Category Archives: Yachting news

Yachting Industry News

How to Have a Greener Family-Friendly Yacht Charter in the Mediterranean this Summer 

A yacht charter offers the perfect opportunity for an unforgettable, family-friendly vacation this summer. At Boatbookings, we understand the importance of quality time together while instilling eco-values from an early age. That’s why our fleet of greener crewed charter catamarans is family-friendly. 

Our child-friendly yachts check every box, from enhanced safety features and ample play space to overflowing toy boxes and chefs catering to all ages. We also go a step further by offering engaging eco-activities and more sustainable practices that will inspire the next generation. 

Here, we have put together some of the ways you can have a greener family-friendly charter in the Mediterranean: 

Marine Life Education 

While onboard in the Mediterranean this summer, there are plenty of activities to get your children excited about marine life and preserving it. You can start this process by using mobile apps to identify tropical fish, dolphins, turtles, and other creatures you encounter. The crew onboard a crewed charter catamaran can also teach children about marine habitats and how to be responsible visitors to the ocean, following the “no trace” principles. There are lots of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) throughout the region, from Greece and Croatia to the French Riviera and the Italian islands, where you can adhere to the strcit rules and regulations working to protect the habitats.

Beach Clean Ups 

Participating in a beach clean-up during your boat charter is a rewarding experience, perfect for all ages. Collecting litter and debris allows families to directly contribute to protecting the surrounding ecosystems. Initiatives such as these can help families feel empowered knowing they have been part of the solution to protecting our oceans and coastlines. 

Eco-Friendly Water Fun 

Children and adults alike on a crewed charter love the toy box. There are a whole host of greener toys you can play on, contributing to more eco-friendly boating and steering clear of the fuel-guzzling water toys and opting for the greener versions, such as the electric-powered toys or even the human-powered ones such as paddleboarding and kayaking while onboard. While ashore, the crew can also arrange responsible activities contributing to the local economy and supporting environmental and conservation initiatives. 

Better Boating Practices 

Our selection of greener crewed catamarans offers a greener charter experience for you and your family. These boats are a great platform to explain the best practices. The crew can educate everyone about the renewable energy sources being used, such as hybrid electric motors and solar panels. Onboard, you can get invovled in the responsible waste management programs and using the eco-friendly products. 

Book Today! 

If you are interested in a family-friendly boat charter, contact one of the Boatbookings team members to discuss this further. We have a range of greener crewed catamarans with still some available for this summer’s Mediterranean season. Get in touch today! 

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Responsible Boaters: Mediterranean Destinations that Champion Sustainability

The Mediterranean remains one of our favorite boating destinations. However, this cruising area is suffering as the world faces mounting pressures from over-tourism and environmental impacts. With the summer season fast approaching, boaters can enjoy more sustainable yachting adventures across the Mediterranean. 

Boatbookings Prioritizing Sustainability 

At Boatbookings, we always advocate for more responsible boating. Firstly, we offer a range of greener crewed catamarans, which have less impact on our seas. When organizing a boat charter in the Mediterranean, we focus on facilitating more sustainable practices onboard through your preference sheet, such as requesting local and seasonal produce and reducing the amount of single-use plastics. 

The Mediterranean is home to some of the world’s best Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), teeming with vibrant marine life that we love to snorkel and dive. While boating in these areas, there are a range of procedures you can follow to not disrupt the ecosystems. Meanwhile, on land, when you are visiting these destinations, we encourage engaging with the local communities when purchasing and getting involved in responsible activities. 

We have put together a list of the top 5 Mediterranean destinations that champion sustianability: 

1. French Riviera 

The French Riviera is a premier cruising destination, and for good reason. From St Tropez to Monaco, the region is full of glamourous destinations, idyllic bays, and prestigious events. However, due to its popularity, there has been some negative impact of yachting. Today, the anchoring of yachts along the French Riviera is strictly regulated to protect the Posidonia seagrass. The French maritime authorities PREMAR have implemented increased anchoring rules in these areas to protect the ecosystem. 

In addition to anchoring regulations, all of the ports along the French Riviera have implemented stringent policies to keep the marina waters clean. You can no longer wash boat oils, wastewaters, and other pollutants into the sea. As an example, Cannes has implemented the following requirements on all ships in the Cannes waters:

  • The use of fuel with 0.1% sulfur content
  • A ban on incinerating waste on board upon entering the compulsory ‘piloting area’
  • The establishment of a tendering process that takes into account the environment
  • A ban on discharging wastewater, even treated wastewater, and water from fume washing systems in the piloting and mooring areas;
  • The obligation to bypass the ‘Posidonia meadows’ during maneuvers and anchoring;
  • the promotion of sustainability initiatives among operators carrying cruise passengers.

