A Caribbean Charter: Embrace Eco-Friendly Activities in the Caribbean

The Caribbean is one of our favorite destinations for a crewed catamaran charter. But we need to become increasingly conscious of our impact as we travel, so engaging in more eco-friendly activities on vacation is one way to do so.

Our team at Boatbookings has been visiting the Caribbean for years and, unfortunately, is seeing increasing negative impacts on the islands. We want you and future generations to enjoy this paradise, and we need to preserve our planet and oceans. 

So, here are some ways you can enjoy the Caribbean with less of an impact: 

Snorkel in Marine Reserves

One of the best ways to appreciate the Caribbean’s underwater wonders is by snorkeling. There are so many designated marine reserves, like the Tobago Cays Marine Park in St Vincent and the Grenadines, that ensure that these ecosystems continue to be protected. When exploring the underwater world in these regulated parks, refrain from touching or disturbing any marine life and wear reef-friendly suncream to minimize your impact further.

Responsible Wildlife Encounters 

The Caribbean is home to unique and diverse wildlife throughout the islands, from sea turtles nesting on the beaches to exotic birds in the forests. Choose wildlife excursions that adhere to ethical practices, ensuring minimal disturbance to the animals and their habitats. Various islands offer opportunities to witness sea turtle conservation efforts; check out the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network to learn more. 

Community-Based Tourism 

While you are on your crewed charter catamaran, you can engage with local communities in plenty of ways. Contact us to learn about the community-based tourism initiatives in the area you will be cruising. These experiences offer authentic insights into Caribbean culture while directly benefitting local economies. There are plenty of activities that foster a connection with the community and contribute to sustainable development. 

Conservation Projects 

Take part in organized beach cleanups or conservation projects that aim to protect the coastal ecosystems. Many organizations in the Caribbean regularly host community events focused on protecting the coastal and marine environments. If you are chartering in the Bahamas, you can learn about the importance of coral reefs. The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation offers various programs and expert-led snorkeling tours, and you can even adopt your own coral fragment! 

Fish Sustainably 

One particular threat to the Caribbean’s natural balance is the lionfish, an invasive species from the Pacific Ocean. There are various initiatives across the islands to try to control the population. In St Lucia, you can participate in educational lionfish diving and fishing excursions. 

Local Hiking Tours 

You can enjoy guided hiking tours with local tour operators within the lush rainforests that cover the islands. These give you an insight into the incredible environments and local cultures. The Wallings Nature Reserve in Antigua is managed by women from the nearby village of John Hughes, and they led various solo and guided hiking tours, highlighting local flora and species; all fees support the reserve. 

By choosing more eco-friendly activities and supporting sustainable initiatives, generations to come will also be able to enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean. Contact one of the Boatbookings team today to chat about your next greener crewed charter catamaran vacation in the Caribbean. And leave only footprints! 

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Give Back to Our Oceans This Christmas

We are in full festive Christmas spirit here at Boatbookings. As we organize and exchange gifts, it is the perfect time to go beyond the traditional and consider presents that not only bring joy but also give back to our oceans. With our oceans facing unprecedented threats, supporting ocean conservation and sustainability is more critical than ever. 

Here are some ways to make a difference to our oceans this Christmas: 

Adopt Marine Life

If you have a loved one with a particular affinity to a sea creature, why not adopt one as a gift this Christmas? Many marine conservation organizations offer adoption programs, whether it be a sea turtle, dolphin, or even whale. One of those is the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF). The funds raised from these often go toward further research and conservation efforts to protect these amazing creatures and their habitats.

Ocean-Inspired Products

With more awareness of the dangers our oceans face, an increasing number of companies and artisans are coming onto the scene to craft upcycled products from ocean trash. A lot of these brands also donate a portion of their profits to marine conservation projects, allowing you to give a great gift and contribute to a healthier ocean. Innovative brands such as Waterhaul create sunglasses from waste fishing nets. For jewelry lovers, 4Ocean produces ocean-themed bracelets from the removal of ocean plastic. It isn’t only fishing nets and plastic but also sails that can end up in our seas; SeaBags take worn-out and discarded sailcloth to make numerous products, including toiletry bags. 

Eat & Be Merry, Sustainably 

Without a doubt, Christmas is a time for indulgence, but what if you could enjoy this while having a lighter impact? Firstly, opt for local and seasonal produce wherever you are this holiday season to reduce your carbon footprint and minimize food air miles. Consider also choosing a sustainable wine producer like SeaChange wine, which is dedicated to providing eco-friendly wines that actively contribute to marine conservation. Their commitment includes removing plastic wrap-around corks and donating to marine charities with each bottle sold. 

