Good Cruising Practices
The OCC is working in partnership with Clean Sailors (https://www.cleansailors.com/) to bring information and advice to OCC Members and other cruisers on the practical steps that we can all take to protect the oceans we sail.
Information will be published in the OCC monthly e-bulletin, quarterly Newsletter and on this website.
There is a wealth of information and advice on the internet, and further information and advice on good practice is available in the free download Green Boating Guide published by Sailors for the Sea.
In addition, OCC Members can subscribe to the Blue Flag for Boat Owner’s Environmental Code of Conduct.
By signing the pledge, you commit to:
- not throwing litter into the sea or along the coast
- not releasing toilet water into fresh waters, coastal waters and sensitive areas
- not releasing poisonous or toxic waste (oil, paint, cleaning agents, etc) into fresh waters and the sea. Waste will be disposed of in appropriate recycling facilities.
- promoting the use of recycling facilities (glass, plastic, paper, batteries, etc)
- using the most environmentally friendly products that are available and work efficiently (cleaning agents, clothing, etc)
- reporting pollution or other violation of environmental regulations to the authorities
- not engaging in forbidden fishing practices and respecting periods when fishing is prohibited
- protecting animals and plants in the sea, including not disturbing birds or marine mammals
- respecting vulnerable nature and protected areas
- avoiding damaging the sea floor (via poor anchoring technique, etc)
- avoiding disturbing fishery or fishing gear
- not using objects made from protected species or from archaeological underwater findings
Shown below are some helpful reports from the e-bulletin and Newsletter, and below them are Related Articles from OCC News.
Reports from e-Bulletin and Newsletters
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Topping up our TanksClean Sailors - 03/04/2024Whilst the gigantic spill events are devastating for our waters and marine life, the majority of fuel and oil pollution are caused by sailors and seafarers. Keywords: diesel, oil spills, leak |
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Concerned about the CO2 impact of flying?Manon Zwart and the OCC Environment Team - 03/04/2024As cruisers we are aware of our environment and changes occurring in the marine environment. The impact of cruising is small when we are wind-powered, but it's often not the only way we travel. Keywords: offset, carbon, flying, environment, seagrass, blue carbon |
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Dealing with BommiesBehan Gifford - 03/04/2024There are a lot of places where you really don’t have options to find another spot or go to a marina: it’s all coral, and there’s no marina. Keywords: Anchoring, coral, bommies |
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Engine maintenanceOCC Environment team - 03/04/2024A checklist for ensuring the engine is running smoothly and not polluting more than it should Keywords: service, engine, oil, maintenance, efficiency |
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Read Your Engine ExhaustOCC Environment team - 01/08/2022The colour of your diesel engine’s exhaust can indicate engine efficiency problems. Keywords: combustion, fuel, injector, valve, timing problem, burnt valves, bad gaskets, smoke |
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Cigarette ButtsOCC Environment team - 01/04/2022No matter the beach or its location, there’s little escape from the blight that plagues many of them: cigarette butts. Keywords: tobacco, pollution, cigarettes, tar, Más País–Equo coalition |
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The role of Aquaculture in restoring global fish stocksAlex Blackwell, MSc, and Daria Blackwell - 01/01/2022Many wild fish stock species are being rapidly depleted, animal husbandry is increasingly under pressure for its environmental impact. Keywords: fish stock, responsibly, aquaculture, health, nutrition |
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Anti-fouling – the challenges and the check listsPhil Heaton and Kit Harling - 01/01/2022We all want a clean and smooth bottom on our boats and effective antifouling has been the way we try to achieve this, but the challenge is to do so without negative environmental impact. Keywords: propagules, ablative, low-adhesion coatings, epoxy resin, copper |
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Minimising the creation of waste and waste disposalBehan Gifford - 01/09/2021Tips to manage rubbish responsibly while cruising. Keywords: waste disposal, rubbish, compost, biodegradable, cans, toxic emissions |
Related Articles
Recycling sails
Just 0.1% of our sails are currently repurposed into tote bags etc. Some enterprising sailors and chemists are working hard to develop new ways to recycle sail cloth.
by Simon Currin - 08/10/2024
Vanuatu drastically cuts marine plastic pollution
A heart warming story describing how a tiny Pacific nation tackled plastic pollution.
by Simon Curin - 19/06/2024
Great Pacific Cleanup
‘Ocean Cleanup’ is working hard to harvest and recycle plastic from the Pacific Garbage Patch with the help of Helmsley Charitable Trust.
by Simon Currin - 12/06/2024
OCC Environment Award 2023
Howard Dryden and Diane Duncan won the OCC Environment Award 2023
by Howard Dryden - 21/02/2024
End of Life Boats
The question of what to do with boats at the end of their useful lives has been an issue for a long time. The Green Blue is looking to tackle the problem and is asking for assistance from the public.
by Phil Heaton - 02/12/2023
Hurricanes now more likely to intensify rapidly
With warmer oceans serving as fuel, Atlantic hurricanes are now more than twice as likely as before to rapidly intensify from minor hurricanes to powerful and catastrophic storms.
by Daria Blackwell - 20/10/2023
How much heat can the human body take?