2. The Ionian Islands

For island-hopping itineraries, Greece is a perfect destination. The Ionian Islands lie off the country’s west coast in the Ionian Sea. An initiative aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and environment conservation throughout the islands is the Ionian Environment Foundation. Focussing on this area, the program distributes sustainable sailing packs showcasing how boaters can avoid negative impacts when sailing these islands. 

3. Mallorca

The Save the Med Foundation, based in Mallorca, enables the Balearic Sea to recover its rich biodiversity. Through marine conservation, research, educational outreach, and advocating for new MPAs, this organization showcases these islands as a hub for innovative initiatives to inspire other regions. One particular priority for Save the Med is tackling plastic pollution. 

4. Sicily 

A prominent issue within marine conservation is the problem of discarded fishing nets. The Italian island of Sicily is working to combat this while protecting and preserving the island’s nature through the Sicily Environment Fund. One of its projects is the ‘Ghost Net Recovery’ initiative in Ustica, which collects and recycles discarded fishing nets. 

5. Croatia

Croatia is another famous island-hopping sailing destination, especially for our crewed charter catamarans. The Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development (SUNCE) safeguards the country’s marine ecosystems. One project is the ‘Marine Litter Free Dalmation Islands Project,’ which empowers local communities to gather data on marine debris distribution and develop effective waste management systems through active engagement. 

The Mediterranean summer season is fast approaching; let’s protect and preserve these destinations, reducing our impact. If you still need to arrange this summer’s Mediterranean greener crewed charter catamarans, contact one of the Boatbookings team today.

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Fueling the Future: What is Best for the Boating Industry?

The boating industry has been increasing its focus on sustainability and reducing its environmental impact for some time now. As concerns over climate change and fossil fuel depletion mount, many boat builders are setting their sights on utilizing alternative fuels in the future. 

At Boatbookings, we consistently work to minimize our impact on the oceans and always offer our clients greener crewed catamaran options. 

With the advancements in technology and a growing demand for greener solutions, a range of alternative fuel options are emerging as viable contenders for the future of boating. We take a look at them here: 

Electric 

Electric propulsion systems, powered by advanced battery technologies, have become more prevalent in today’s boats. These systems eliminate the need for traditional combustion engines, significantly reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution. While there are still challenges in terms of range and charging infrastructure, battery technology is constantly improving, and today, charging within the marina is increasing, making this a better option. 

Biofuels 

A promising alternative is biofuel, derived from renewable sources such as plant materials and agricultural waste. One example being used in boating is Hydotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The benefit of this fuel is that it can be placed within existing diesel engines and, therefore, can be used for the existing fleet as it can be mixed with diesel and has been said to cut carbon emissions by 90%. At the moment, the availability of this fuel remains limited, and therefore, it is not accessible to many boats, but this is improving with demand. 

Hydrogen 

Hydrogen can be used in combustion engines and fuel cells and has been said to be the most sustainable. Therefore, hydrogen is one of the central elements of the energy transition. However, there are challenges for the boating industry. The use of hydrogen presents issues such as the large amount of volume to store and the amount of energy required from renewable sources to produce it.

Methanol 

This has been one of the leading alternative fuel options, and while not yet available for yachts, it is the most likely for the next generation of commercial shipping. However, storing methanol onboard requires much more volume, resulting in less usable space. As an alternative, this fuel can also be used via fuel cells to generate electric power. Lurssen has long been working with alternative fuel technology. They developed fuel cell propulsion technology using hydrogen, reformed from methanol.

Hybrid 

Hybrid diesel-electric engines are becoming extremely popular in boating. This alternative results in higher efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and fewer emissions. It also allows the integration of different energy sources, such as hydro generation and solar. Hybrids also will enable the mixing of mechanical propulsion with electrical propulsion. 

Solar

Solar energy has become a valuable addition to energy and is an excellent use of natural energy. Silent Yachts and Sunreef catamaran builders facilitate solar panels within their catamaran design. While solar energy is a good addition and valuable in the energy mix for hybrids, more is needed to fuel larger yachts. 

As the boating industry continues to pursue more sustainable alternatives, each fuel option has its unique set of pros and cons. Factors such as price, availability, storage requirements, safety considerations, and viability must be evaluated to determine the best option. 

The discussion is endless. At Boatbookings, we are committed to staying on top of the alternatives and implementing more ways to reduce our impact. To find out more about chartering one of our greener crewed catamarans, contact a member of the Boatbookings team today. 

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Top 6 Tips To Navigate a Responsible Catamaran Charter 

At Boatbookings, our catamaran charters have become increasingly popular. It is more important than ever to be mindful of our environmental impact while enjoying a crewed catamaran charter. 

