Eco-friendly navigation: 7 simple actions to adopt on board

Introduction

We love the sea, we enjoy it, we explore it... It is our responsibility to protect it. Between 8 and 12 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year. If 80% of marine pollution comes from land activities, every boater can help reduce the impact of boating. Here are 7 simple, easy actions that really make a difference.

1. Manage waste on board wisely

The problem

Waste that ends up in the sea takes hundreds of years to decompose. Worse still, they can suffocate marine species that confuse them for food.

The solution in 3 steps

Before leaving

• Remove all unnecessary packaging on land

• Favor reusable containers

• Buy in bulk when possible

• Invest in cloth bags instead of plastic ones

On board

• Set up a simple sorting system: one bin for plastic, one for household waste

• Use a pocket ashtray for smokers (a cigarette butt pollutes 500 liters of water!)

• Secure your trash cans to prevent them from blowing away in the wind

Back at the port

• Dispose of your sorted waste in the appropriate containers

• Follow local sorting instructions

The figure that makes you think

A plastic bag takes 450 years to decompose in the sea. Sea turtles confuse them with jellyfish and die from suffocation while trying to ingest them.

2. Conserve fresh water

The problem

Drinking water is a valuable and depleting resource. On board, there's a tendency to consume without counting while our reserves are limited.

Actions that save dozens of liters

Smart equipment

• Install flow reducers on faucets

• Set up stop-water devices (automatically shuts off after a few seconds)

• Equip yourself with a foot pump for the sink

• Invest in a rainwater collection system

New habits

• NEVER rinse your deck with fresh water! Seawater is more than sufficient

• Use a garden sprayer to rinse off after swimming

• Do your dishes with an eco-friendly soap

• Collect rainwater to rinse equipment or wash clothes

Technical tip

Osmosis systems allow for purifying and recycling rainwater and even seawater. This is a significant initial investment but guarantees total autonomy.

3. Choose eco-friendly cleaning products

The problem

Traditional household products contain chemical substances that flow directly into the sea and disrupt the marine ecosystem.

Green alternatives

For cleaning

• Biodegradable dish soap

• Natural soap without phosphates

• Eco-friendly multi-purpose cleaners

• White vinegar (powerful natural descaler)

For sun protection

• Favor lotions over oils

• Choose water-soluble products

• Opt for "ocean-friendly" creams without nanoparticles

Did you know?

Sun oils create a film on the water's surface that limits the photosynthesis essential for marine life. A simple swim with sunscreen can impact several cubic meters of water.

4. Optimize fuel consumption

The problem

The engine is the main source of pollution from a boat. Every liter of fuel burned releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases.

Actions to consume less

Intelligent piloting

• Reduce your speed by a few knots (a boat consumes exponentially more as its speed increases)

• Respect the optimal design speed of your boat

• Do not run the engine unnecessarily

• Take advantage of the current when possible

Regular maintenance

• A well-maintained engine consumes up to 20% less

• Check the injectors, clean the filters

• Do an annual oil change with eco-friendly lubricants

• Check the cleanliness of the hull (a dirty hull increases consumption by 30%!)

Alternative

• Favor sailing when you're on a sailboat!

• At the dock, use the power provided by the port instead of a generator

The calculation that speaks

By reducing your cruising speed by just 2 knots, you save on average 30% of fuel on a motorboat.

5. Anchor without damaging the seabed

The problem

An improperly managed anchoring can destroy seagrass meadows, essential for oxygenating the Mediterranean and harboring incredible biodiversity.

Good practices

Choice of area

• Favor sandy bottoms (light areas on the map)

• Absolutely avoid seagrass meadows (dark areas)

• Use eco-friendly mooring buoys when available

• Ensure adequate chain length (5 to 7 times the depth)

Anchoring technique

• Anchor gently to avoid plowing the bottom

• If possible, use a snubber line

• Always raise the anchor directly above the boat

Alternative

More and more protected areas are installing eco-friendly mooring buoys. Their use is mandatory and preserves the seabed. The small extra cost is well worth it!

6. Maintain your hull responsibly

The problem

Bottom cleaning and traditional antifouling contain biocidal substances toxic to the marine environment.

Clean solutions

Cleaning

• Favor mechanical cleaning: sandblasting, manual stripping

• Perform bottom cleaning only in designated areas of the port

• Collect all residues to prevent them from falling into the water

Antifouling

• Opt for eco-friendly antifoulings with natural components

• Choose those with the least possible copper and pesticides

• Apply precisely following the prescribed doses

Preventive tip

Sail regularly! This limits the attachment of marine organisms to the hull and reduces the frequency of required cleanings.

7. Respect marine wildlife and flora

The problem

Our presence and activities can disturb marine species, sometimes protected and endangered.

The golden rules

While sailing

• Limit noisy motorized activities

• Sail at a reasonable distance from protected species (dolphins, whales)

• Respect marine protected areas (MPA)

• Slow down in swimming and diving areas

At anchor

• Do not take anything from the water (shells, corals, starfish)

• Do not feed the fish

• Throw NOTHING overboard

• Avoid breeding areas of marine species

While fishing

• Respect minimum catch sizes

• Do not fish in professional areas (minimum 150m from fishing equipment)

• Use only authorized equipment and techniques

• Release protected species immediately

Bonus: Port facilities

Use the available infrastructures

At restrooms

• Use the port's toilets instead of your marine toilets

• Avoid discharging wastewater into the sea

At pumping stations

• Empty your greywater tanks at dedicated stations

• Never empty your tanks at sea near the coast

At sorting stations

• Take advantage of the selective sorting systems in place

• Dispose of batteries and used oils at collection points

Conclusion

Sailing in an eco-responsible manner requires neither sacrifice nor colossal investment. It is primarily about developing habits, adopting reflexes. Every action counts, and if all boaters get involved, the impact will be considerable. We are the first witnesses to the beauty of the oceans – let us also be their first protectors.

🌊 On Sailtoo, join a community of sailors committed to more sustainable navigation!