As temperatures reach unprecedented levels, and deadly heatwaves become more common, scientists grapple with research into the limits of human tolerance to heat.
by Daria Blackwell - 10/10/2023
Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) Announces Change to Moananuiakea Sail Plan
PVS CEO Nainoa Thompson announced that Hokule'a will return home to Lahaina, Hawaii from California in late December, before continuing on their circumnavigation of the Pacific.
by Daria Blackwell - 03/10/2023
Norwegian scientists prove why beach cleans matter
The removal of bigger pieces of plastic from coastlines prevents the breakdown to microplastic fragments that may stay in the water for years, giving scientists hope for polluted oceans.
by Daria Blackwell - 17/09/2023
Beach clean up in Tonga
The Island Cruising Rally supported a Vava'u beach cleanup. We had a huge group of people turn up, about 40+ volunteers which was fantastic.
by RRC Viki Moore - 01/07/2023
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Happy World Ocean Day!
With more than 3500 members in 85 countries, the OCC's membership is acutely aware of the importance of the ocean, its current state, and its place in preserving life on Earth.
by Daria Blackwell - 08/06/2023
The OCC Guide to Climate Change for Cruisers
The Ocean Cruising Club has prepared a review of climate change for distance cruisers and how it affects decision-making in this era of adaptation.
by Daria Blackwell - 10/05/2023
Today is Earth Day - Do at least one thing to help!
Protecting our planet starts with us.
by Daria Blackwell - 22/04/2023
Join Novara One Planet on their Climate Adaptation Mission
Novara One Planet encourages OCC members to join their campaign supporting coastal communities become climate safe.
by Nigel Jollands - 22/04/2023
EU-wide boating industry sets ambitious 2030 target on end-of-life boats
The Ocean Cruising Club applauds the European Boating Industry (EBI) for the launch of a roadmap for solving the roadblocks to end-of-life boat recycling in the EU.
by European Boating Industry - 31/03/2023
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Scientist uses drones and algorithms to save whales and the oceans
Douglas McCauley head of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at UCSB is using data to reveal to companies, policymakers, and the public what’s at stake.
by Daria Blackwell - 02/11/2022
Cigarette butts
How the most littered objects are choking our coasts
by OCC Environment team - 31/08/2022
Boat dismantling and disposal at the end of life
Boats made of plastic (GRP/FRP) do not break down over time. With the increase in recreational boating, the problem of what to do with them when they get too old to maintain is an issue worldwide.
by Daria Blackwell - 01/08/2022
Call for entries for the 'ocean tribute' Awards
Since 2018, the €20,000 prize has been awarded annually.
by Daria Blackwell - 13/06/2022
Green Yacht Cleaning Tips
Living on a boat, we are very mindful that whatever we flush down our drains also flows straight into the surrounding water systems and whatever is living in there.
by Nicki Reynolds, Yacht Zen Again - 13/06/2022
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Living the Future: Electric Propulsion on a Classic Yacht
Maddie and Herb Benavent have been sailing with an electric engine since 2015. As many of us are contemplating moving away from fossil fuels, they share their experience for our benefit.
by Maddie & Herb Benavent - 02/06/2022
A Green Guide to Boating
The International Seakeepers Society has compiled an excellent and very comprehensive resource for boaters who want to minimise their footprint on the oceans.
by Daria Blackwell - 25/04/2022
Sea Mercy is recipient of inaugural OCC Environment Award
"It is the hundreds of volunteers and vessel captains who work with Sea Mercy who make this award possible."
by Richard Hackett - 02/02/2022
Make a small gesture for the earth - Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Some time ago, the General Committee voted to make it possible for members to opt out of paper mailings.
by Daria Blackwell - 21/11/2021
Topping up our tanks
How to top up with fuel whilst looking after the environment
by Clean Sailors - 01/11/2021
Engine maintenance
How to look after the engine whilst looking after the environment
by Clean Sailors - 01/11/2021
Dealing with Bommies
Techniques for taking care when anchoring in coral
by Behan Gifford - 01/10/2021
Anchoring in ecologically sensitive areas
Some ways we can help preserve pristine and biodiverse but vulnerable seabeds when anchoring our vessels.
by Alex Blackwell - 28/09/2021
OCC Members Take Coastal Cleanup Action
Cruisers join together to help clean up around the marina and harbour of Licata, Italy.
by Phil Heaton - 18/09/2021
Reef safe sunscreens
We protect our bodies from the sun with sunscreen. We also need to protect reefs by making our choice of sunscreen carefully!
by Behan Gifford - 04/09/2021
Minimising the creation of waste
And disposing of waste whilst taking care of the environment
by Behan Gifford - 01/09/2021
International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD) Saturday, 18th September
Around the world, people are being mobilised for International Coastal Cleanup Day - one of the world's largest annual volunteer preservation and protection events for our oceans and beaches.
by Phil Heaton - 28/08/2021
Plastic Free July
Plastic Free July is a global campaign, the idea being that everyone removes plastic from their day-to-day, entirely. This may be impractical for many, but the idea should spotlight our overreliance.
by Holly Manvell - 30/06/2021
Clean Tips for Cruising
Sailors, the sea is our passion, pastime and, in many cases, our profession. We love the sea. Let's get cleaner and reduce our impact on our waters!
by Clean Sailors - 13/06/2021
The OCC Celebrates World Oceans Day
The OCC is working towards helping our members maintain a sustainable lifestyle without contributing damage to the environment and where possible helping to repair damage done.
by Daria Blackwell - 08/06/2021
Clean Sailors starts sail recycling programme in GB
OCC Member Holly Manvell has announced that sailors in the UK can now recycle their sails and have them made into useful items that will have a long afterlife.
by Daria Blackwell - 06/05/2021