Catamarans are an excellent choice for a more sustainable charter due to their energy-efficient design and stability. But there is more you can do than simply choosing a catamaran. 

Here, we have put together additional steps to help reduce your impact when on a yacht charter vacation: 

1. Choose Environmentally-Protected Destinations

When planning your charter route, favor areas with robust environmental protections and designated marine parks. These locations will have regulations to preserve coral reefs, marine life, and surrounding waters. Your charter crew can guide you on the best practices for these areas onboard. There are plenty of marine parks in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Southeast Asia working to protect our oceans. 

2. Be Clear on your Preference Sheet 

Before you step foot onboard, you will have a preference sheet. Use this as an opportunity to specify your interests in more sustainable options. Request locally sourced produce, sustainable suppliers, eco-friendly cleaning products, toiletries, and minimal packaging. You can also ask to avoid single-use plastic as much as possible onboard. 

3. Reduce Energy Consumption 

Thanks to their low-drag hulls, catamarans are exceptionally fuel-efficient, but there are many other ways to conserve energy onboard during your vacation. You can easily limit the electricity demands by using outdoor lighting sparingly, turning off lights, only running the air conditioning when necessary, and unplugging devices when not in use. 

4. Respect Marine Life 

Always ensure you adhere to responsible wildlife viewing practices when enjoying a crewed charter catamaran. These practices include keeping your distance and avoiding loud noises or sudden movements. Never feed, touch, or chase any wildlife you encounter on the water. 

5. Eco-Friendly Playtime

Water toys are essential to any yacht charter but can also negatively impact our oceans. Be sure to use the more eco-friendly options. Hydrofoils and electric toys are a great alternative as they do not contribute to air pollution due to the battery-powered operation. There are also plenty of toys that are human-powered and just as fun to explore bays and islands, such as windsurfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. 

6. Offset your Carbon 

While catamarans are already a lower-impact way to charter, you can take it further by offsetting your carbon emissions. With our carbon offset calculator, you can determine your footprint. We use information about the boat and itinerary to predict and measure emissions and then calculate the carbon credits needed to purchase to offset. We ensure it is done correctly through our work with Climate Care, funding UN-approved projects. 

We offer various options for greener charter catamarans. Contact a member of the Boatbookings team today to discuss booking one of these charter catamarans ensuring you have less impact on your next yacht charter vacation.

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A Better Boating Industry: Decoding Sustainability Jargon 

The boating industry has been improving its sustainability credentials. However, it is a challenging and confusing landscape to navigate due to the complexity of the topic and solutions and the difficulty in defining and explaining it.

At Boatbookings, we understand there is a lot of jargon to untangle to provide a clearer understanding of the problems, solutions, and steps we can take to help pave a better pathway to the future.

Here, we have outlined some of the terminology related to this topic:

Sustainability 

This is a broad and complex topic. It refers to actions, processes, or systems that can be maintained or continued over the longer term without depleting natural resources or causing harm to the environment. Sustainability considers economic, social, and environmental factors. 

Eco-friendly 

When something is referred to as ‘eco-friendly’, this focuses on the products, practices, or lifestyles with minimal environmental impact. The emphasis is on reducing environmental harm, often through environmentally friendly materials, processes, or energy sources. 

Biodegradable

When something will eventually decay into smaller and smaller pieces by natural processes, this means that it is biodegradable. 

Carbon footprint

This measures the total amount of greenhouse gases, specifically carbon dioxide, emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, event, organization, or product throughout its lifecycle. The carbon footprint quantifies the impact of human activities on the environment in terms of their contribution to climate change.

Carbon Neutral 

If something is carbon neutral, it means that carbon reduction efforts offset the carbon emissions produced during its life cycle. This can be achieved through reducing carbon emissions followed by carbon credit offsetting. At Boatbookings, we have our carbon calculator to help work this out. 

Net Zero 

This is similar to carbon neutrality, but net zero encompasses all greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, this is often used on a broader scale. Net zero means that the boat, product, or company in focus produces as much greenhouse gas emissions as it removes from the atmosphere. 

Carbon Offsetting 

A process to compensate for the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions created by participating in schemes designed to make equivalent reductions of gases in the atmosphere. Using our carbon emissions calculator can help keep you accountable for your boating activities.

Circular Economy

This economic system is designed to eliminate waste and promote the continual use and recycling of resources to create a closed-loop system. 

While this is not an exhaustive list, we hope you found this helpful! We continue to put the future of the boating industry at the forefront of our commitment. Contact us about one of our greener-crewed charter catamarans today.

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