Push The Boat Out 

If you want that extra special gift, why not gift a greener crewed catamaran charter this Christmas with Boatbookings? We advocate for a more sustainable boating industry and strive to protect our oceans. Choose from our selection of greener crewed charter catamarans.

Our oceans are vital to everything we do; by choosing gifts that give back to the ocean, we can collectively positively impact marine ecosystems and work toward a more sustainable future. Contact the Boatbookings team today to chat about what we are doing to help our oceans in 2024. 

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Marine Conservation: 4 Organizations That Are Protecting Our Oceans

Marine conservation organizations are vital to our boating industry. Our ocean ecosystem makes up 70% of the Earth’s surface, and it is under threat. From overfishing, pollution to climate change, many dedicated groups strive to restore and protect the oceans from numerous challenges. 

At Boatbookings, we value the work that these inspiring organizations are doing to protect and preserve marine ecosystems and biodiversity; here, we shine a spotlight on some of these: 

Blue Marine Foundation 

From Greece and Italy to The Maldives and Patagonia, the Blue Marine Foundation has a whole host of projects around the world. They work to secure protected areas, develop models for sustainable fishing, restore marine habitats, and highlight unsustainable fishing to connect people and communities. The Blue Marine Yacht Club works to unite the yachting community in protecting the oceans through donations, support, and expertise. Since its launch in 2012, shipyards like Feadship, Lurssen, and Benetti have been involved.

Sea Shepherd 

Renowned for its direct action campaigns, Sea Shepherd defends various issues surrounding preserving marine wildlife. The marine conservation organization has a fleet of boats whose sole purpose is to protect the oceans in line with conservation law against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Sea Shepherd now has an international fleet with ten ships and several smaller boats. They are on the front line, and we admire the hands-on approach. 

4 Ocean 

One issue that is still plaguing our oceans is that of plastic pollution. The average person uses 9 pounds of single-use plastic every month, and a lot is ending up in our waterways. The ocean cleanup organization 4Ocean is a certified B corp. It is using the power of business to fund a global cleanup operation to recover millions of pounds of plastic from our oceans. Founded by two surfers after their trip to Bali, they recognized the issue and wanted to make a difference; they sell bracelets made from recovered plastic and run a plastic offsetting program. 

Coral Reef Alliance

Dedicated to coral reef conservation, this environmental non-profit is based in California. It works to reduce the threats to reef damage, ensuring that they can continue to adapt to climate change. With problems such as pollution, sedimentation, overfishing, and sustainable tourism, coral reefs are in danger. The Coral Reef Alliance combines advanced science with community engagement, particularly scuba divers, to help protect and preserve. The projects are mainly located in Hawaii and the Western Caribbean; however, they raise awareness on a global level. 

How Can You Support?

Supporting these and other marine conservation organizations doesn’t require a science degree. You can get involved in so many different ways. Firstly donations are vital and help fund research and on-the-ground initiatives. If it is time you have, organizations are always looking for volunteers, whether a beach clean-ups or community-led projects. You can also spread awareness to educate others; why not send and share this blog to your network and help make a difference? 

Above everything, you must be helping become part of the solution, not the problem, and adopt greener practices in everything you do, including boating. Firstly, reducing your carbon footprint is critical; to do this, you need to calculate it. For all our charters, you can use our carbon offset calculator.

Contact our team today to find out about our greener crewed charter catamarans for you to enjoy the ocean more responsibly. 

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METSTRADE 2023 Updates: The Waves of Decarbonization

Decarbonization is an issue of high priority within the boating sector. At Boatbookings, we are passionate about this dynamic topic, regularly staying ahead of the developments and innovations working to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. 

At this year’s METSTRADE show in Amsterdam, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) presented their latest report, ‘Pathways to Propulsion Decarbonization for the Recreational Marine Industry.’ 

The Report 

This comprehensive report focuses on boats under 24 meters. It outlines a strategic portfolio of technologies to propel the recreational marine industry toward a greener future. 

The research investigated propulsion technologies across nine common recreational watercraft, evaluating the impact on lifetime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, financial costs, usability, performance, range, and infrastructure. 

The technologies examined included battery electric, hybrid electric, hydrogen, and internal combustion engines (ICE) with sustainable marine fuels and traditional diesel engines. 

