Environmental impact of sailing activities

[Clamdigger]

Here's a bit of interesting water usage info, https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles...-running-water

So as cruisers we definitely don't waste water like landlubbers, especially city folk!

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Clamdigger

Here's a bit of interesting water usage info, https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles...-running-water

So as cruisers we definitely don't waste water like landlubbers, especially city folk!

True, but we’re also surrounded by billions of gallons of sea water just waiting to be run through a watermaker and made into fresh water so we can waste as much as we like.

[Buzzman]

Originally Posted by LargeMarge

Over in fUSA, their consteetushun clearly says:
"...necessary to a free state..."

To the free state of mind, I add the free states of spirit and free states of financial...

Down here in Oz, we have six States.....


....and a cuppla Territories.....



[Ducks, and runs for cover.....]

[serol1971]

I just stumbled upon another relevant issue "Aquatic hitchhikers" regarding environmental impact which I will include in a revised version of the original article.



I think it is extremely relevant for cruisers passing though multiple aquatic ecosystems. Never thought about as I am usually sailing within limited geographic areas.



There is an initiative already dealing with it .. Home - Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers


Short intro..
"Recreational activities such as recreational boating, angling, waterfowl hunting, and diving may spread aquatic invasive species. Some aquatic invasive species can attach to boats, while others can become tangled on propellers, anchor lines, or boat trailers. Many species can survive in bilge water, ballast tanks, and motors or may hide in dirt or sand that clings to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. Fortunately, completing simple steps can prevent the transport of aquatic invasive species. Remember to clean, drain, dry… In every waterbody, every time."

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by serol1971

I just stumbled upon another relevant issue "Aquatic hitchhikers" regarding environmental impact which I will include in a revised version of the original article.



I think it is extremely relevant for cruisers passing though multiple aquatic ecosystems. Never thought about as I am usually sailing within limited geographic areas.



There is an initiative already dealing with it .. Home - Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers


Short intro..
"Recreational activities such as recreational boating, angling, waterfowl hunting, and diving may spread aquatic invasive species. Some aquatic invasive species can attach to boats, while others can become tangled on propellers, anchor lines, or boat trailers. Many species can survive in bilge water, ballast tanks, and motors or may hide in dirt or sand that clings to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. Fortunately, completing simple steps can prevent the transport of aquatic invasive species. Remember to clean, drain, dry… In every waterbody, every time."

Methinks Mersk shipping alone does more harm in this area in 1 year than all the sailboats put together.
Kinda shutting the stable door after..

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

True, but we’re also surrounded by billions of gallons of sea water just waiting to be run through a watermaker and made into fresh water so we can waste as much as we like.

Someone will probably dissect that down to the power used by the watermaker. :-)

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by Cadence

Someone will probably dissect that down to the power used by the watermaker. :-)

Then I’d need to inform them of how I extract energy from the sun via solar panels to power the DC Spectra watermakers, or make it while motoring underway off excess amps produced by the alternator.

[Buzzman]

The issue of invasive species is taken seriously, despite past ****-ups like the zebra mussels in the Great Lakes and starfish and urchins in southern Australian waters.
Fines for dumping bilgewater are now pretty significant in most Western countries.
NZ, for example, does not allow boats to sail to the Auckland islands without proof of a bottom clean and a certificate from an 'approved examiner'.
They are attempting to return the Aucklands to a pre-humanity state and have already removed all the feral goats, pigs and rats that humans allowed to travel there and establish themselves.
Pigs were especially destructive of the fragile sub-antarctic megaherbs, which have shown significant recovery since eradication of the pigs, especially on Adams Island.
It's probably only viable or even possible to limit access to these islands that are so remote.
I imagine not many sailboats reach Kerguelen, Heard Is or Macquarie Is for that matter. Only the former has any real 'safe harbour', anyway. Heard Is has an anchorage, but Macquarie can't even boast that, except on a calm day.
But increases in yacht traffic in formerly relatively inaccessible areas, such as the North West Passage, Greenland, and to a lesser extent, Tierra del Fuego, may see such measures effected in these areas as well.