With over 14 billion pounds of waste (mostly plastics) dumped into our oceans each year, recycling often comes top of the list of ways to go green. However, it’s far from the only way to reduce your footprint on a cruise.

If you’re looking to take a more environmentally-friendly approach and on your next charter, we’ve pulled together some of the most effective but lesser-known ways you can help.

At NW Explorations, we are committed to working towards a more eco-friendly and responsible approach at sea and we’re doing our best to educate our customers who charter boats through us to do the same.

To help you navigate the greenscape at sea, here are our Top 5 Tips to lessen your impact on the environment, protect the wildlife and marine life, and cruise with respect for our surroundings.

1.Buy locally grown produce. Before you cruise, stock up on local produce and when you moor and restock the necessities en route, again, try to look for the local markets. Buying local means no pollution from transporting produce. Check out our blog “Charter Checklist: What to take and what to provision on a bareboat charter vacation” where we talk about the work of our provisioning partners, Galley Girls who provide pre-packed meals for cruising, using fresh Pacific Northwest fare.

2. Moor first, anchor last. Mooring is always the best option if possible. Mooring to mooring balls is much less disruptive for marine life than anchoring. Anchoring can crush smaller species, kill marine plants, ruin areas that provide underwater safe zones for marine life, and disrupt the general nature of the sea bottom.

3. Give cloth a try. Rather than using paper towels and paper napkins, use and reuse cloth towels and napkins. You’ll create less garbage, and it’s less wasteful.

4. Wash carefully. If you’re washing while afloat, ensure you use PH neutral and phosphate-free shampoo to prevent harsh chemicals from ending up in our oceans.

5. Steer clear of marine life. To minimize negative impact from your presence:

• Stay at least 100 yards from whales, porpoises and other marine mammals
• Remain 200 yards from seal or sea lion hangouts.
• If you’re lucky enough to get to travel with whales, always go parallel with their direction (don’t cut across their path or stop in front of them). Propeller scars are common for marine mammals. Do your part by staying back.
• Avoid erratic manoeuvres, and never chase marine life you spot.
• Slow down to less than seven knots when you see a marine mammal or approach a sensitive area.

Of course, go greener by disposing of all recyclables such as glass, aluminium, plastic, newspapers, batteries and oil in the appropriate marked containers on land.

With these tips in mind, your charter cruise can become incredibly clean, and environmentally-friendly and you’ll be ensuring you and future generations to come can continue to enjoy this beautiful part of the world.

Contact NW Explorations to secure a charter today.