Yachting offers access to beaches, harbours and reefs as well as fishing. As such, it’s subject to public and governmental scrutiny, and has increasingly become viewed as an unsustainable, damaging activity due to growing concerns about environmental preservation.
It is the ultimate goal of many yacht designers and builders to move towards a system that emits zero emissions. However, it may take several years before these boats are fully functional and safe.
There are a number of ways to reduce the cost of yachting and increase safety, all while maintaining enjoyment and safety at sea.
Yachting offers access to beaches, harbours and reefs as well as fishing. As such, it’s subject to public and governmental scrutiny, and has increasingly become viewed as an unsustainable, damaging activity due to growing concerns about environmental preservation.
A growing number of designers and builders of yachts have a vision to build zero-emission boats, even though it could take many years for them to be safe and fully operational, let alone affordable to most owners.
There are a number of ways to reduce the cost of yachting and increase safety, all while maintaining enjoyment and safety at sea.
Also, how often will the boat be used and what’s the most energy-demanding equipment such as desalinisation, air-conditioning, fridges and galley appliances, lights and other automated equipment?
Owners are often attached to their yacht or brands that they know and trust. Or they look for good deals on the second-hand markets, where there are few futuristic designs. But a yacht’s hull is only one part of the equation. Many other components can also be optimised.
What’s the fuel consumption for a particular voyage or regular passages? What equipment can be modernised and upgraded, or used less systemically? What equipment could be powered by alternate sources of energy instead?
Let’s look at alternative sources of energy. The majority of sailboat owners still use fossil fuels, even though they have an advantage in this field. It is likely that this sector has seen the greatest technological advancements, which have led to increased efficiency.
Silent-Yachts’ Eco-range, for instance, uses solar panels that have a return rate of 30 percent. Wind turbines are more silent and efficient ¹ and hydro-generators – while not sufficient for heavy equipment – can replenish IT-induced power consumption.
New batteries, such as fuel cells or seawater-powered batteries, can be used to supplement the energy available.
Fuel consumption will continue to be the major source of pollution on a yacht. Several yacht companies encourage the use of hybrid power, but it requires a significant investment and is not always compatible with yacht design.
Biofuels (HVO) are one of the alternatives. Azimut has launched a new offer on the Magellano 60 The 44m has adopted the new technology on certain Caterpillar engines. Lammouche superyacht. This can be a solution, although not for long hauls, while kites can be used to support or replace engine propulsion ² and have been used successfully, such as on the Silent 60 solar-electric catamaran.
As yachting is a holistic experience, we must consider all possible ways to reduce our carbon footprint. These can include treating ballast and cooling water, choosing less toxic anti-fouling paint, using a waste compactor ³, reducing single-plastic use (such as bottles, cutlery and sanitary products), using more non-refrigerated food and not damaging reefs when anchoring.
Paddling rather than using a motorized dinghy and fishing responsibly are both small steps in the correct direction.
Back to shore. Marinas are a major environmental impact. There are many ways to green them, including using native plants and trees for decoration rather than trees and plants that need more watering. In addition, we should encourage citizen initiatives like beach cleaning and participation in carbon-offsets.
The above is far from exhaustive and will not make yachting a green activity overnight, but they’re among real actions that are being considered by the industry and boat owners to protect the core of what we like about yachting: access to a pristine environment.
For more information on ideas and initiatives visit www.sealogical.com/is-green-yachting-possible The following are some examples of how to use www.waterrevolutionfoundation.org
¹ Some vertical ones such as the ones from Phileole are particularly compatible with yachts: www.phileole.com/en/product/phileole-sailing/
² www.kite-boat.com/en/
³ www.nauticexpo.com/boat-manufacturer/yachtwaste-compactor-45246.html
JEAN-BENOIT MANSHES
This article was first published on yachtstyle.co
The original article was published in Issue No. 73 of Yacht Style
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