E-Steward Resources

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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.

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.

We did a risk review and analysis of potential environmental hazards based on our previous race experience, scored the risks based on severity and likelihood to occur, and then came up with some mitigation strategies which will be employed during our race or have been executed during race prep. This is pretty basic in my opinion, but could be a good framework for future efforts. This style of risk analysis and mitigation (see attached PDF) is based on an ISO standard framework I use in my professional duties for design and safety risk reviews.

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.”

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

Newport Bermuda Race sailors and support personnel— this two minute video highlights the efforts of Sailors for the Sea, Powered by Oceana, the world’s leading organization providing Clean Regatta tools and solutions. Our environmental stewardship efforts are directed at following their best practices. We encourage you to watch the video and check out the best practices at the link below:

https://cleanregattas.sailorsforthesea.org/best-practices-discussion-forums/

Cooks and e-stewards for the 2024 thrash, please note that RBYC advises there is no large-scale collection and composting of biodegradable food waste on Bermuda, and owing to space constraints at the Club, there will be no separate collection of food waste for composting. All spoiled food is mixed with regular, non-recyclable garbage including paper, cardboard, and plastics. These items are collected and brought to the Tynes Bay Waste-to-Energy facility where they are converted into electricity.

Glass, tin and aluminum ARE recycled, and you will find bins at RBYC for these recyclables. See Link for more information about garbage and recycling on Bermuda. Look for separate post regarding guidance for proper trash and food waste handling at sea.

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.

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

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.

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.

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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.