As a boat rental platform, the oceans are our main playground and that is why SamBoat has chosen to actively participate in the preservation of coral ecosystems. Thanks to our partnership with Coral Guardian, a boat rented through our platform is a restored coral piece!
At SamBoat, we believe that it is important to reduce our ecological footprint. Caring about the future generations in terms of quality of life is important to us and engaging in sustainability means that we try our best. It might seem difficult to make big changes happen, but it all starts at a smaller scale. In this article, we tell you about the small, but essential things you should do to sail sustainably.
1) Pick up trash and don’t throw waste
Whatever you do, never throw anything into the ocean. It is already polluted enough and more plastic definitely won’t help. It is estimated that there are over 5 trillion pieces of plastic and microplastic in the ocean. This pollution directly damages the ocean floors, kills maritime life and weakens the ecosystem. We strongly encourage you to separate your waste too, and to empty your holding tanks in the appropriate locations.
If you feel like helping by cleaning up the ocean you could start by doing so everyday. For instance, set yourself an objective of picking up a pound of trash or more everyday. This is a simple thing you can do while walking on the beach or going snorkelling on your yacht charter.
2) Choose a sailboat over a motorised boat
If you are hesitating on the type of boat to rent, know that it is more sustainable to rent a sailboat or catamaran. It’s by far the best choice to minimise your carbon footprint. As you might already know, a sailboat uses the power of the wind to advance and it is a completely natural way to enjoy your holiday! If you do care about the preservation of our oceans and the wonderful life living beneath your hull, its defently the way to go!
If you still want to hire a motorboat, we suggest checking electric & eco friendly boats you can rent through our platform.
3) Use eco friendly products and reusable objects
You can also minimise your impact on the environment by using eco friendly products. This includes the products you use in the bathroom like shampoo, soap, toothpaste and other products. This is because you’ll most certainly jump into the ocean on your yacht charter. All the products that you used will then be left in the sea. One of the main things you can do to sail sustainably is to use eco friendly sunscreen, and to use reusable objects such as water bottles. Try to use as little plastic as you can and never leave anything behind!
4) Buy local
Another good way to act sustainably, is buying from local shops and markets while you travel. This is one of the best ways to support the local economy. From job creation to funding infrastructure, this helps the community grow as whole. It’s also more environmentally friendly. With less shipping to satisfy your needs from retail chains, it’s a great way to improve your ecological footprint. Socialising with local individuals will also make your journey more authentic.
5) Respect the environment
Lastly, it’s good to be aware of the damage you can cause while sailing. For example dropping anchor in the wrong place can really harm the environment. Always remember that your anchor probably weighs a ton or more (depending on the size of your sailboat) and will destroy any coral ecosystem and ocean life that lies beneath your boat. Other small things you can do to sail sustainably involve not leaving anything on the deck and reporting pollution when you are unable to pick it up yourself.
If you found this article insightful, check out this article about becoming a responsible sailor!