Main Findings

  • It emphasized the need for diverse solutions in the quest to reduce carbon emissions. Noting that 80% of a car’s environmental impact is in its usage, a far higher proportion of a boat’s environmental impact comes from its manufacture – as high as 50%. Given the unique on-water environments and varied interests of boats, the study suggests a one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible. Instead, the sector must consider a range of technologies. 
  • Among findings, sustainable liquid marine fuels, such as renewable drop-in fuels, emerge as a highly promising energy source for decarbonizing boats by 2035, potentially reducing emissions by 90%. 
  • Hydrogen also stands out as a potential source for emissions reduction, provided the production process is optimized. 
  • Electric propulsion, while part of the strategy, is stated not to be universally suitable for all types of craft and use cases. 
  • Hybrid boats that use electric motors and ICEs powered by liquid fuels offer the potential to reduce emissions from boats in certain scenarios – boats used for longer periods and over greater distances. Hybrid technology provides the most potential for emissions reduction for charter.

Report Recommendations

The report recommendations included the following:

1. Adoption of a technology-neutral decarbonization approach for marine environments.

2. Acceleration of the development and distribution of sustainable marine fuels, supported by educational campaigns.

3. Collaboration between consumer safety, government entities, and recreational marine industry to establish marine electric technology and safety protocols.

4. Expansion of R&D tax credits and investments to improve electric battery density and hydrogen research applicable to maritime. 

5. Continued research to evaluate existing and emerging technologies and optimal application. 

No Easy Answer

While an interesting report, there are evidently various connected factors that will prove influential in the coming years. These include innovative products, new technologies, changes in consumer behavior, improvements in recyclability, the reuse of materials, emerging battery technologies, and the availability of these sustainable fuels.

To read the report in full, visit propellingourfuture.com. If you’re interested in chartering a greener crewed charter catamaran in the Caribbean this winter, contact one of the Boatbookings team today.

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Discover the Caribbean with the Sunreef Eco 80, Sol

With the Caribbean season warming up, we wanted to showcase one of our newest Sunreef Eco 80 catamarans, Sol, as part of our more sustainable offerings. At Boatbookings, we advocate for greener crewed charter catamaran options, which is why we love having Sol to offer to clients. 

Sol officially debuted at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last month and is Sunreef’s newest Eco fleet member.

Here are some of the reasons why you should choose Sol today: 

1. Sol is more sustainable 

Sol is a Sunreef Eco 80 and utilizes cutting-edge technologies and systems to minimize waste and emissions. The electric propulsion system runs silently and is bolstered by the large solar panel covering (integrated into the superstructure, hull and bimini roof) and battery banks. Inside, Sol has vegan furniture and finishes, showcasing cruelty-free decor. 

Sol also has an efficient waste management system featuring onboard composting, and there is limited single-use plastic with the water filtration system and reusable bottles. The crew onboard Sol use non-toxic and reef-safe toiletries and cleaning. Meanwhile, the chefs offer seasonal and local menus to guests to further reduce the yacht’s carbon emissions and to support local businesses. 

2. Sol offers great wellness packages 

As well as sustainability, the crew onboard Sol prioritize you. This Sunreef Eco is the perfect base for a wellness-focused experience in the Caribbean. The crew provides the ultimate amenities to relax and recharge, complete with yoga and meditation spaces. There is also the opportunity for plenty of spa treatments on your charter. The onboard menus can also be tailored to a wellness-based retreat with gourmet, plant-based menus as an option. 

3. Sol has plenty of activities 

The Sunreef Eco is always equipped with plenty of amenities, and with Sol, this is no different. There is an array of on and off-the-water activities, including beach toys, kayaks, paddle boards, snorkelling e-bikes and foil boards. 

4. Sol cruises the Caribbean 

All of our crewed charter catamarans are perfect for cruising the Caribbean; like Sol, Sunreef’s can get into the best anchorages throughout the BVI’s through to the Bahamas. We can create a tailored and bespoke itinerary for you to cruise Sol. Whether you want to spend your days simply relaxing onboard or getting out on the water for adventures, your vacation will be truly memorable onboard Sol! 

Get onboard Sol today! 

Contact the Boatbookings team today to enjoy a greener crewed charter catamaran on Sol in the Caribbean. We want to protect our oceans and minimize the impact the boating industry is having, which is why we champion builders such as Sunreef. Make a difference today and book a more sustainable charter option. 

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