Sailors for the Sea's Clean Regattas Program Enters its 7th Season - Sailors for the Sea

Sailors for the Sea’s Clean Regattas Program Enters its 7th Season

Press Release

More than 60 regattas commit to certification and four programs seek to run their entire season against Clean Regattas best practices

 

Newport, Rhode Island- March 13, 2012 – Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation nonprofit focused on the sailing and boating community, announces the start of its 7th Clean Regattas season. As of March 2012, 60 regattas will seek Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas certification this year, and four programs have committed their entire 2012 sailing season to Clean Regattas certification.  

Clean Regattas certification provides independent, third-party verification that a yacht club, sailing program, or regatta is environmentally responsible, and is doing its utmost to protect the waters upon which people sail.

“By making the Clean Regattas Pledge, regattas, yacht clubs, and sailing programs commit to protecting the ocean and local waters, and working to achieve higher environmental standards,” said Annie Brett, program lead, Sailors for the Sea. “Participants vow to fulfill, and encourage others to fulfill, the goals and requirements of the program. The program’s growth mirrors the interest among sailors to protect waters for the use and enjoyment of this and future generations.”

Program’s Growth and Certification Criteria
In the seven years since its inception, the Clean Regattas program has grown from five to over 150 events in 2011. Clean Regattas program participants include over 40 repeat events and some of the world’s most well-known regattas – 32nd St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, America’s Cup World Series, Newport Bermuda Race, The Atlantic Cup, and Chicago Match Race – pledging their support to protect ocean health and improving their environmental practices.

To participate in the Clean Regattas program, regatta organizers commit to carrying out at least one Best Practice. With three levels of certification, participants select their level of engagement, and work to fulfill the related certification requirements (five for Bronze, 10 for Silver, 15 for Gold), relating to:

  • trash and recycling collection and disposal
  • discharge
  • oil spill prevention
  • green cleaning products and bottom paint usage
  • bottom cleaning and boat maintenance
  • global warming and carbon offsets
  • biofuel conversion
  • use of recycled materials in regatta awards

By the end of the year, Sailors for the Sea expects to have certified 150 regattas as Clean Regattas. As of March 2012, the list of pledges to 2012 Clean Regatta program includes:

About Sailors for the Sea
Founded in 2004, Sailors for the Sea is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers the boating community to protect and restore our oceans and local waters. For more information or to participate in any of the Sailors for the Sea programs, or to become a member and support the organization, visit www.sailorsforthesea.org.