Sailors on a Mission

Just trying to help spread the word.

From Scuttlebutt:

"Sailors have a unique opportunity to demonstrate concern and respect for
our threatened oceans and their inhabitants. So by signing the Blue Water
Charter, each sailor agrees to limit the impact of their sailing activities
on the marine environment. But perhaps more importantly, sailors agree to
become an ambassador for the future of the oceans, estuaries, and inshore
waters. Sign the charter today and join the movement to save our Oceans!"

Blue Water Charter:
- Limit impact of toxins
- Reduce, reuse and recycle plastics
- Promote awareness of ocean acidification
- Nothing non-biodegradable overboard!
- Dispose of organic waste thoughtfully
- Anchor harmlessly
- Respect marine life

Sailors on a Mission is an all volunteer non-profit foundation committed to improving health care for children and to raising awareness for our endangered oceans through sailing adventures.

2 men, 1 boat, 2100 miles of open ocean:
Jean-Philippe and Stephane have committed themselves to a 15 day human adventure by racing across 2,100 miles of open ocean from San Francisco to Hawaii in a 24 foot sailboat - the smallest boat in the fleet. The event will take place in July 2008.

The project 'Le Flying Fish' will solely rely on the sun as a sustainable energy source to power the electronics: SSB radio, navigation instruments, laptop... No CO2 emission! The strategy will be fairly simple: minimize power consumption to the strict necessary.


Details at http://www.sailorsonamission.org/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/


Cheers

 

Can't see why we need to sign anything, most sailors do this as a matter of course - not to save the planet, more to save money!! Power and enrgy is so damn expensive!!

 

Safie,

You're right, the practices are the right ones, and they are what all sailors should be doing. Unfortunately, "should do" and "do" are all too often different.

Anything that promotes respect for the oceans and reminds everyone that we need to be careful is a good thing. If everyone were really as careful as you say, there wouldn't be so much damn plastic floating around!

 

Yeap! A lot of sailors still have to be educated as to not conceive the sea as the "big rubbish dump". I have heard this expression from otherwise salty and sensible sailors too often when child. Even nowadays we still have a problem with commercial fishermen (and not only) around here, in spite of all educating efforts.

Cheers.

 

can only say, that although I do regard Aussies as , well less than educated!! , they do have great respect for the Oceans, I see em coming ashore with their plastic bags full of , , well plastic!!
Better still, would it not be the bestest idea to reject at source, anything packaged on plastic?

 

Now going for some days out sailing with my children. See you all again soon.

Cheers!

 

From what I have seen over the years, most of the rubbish got dumped by the galley staff, even on ships doing short voyages. I spent a week on a large vessel doing sub-sea work 3 weeks ago and was shocked to see rubbish in the water one night at midnight. We were on DP at the time so it was not going to dissapear quickly. Old habits die hard I'm afraid. Of course nobody owned up.

 

A way to make it fun is to practice MOB drills to recover floating garbage.

Great way to keep good seamanship skills sharp and the crew to help keep a proper look-out.

 

Murdo, totally agree there, old habits do die hard, but education is a must and the next generation must be taught now before they too get into the habit! But how? aye there is the crux! You need to make these guys want to clean up their act. Unfortunately the average 'profesional seafarer' sees the sea as a means to and end and as he's constantly moving, like all gypsies, it ain't his to care about (besides which its easier to chuck it overside than clean it up - out of sight out of mind!) that has to change - now!! The big stick is good but does not always work!

 

Cool idea, Randy.

 

Thanks,

I started picking up junk from the local waterways and now I try to find at least one piece of garbage to 'rescue' every time I take the boat out. Works even on a stinkpot ... (oh the shame)

 

In the process it also helps both you and the crew in coordination, semanship, boat handling, and cooperation Plus of course rather than using your 'own' gear IF it goes wrong you don't loose anything (except maybe pride and the piece of 'rubbish', OK that's bad but it shouldn't be life threatening)


A really neat idea!!

 

Here an image from my four boys aboard good old Marie these last days. They are well taught about not littering the sea....
Girls decided to remain ashore to enjoy some days without boys (we were seven. Clever girls!)

Cheers.

 

Aye, you have a fine crew there

Murdo

 

Guillermo,

Who was at the helm then?

Best regards,

Perry