be sure to request locally sourced and seasonal menus when onboard. Not only does this reduce the carbon footprint, but it also allows you to savor the freshest produce and local specialities.

Respect the Underwater World

Getting underwater is a big part of a yacht charter, especially in tropical locations where the underwater world is pristine, such as Tahiti, the BVIs, and the Bahamas! To preserve these ecosystems, minimize your disruption when partaking in any watersport. Avoid feeding or touching marine life, and keep a safe distance when swimming.

Reduce Consumption

While crewed catamarans have an array of luxury amenities and facilities, this doesn’t mean that there needs to be excessive use of them. Guests can easily conserve energy and resources by switching things off when not in use. This reduction in consumption can also help reduce the yacht’s carbon footprint. You should also always embrace vacation mode and cruise at a leisurely pace; not only does this allow you to take in the destination better, but a slower cruising speed further reduces emissions.

Support Local

Practicing responsible sailing doesn’t just stop on the ocean. When you step ashore, it is important to support the local economy. If you go on excursions ashore, consult the crew to ensure you participate in ones that benefit the community. There are always plenty of organizations and initiatives you can get involved with ashore that are helping minimize environmental impact, such as beach clean-ups.

Listen to Your Crew

The yacht crew onboard our charter catamaran ensure that the boats are run extremely safely to adhere to all rules and regulations, including the environmental aspect. The crew will ensure you recognize the environmental impact that the yacht and operations will have and the correct waste disposal practices you can do while onboard.

Spread Awareness

Never hesitate to ask the crew about any small changes you can make to minimize your impact onboard. You can inspire positive change throughout the charter community by spreading awareness about eco-friendly swaps.

Every small change contributes to a greener future for boating. It is a collaborative effort, and as guests, you can play a vital role in preserving and protecting our oceans. Contact the Boatbookings team today to find out which greener crewed charter catamaran you can book for your next vacation!

Posted on November 1, 2023 by admin