Green Team Ideas

Fuel - We typically burn one tank (37 gallons) or less per year as we do not have a generator and at cruising speed, we use approximately .7 GPH...which is around 50 hours run time. In the Bermuda Race, we may use as much as 10 gallons total between start/finish and occasionally charging batteries, which are lithium (quick charging, high capacity). We typically use what is available locally...ValvTect Premium Diesel, which contains Bio Guard biocide.

Plastic - We do not use plastic anything; everyone has their own water bottle, and we have 100 gallons of freshwater capacity PLUS a water maker that can produce 37 GPH. Water bottles are re-filled in the galley, which has filtered fresh water. We can use sea water for washing dishes. All kitchen utensils, cutlery, dishes (melamine), etc. are washable and re-usable; nothing disposable.

Waste - Onboard trash goes into a designated bin, clearly marked in the galley area and gets properly disposed upon reaching land; basically, nothing goes overboard that is not biodegradable. Tissue paper is marine specific, bio-degradable, as well.

Sails - As Raven is relatively new (to the owner and crew), we do not have any excess sails; thus, cannot claim to have recycled any...but may at some point, as we wear out the carbon sails. (Incidentally, that is why we will use cruising sails for delivery...they say every time a carbon sail luffs, it costs about $100...PER FLAP

Guidance for trash & recycling at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club for arriving 2022 Newport Bermuda Race sailors. This 2-minute video was excerpted from the captain's meeting in Newport, June 16, 2022. Presenter is Commodore Craig Davis, RBYC. Please pay special attention to his guidance on reusable drink cups.

For NBR sailors and delivery crews:

11 Hour Racing team (MALAMA) has provided this very helpful Newport Bermuda Race briefing on MARINE MAMMAL risks including:

* Key take outs
* Best practices overview
* Marine Mammal ID Chart
* Data Collection guidance (both for live observations and reporting)
* North Atlantic Right Whale brief & guidance
* Reference/resource page

This is a must-see brief for NBR e-stewards. Consider making this part of a pre-race crew briefing.

Note: Amory Ross is Malama's NBR e-steward.

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Attention Newport Bermuda Race skippers and e-stewards: This article by 11th Hour Racing Team provides important background information on protecting marine mammals while ocean racing. Please review this information in advance of departing Newport and see the YouTube video linked entitled "Best Practices for Sailors at Sea: Avoiding Marine Mammal Strikes" on P 2 of this post.

Open the document for links and ideas!

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Here are a few last minute food prep tips: cooking communal meals ahead of time and freezing them in reusable containers to keep our other perishable food cold (we don't have refrigeration on board). Repackaging other food at home where it is easier to properly recycle packaging

We are racing with (6) and are thinking about our shoreside impacts, especially travel to and from the race. Age-old ideas like car-pooling are cool again! We're renting a van so our crew (6) can dramatically reduce our transportation carbon emissions. For those flying home (like myself), purchasing a carbon offset is an option. The link attached gives a great overview of carbon offsets - what they are and why they are good.

The Green Team editor adds that there is something noble about Abigail, Jesse Terry's beloved 1956 Alden ketch (pic attached), storing carbon in the ribs, hull, deck and spars.

Give new life to an old sail and recycle it. Through the SEA BAGS Sail Trade Program, they make the process of donating a sail easy. And for every usable sail, they offer customers a Sea Bags product in trade.

This is a general FYI about a bilge filter that can filter out hydrocarbons including oil, gas and diesel fuel from bilge water. The manufacturer, Centek Industries, says this is done without increasing the pressure on the bilge pump. The filter is sold at West Marine and other marine hardware stores. I have used this product on my own boat.

We've deployed a Watt-and-Sea hydrogenator to keep vessel batteries topped up. Can mount on port or starboard side transom mounts, tilts up (like a dinghy outboard), and tethers to the lifelines (so it won't fall in while moving!). The drag at moderate speed aren't material, and whatever we lose we will gain by carrying less fuel. We've tested thoroughly and are confident it can keep up with all of our shipboard energy needs.

Grove Collaborative is a great organization that brings together variously sustainably produced products for purchase. These include cleaning products, sustainable solutions for kitchen storage, personal care, products, among others. Grove plans to be plastic-free by 2025.

As of May 14, 2022 about (50) Newport Bermuda Race skippers have designated an environmental steward on their crew rosters (see SailGate crew management). The file attached provides optional guidance for e-stewards developed with the assistance Dave Johnson on SAFIR. We welcome your input and ideas which you post here or email to [email protected]

Our Official Sustainability sponsor, Sea Bags encourages donations of used sails which are turned into handbags and other attractive accessories. Sails can be dropped off at any of their retail locations or you can arrange for a pick-up. Soon our sustainability web page will have more information on Sea Bags and links to information on their sail donation program. See this and other content under "Conservation Tips"