E-Steward Resources

Pre-race briefing for 2022 Newport Bermuda Race sailors on the subject of whale sightings and marine mammal interaction while at sea. NBR sailors are encouraged to log sightings and marine mammal strikes. https://us.whales.org/

Open the document for links and 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

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]

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.

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See the attached link to 11 Hour Racing's YouTube video entitled "Best Practices for Sailors at Sea: Avoiding Marine Mammal Strikes".

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.

We all are stewards of the sea and want to do our part to ensure we do no harm and do the right thing.
I've raced and cruised through Bermuda many times.
Reducing and eliminating plastics is a goal we all share, and I'm certain we all want to ensure we do not put any fuel or oil in the sea.
Discharging oil & fuel from a bilge is not just for older boats with leaky engines, as only one fuel filter or oil change job gone bad or a leaking fuel tank or fuel hose on a new or clean boat is enough to make any boat have a perpetual issue with discharging a sheen of oil on the water every time the bilge pump operates.
The common solution is using oil-zorbs that soak up hydrocarbons which are essential for any vessel, but I have another solution using the completely non-toxic product called De-Oil-It (DOI).
DOI is on the EPA National Contingency List as a surface washing agent, but instead of washing the oil away, it disassembles hydrocarbons with the colloidal micelle process rendering the once hydrocarbons into their basic elements of H20 & CO2, hydrogen & carbon particles. Anything left is easily consumed by natural biodegradation but is rendered non-toxic after application of the DOI. Odor and flammability are also immediately resolved.
Once treated, a previously oily bilge can be discharged into the water without risking any sheen or EPA fine.
Go to YouTube and search for this video

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.

2024 Newport Bermuda Race e-stewards and other crew will find this article "WHAT TO DO WITH TRASH ABOARD?" by Jennifer Brett from Sailors of Sea helpful regarding trash handling. We call you attention to the last couple of paragraphs which gives guidance on the handling bio-degradable food waste per the MARPOL regs and while sailing in International waters. (See also our June 5, 2024 post below regarding composting (not currently available at RBYC, but being planned for future events.) Included in that post is a link to general info about garbage and recycling on the island of Bermuda.

Attention Newport Bermuda Race e-stewards and delivery crews returning to New England / NY waters and approaches:

Advisory from NOAA Fisheries:

New Right Whale Slow Zone: SW Martha’s Vineyard, MA - Effective Through 7/12

Sent courtesy of Anne DiMonti, Director RI Audubon and Alicia Schuler, Regional Large Whale Ship Strike Reduction Coordinator - Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office - NOAA Fisheries | U.S.
Phone: (978) 281-9235 www.fisheries.noaa.gov

Principal Race Officer Somers Kempe (see linked video) advising arriving Bermuda Race sailors about trash & recycling at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC). Excerpted from the 2024 Virtual Captains Meeting, June 20, 2024.

E- Steward notes re Potable Water:

“We are using 5 gal Poland Spring bottles (w/ handles) and a rechargeable pump. These bottles fit perfectly secured to our table (see pic). This method & pump was suggested by a crewmember who did the TransAtlantic (Race) last year. We will have 5 onboard for drinking in addition to our (2) smallish water blatters which we will use for dishes and such. The pump is rechargeable, lasts 4-6 bottles and costs $10. I have a manual pump as well as a backup, and a flexible large funnel to refill for the return trip. Extra bottles stashed in a couple places - (3) under the port aft bunk (balances out opposite fuel tank) and (1) under the bunk in the salon.”