Moorings News

Newport, RI & Clearwater, FL – September 7, 2012 – Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation nonprofit focused on the sailing and boating community, is proud to announce The Moorings has taken the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas Pledge for Bronze level Clean Regattas certification of The Moorings 31^st Interline Regatta, held annually in the British Virgin Islands.

Clean Regattas certification provides independent, third-party verification that a yacht club, sailing program, or regatta is environmentally responsible, and is doing its utmost to protect and restore the waters upon which people sail. This program is an effort by Sailors for the Sea, in conjunction with committed participants, to reduce our impact on our oceans and coastal waters.

“The Moorings Interline Regatta is committed to serving as a model for responsible sailing,” said Annie Brett, program lead, Sailors for the Sea. “We are thrilled to support The Moorings throughout this annual event in their efforts to educate participants on environmental protection. Working with The Moorings, Sailors for the Sea will help to formalize their conservation efforts and help promote responsible environmental behaviors among regatta participants.”

The Moorings Interline Regatta is one of the Caribbean’s longest running regattas, and will celebrate its 31^st anniversary October 9-18, 2012. During this time, a new 9-day itinerary will lead Racers and Spectators throughout the British Virgin Islands with hot racing; non-stop beach parties; top-rated yachts and fun sailing days. The event is open to members of the airline industry, their family and friends, and typically draws over 300 participants annually.  

Cheryl Powell, COO of The Moorings, said, “For over 40 years, The Moorings has actively worked to make  travel experiences special while minimizing environmental impact, respecting the culture and people in destinations, and bringing real economic benefit to the local communities. In the BVI, we have built the Caribbean’s most modern and environmentally friendly charter base. Specifically, this facility includes a desalination plant that provides 60,000 gallons of water daily; laundry operation that recycles treated water to save 12,000 gallons daily; and a new marina with a flow-through breakwater-assisted by a pump, which can circulate over 50 million gallons of water in a week. This system has already greatly improved the water quality in the Road Town harbor.”

For this year’s Interline Regatta, organizers have assembled a Green Team that is responsible for communicating all Clean Regatta Best Practices to regatta participants and implementing a number of measures that are necessary to fulfill Bronze level certification criteria. Specific efforts will include:

• Relying on re-usable bow numbers
• Utilizing an automatic,  electronic charter booking and registration process
• Implementing a Recycling Program with glass collections used to produce hand-blown art by local gallery, Green VI Glassworks
• Providing oil absorbent marine pads in each Skipper Bag, and outfitting each Race Committee and Support Boat with Mini Spill Responder Kits, both courtesy of regatta sponsor, SOL Petroleum
• Preventing Stormwater Pollution by collecting, filtering and re-using all waste water run-off after all regatta yachts are hauled and painted prior to the event
• Awarding trophies hand-crafted from recycled glass by Green VI Glassworks, and sailing apparel from Official Sportswear Partner, SLAM
• Furnishing each boat with a complimentary bottle of "Savon de Mer”, a  biodegradable body wash that can be used in salt water
• Reducing printed materials, display race results electronically and utilizing 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Paper for event collateral

“We all have a responsibility to care for our planet and preserve the natural beauty of the places where we work, live and play. For over 40 years, The Moorings has been dedicated to sustainable practices, and our Clean Regattas Pledge is just another way we hope to heighten environmental awareness amongst our participants, help protect the BVI’s delicate ecosystems and reduce our environmental impact. Our commitment to Bronze Level Clean Regatta certification is just the beginning. With support from Sailors for the Sea, we look forward to achieving even higher environmental standards,” added Nicklaus Roberts, Global Communications Manager and Regatta Organizer.

Information on The Moorings 31^st Interline Regatta and the Notice of Race (NOR), as well as details for booking a Race or Spectator Yacht, is currently available at www.TheMooringsInterlineRegatta.com.

Regular event announcements are also made via Facebook at www.facebook.com/MooringsInterlineRegatta.

Benefits of Clean Regattas – Make the Pledge

By making the Clean Regattas Pledge, regattas, yacht clubs, and sailing programs commit to protecting clean waters and shores. The Sailors for the Sea's Clean Regattas program is a third-party certification program that helps participants achieve higher environmental standards. Participants vow to fulfill, and encourage others to fulfill, the goals and requirements of the program, and to work to protect oceans and locals waters for the use and enjoyment of this and future generations.

With three levels of certification (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) available, participants select their level of engagement, and work to fulfill the related certification requirements by first forming a Clean Regattas committee for the event or a permanent committee for all club/organization governance and events to oversee the certification criteria. The criteria relates to:

• trash and recycling collection and disposal
• discharge
• oil spill prevention
• green cleaning products and bottom paint usage
• bottom cleaning and boat maintenance
• global warming and carbon offsets
• biofuel conversion
• use of recycled materials in regatta awards

A Clean Regattas designation by the Sailors for the Sea organization means all competitors agree to abide by Clean Regattas Certification Level requirements. Sailors for the Sea provides support, materials, and the final certification that a club or event is a Clean Regatta. Found worldwide, the Clean Regattas program is available for all interested yacht clubs, regattas and sailing programs. By participating in the program, clubs and regattas can realize a range of immediate economic benefits including:

• saving money by reducing reliance on plastic bottles, fossil fuels, and disposable products
• getting discounts on environmentally friendly products through the Clean Regattas program
• reducing excess spending by anticipating regulations and avoiding abrupt and costly changes due to new laws and related cleanup efforts
• attracting new sponsors, donors, investors, and foundations for non-profit clubs through the positive awareness of the Clean Regattas efforts

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About Sailors for the Sea

Founded in 2004, Sailors for the Sea is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers the boating community to protect and restore our oceans and local waters. For more information on or to participate in any of the Sailors for the Sea programs, or to become a member and support the organization, visit www.sailorsforthesea.org. To make a club or an event a Clean Regattas, visit www.cleanregattas.org.

About The Moorings

The Moorings, world's premier yacht charter company, has delivered unmatched quality, service and attention to detail since 1969. Sail-it-yourself bareboat yachts, crewed yachts with captain and chef, and power yacht charters are available. The Moorings is a proud member of TUI Travel Group^®. Your vacation is in safe hands.

Contact:

Lauren Curley, Sailors for the Sea
781 383 6406
lauren@sailorsforthesea.org
Carol Hansen, The Moorings - Marketing Manager
727-437-5112
chansen@mooringsnet.com