GREEN BOATING is dedicated to identifying and sharing knowledge which will help the marine industry protect the environment and stimulate sustainable innovations and designs.
Arcadia Yachts, situated on the shores of the Mediterranean sea, is a relative new company, building yachts between 75’ and 175’. Their style is innovative, yet simple and clean. The yard’s first launch, is the highly innovative and beautifully styled Arcadia 85. She was presented to the public early this years, at the Boot Dusseldorf yacht show, where we visited the yacht, and spoke with her builders.
North South Yachting (NSY) is proud to announce their appointment as Greenline Hybrid importers for Australia. Lauded as the most exciting new boat to emerge worldwide in 2010, the Greenline is the first truly hybrid power boat utilising a combination of solar, electric and diesel power.
Read More: www.yachtandboat.com.au/.../north-south-yachting-brings-the...
What is green boating? Is there such a thing as a green boat? To what degree does something have to be beneficial or less harmful to the environment to be considered green? Is a sailboat considered inherently green? Is a hybrid superyacht green? A wooden canoe made from salvaged timber, a kayak made from recycled plastic? Are environmentally preferable boating practices aboard a vessel enough to claim to be an eco-cruise? Is green boating an unattainable goal or a set of principles and actions we take with the best of intentions- 'to do no harm'?
For centuries sailors ascribed to sustainable practices to survive long period of time at sea. Albeit sailors of yore had no mitigation for sewage treatment; they were able to survive for months at a time aboard ships using natural products, and navigating by only wind power, brawn, and intellect. Sailors had to be in tune with ocean currents, atmospheric conditions, and celestial bodies to navigate their way. Modern technology has supplanted much of our understanding and intimate relationship with the sea. As societies ascribe to a new consciousness that recognizes human impact on the environment, boaters are searching for alternative solutions to improve their environmental performance.
Efficiency of systems aboard boats have always been considered to extract the furthest range and power from a vessel. As the clean tech/green tech revolution captures the attention of the marketplace, the marine industry and boat manufacturers have been ahead of the curve. The marine industry has not needed to wait for cues from the government to forge ahead with the clean-tech economy and green innovations. Sailors, boat builders, and manufacturers have for years been pressing the envelope of what is possible in sustainable designs, alternative locomotion, best management practices, and stewardship of our environment.
Most products designed and built for ships have taken sustainability in mind from the first step of the design process long before being 'green' came into fashion. Products for the marine industry had to be rugged, durable, withstand the elements of the sea, and perform reliably. While the marketplace spins out cheap products for our disposable culture, most sailors understand the need for quality products that can last a lifetime.
Many consider it greenwashing to tout environmental benefits of products that are already prerequisites required by regulatory laws. Non-profits were once the only ones who would stand against those making unsubstantiated and or misleading environmental marketing claims. Now governments are increasingly responding to deceptive environmental claims with serious penalties.
Products or companies that use environmental marketing claims in the U.S. are subject to guidelines set by the Federal Trade Commission. Assertions of environmentally preferable traits or attributes may be subject to substantiation, and can create potential liabilities for those making the claims or selling the products. Green claims should provide substantive benefit to the environment, but compared to what, to doing nothing, to alternatives, or substitutes? Where is the balance struck between touting environmentally preferable products or services and just adding to the glut and confusion of the marketplace. Firms must weigh the benefits of environmental marketing with potential liabilities from such claims.
Firms ascribing to such claims may also be held to higher standards of ethical scrutiny and evaluation. Those who make green product claims should be prepared to have all or their business practices and processes examined to determine if they are in line with their environmental policy or marketing claims. Corporate social responsibility is not independent of manufacturing, packaging, or marketing an environmentally preferable product or service. Those who ascribe to higher standards of ethicism on the environmental are often held accountable to ensure all of their business transactions take place in a socially acceptable and environmentally preferable manner.
GREEN BOATING is dedicated to identifying and sharing knowledge which will help the marine industry protect the environment and stimulate sustainable innovations and designs. As we witness the greenwashing in the marketplace and the abuse of the good intentions boaters who wish to curb their impacts, we must be wary of those who seek to make a quick dollar from our good nature.
Have you seen examples of Green Washing in the marine industry?
SOLAR SPLASH 2009 will be held this year in Fayetteville, Arkansas from June 27-31.
SOLAR SPLASH is the World Championship of intercollegiate Solar/Electric boating. Officially called the "international intercollegiate solar/electric boat regatta," the event takes place over five days. Technical Inspections on the first day, are followed by five on-the-water competitive events held over the remaining days. Points are earned in 7 categories starting with Technical reports that are submitted before teams arrive at the competition. On-site competitions categories include Visual Displays and Workmanship. On-the-water events begin with a Sprint and a Maneuverability qualifier. This is followed by an event called the Solar Slalom, which is a combination of speed and maneuverability. The final days are spent in the Sprint and Endurance events.
The first SOLAR SPLASH in 1994 was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and hosted by Marquette University. In 2000 the event moved to New Orleans to drum up interest from more southern teams, and then to Buffalo, New York, from 2001-2005. Solar Splash will be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas on beautiful Lake Fayetteville from 2006-2010.
SOLAR SPLASH is a practical educational experience, which helps to develop teamwork and inter-disciplinary skills. An entry can typically be pulled together in one school year at a cost of about $5,000.
Special thanks to Jeff Morehouse, Organizer of Solar Splash 2009 for providing information and photos. For more info on the SOLAR SPLASH visit their website at http://SOLARSPLASH.com
What is GREEN BOATING?When I began the GREEN BOATING venture in 2007 I believed that there were opportunities to begin to address the environmental impacts of the marine industry.Boaters are not just passengers on our waterways but stewards of our marine environment. As those afforded the greatest benefit of these bodies of water that kiss our cheek when our bow casts its spray, we must understand the need to protect the balance of these ecosystems.For many centuries man has thought of the oceans and lakes as vast resources and sinks, where we could submerge our careless actions.As we begin to analyze and understand the data that scientists are observing from our oceans and waterways it is increasingly clear that we must confront our personal behavior and begin to mitigate our impacts if we are to preserve the beauty of our life on the water.There are many actions a boater may take, and products or innovations which can be adopted, but the biggest step one can take is to change the way you think.We must consider the impact each of our intended actions will have and determine if there are ways in which we can mitigate these effects.It is the supreme challenge of our generation, and perhaps our race.
The mission of GREEN BOATING is to create an open source for information on environmentally preferable boating designs, products, and practices for the marine industry.GREEN BOATING is dedicated to identifying and sharing knowledge which will help protect the marine environment.
If you would like to find out more about GREEN BOATING please contact me at info@GREENBOATING.net
The United States announced today its intention of instituting emission control standards for container ships, bulk carriers, and cruise ships in an attempt to mitigate expected environmental impacts from increased maritime shipping in the coming years. The US proposed a 230 mile buffer zone around the nation's coastline in an effort to improve air quality. For more information go to EPA Oceangoing Vessels Emissions Control Area Proposal
Report Suspicious Activities to the Coast Guard! Call: 1-877-24-WATCH Please report illegal activity which may harm the marine environment. Prompt reporting can lead to successful cleanups, fines, and rewards. Oil and gas spills, and toxic cleansers are illegal. Contact the Coast Guard and protect our natural resources.
Superyacht of the Week: The innovative Arcadia 85 
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