By Diane Chase / Photo: Terrence McArdle/ Ragana

While Artemis II and its crew captured global attention on their journey around the moon, highlighting unity and humanity from space, sailors preparing for the 54th Bermuda Race are working to celebrate and protect the environment from both sea and shore.

Although the 636-mile race is sailed largely out of sight of land, the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee (BROC), guided by its Clean Regatta objectives, is collaborating closely with race festival volunteers at Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island, and with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) to ensure an environmentally responsible race from start to finish.

Festival Director Melissa McTavish says the Starting Line Festival is striving to be as sustainable as possible. Water-filling stations will be available for spectators, and attendees are encouraged to consider biking or using water taxis to reach Fort Adams.

“Let 2026 be the year where fewer cars are used to get to the Starting Line festival,” she says. “We’ve partnered with Bike Newport to provide ample bike parking, and harbor shuttles and ferry services will run extra trips to accommodate the event.”

Jennifer Bull, Chair of RBYC’s Green Team says at least half the effort in sustainability is communication.

“Alongside practical measures—such as reusable water bottles, eco-friendly dining ware, sustainably sourced meals, and effective waste management, the team is expanding visibility through new branding, a “Sailing to Green” logo, a dedicated sustainability webpage, and coordinated Green Team volunteers.” 

“We’re aiming for our best Clean Regatta yet,” she adds. 

NBR Green Team leader Chan Reis notes that the race follows the 20 Clean Regatta best practices developed by Sailors for the Sea – Powered by Oceana. “We’ve also introduced new ideas, like encouraging skippers to appoint onboard ‘e-stewards’ to champion these practices.” 

With approximately 160 boats expected at the June 19 start, and thousands more watching from the extraordinary vantage point of Fort  Adams, the potential reach of these sustainability messages is significant.  

Reis emphasizes that planning and messaging across all stakeholders is critical. Sailors, support personnel, equipment suppliers, spectators, all play a role. By implementing and promoting Clean Regatta practices, everyone can help protect the ocean, Earth’s most vital resource.

Diane Chase is a sailor and Bermuda Race volunteer, and a former member of the Sailing World and Cruising World marketing group.

Interested in volunteering? Apply here: https://bermudarace.com/volunteer-application/