E-Steward Resources

As I’m sure you’re aware, everyone needs to be wearing sunscreen. We all know it’s critical to protect us from the sun’s harmful UV rays that can cause sunburns, skin cancer and other types of skin damage. But if the chemicals in certain sunscreens are hurting marine ecosystems, the question also begs to be asked: How safe is this sunscreen for humans?

That’s why my team at EcoWatch created this guide: Your Sunscreen Is Toxic: How to Buy Sunscreen That’s Safe for You & the Environment

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

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.

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.”

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

Green Boating Plan for Safir NBR 2022 including tips and action plans

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.

Hi! I'm part of the NBR Green Team, don't hesitate to reach out if you want to talk ideas 🙂

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.

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This link provides some of the best options for purchasing flight and travel carbon offsets.

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/