Sustainability
Sustainable Sailing
Sailing with a Purpose – Protecting Our Oceans Together.
Join us at Second Star Sailing in promoting eco-friendly sailing and protecting our oceans. Through sustainable practices and partnerships, we aim to make a positive impact on the marine environment.
Here Are 6 Ways We Practice Eco-Friendly Sailing
We minimize environmental impact by following these practices on every course or charter:
1. Avoid Single-Use Plastics
We minimize plastic waste by using reusable water bottles, reusable food containers, and cloth shopping bags instead of disposable plastics. We encourage avoidance of any single-use dishes and cutlery on board and at the school. This helps reduce the amount of plastic that could end up in the ocean.
2. Smart Provisioning
We carefully plan our provisioning to reduce food waste and packaging. During the courses, we plan the meals and make a provisioning list, to avoid food waste. For example, we prefer to buy fresh, local produce from small suppliers, which not only cuts down on packaging but also supports local economies. Any left-over non-perishable food items after the course are properly stored and made available for the next course.
3. Proper Waste Disposal
We follow strict waste management protocols onboard by separating plastic and tin cans to recycle at designated facilities onshore. No waste is ever thrown overboard. Throwing overboard any food peelingss, food leftovers, or papers is strictly forbidden.
4. Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies
We clean the boat using non-toxic, biodegradable products like vinegar-based solutions and eco-friendly detergents. We use eco-friendly soap, dishwashing products, as well as non-toxic reef-safe sunscreens onboard. This prevents harmful chemicals from entering the water so protecting the marine ecosystems.
5. Water Conservation Tips
To conserve fresh water, we use low-flow faucets and encourage our students to turn off the water while soaping up or doing the dishes onboard. These small actions save gallons of water per person each day. We ensure our water tanks are filled with double-filtered water, safe for drinking and cooking, eliminating the need for bottled water.
6. Responsible Anchoring
When anchoring, we use mooring buoys whenever possible, especially in marine-protected areas in Antigua. When mooring buoys are not available, we anchor at well visible sand patches. This helps prevent damage to delicate ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrass beds.
Sustainable Collaborations
Upcycling Projects – Blue Ring Bags
At Second Star Sailing, we are passionate about preserving the oceans we sail on. We partnered with Blue Ring Bags, a sustainable brand that gives old sails a second life. Through this collaboration, we’re turning retired sails into beautifully crafted bags.
Protecting the Seas with CaribbeanSol
In partnership with CaribbeanSol, we provide reef-safe sunscreen to protect your skin and marine life. In 2024 we made a decision to ban the use of any non-reef friendly sunscreens on our courses. We encourage our students to pay attention to the ingredients of their sunscreen and make a choice towards eco-friendly products with high levels of protection. Every boat has a bottle of “HawaiianSol” mineral sunscreens to use, and a range of CaribbeanSol sunscreens are available for purchase at our office.
All HawaiianSol sunscreens contain:
- Natural / Biodegradable Formula
- Broad Spectrum Protection
- Non-nano Zinc Oxide
- No Oxybenzone / Octinoxate
- All Reef & Marine Friendly ingredients
Elkhorn Marine Conservancy
We are joining forces with marine researchers, reef restorers, and divers to educate about Antigua’s diverse marine life, how to protect and restore it.
- Each sailing course will include discussions on local waters, sustainable fishing, and sailing practices, with a focus on coral reef conservation and our impact on the environment.
- In 2025, we plan to conduct a detailed seabed survey of Cades Reef and map the safest anchorages in this popular snorkelling area. The results will be available online and on popular boating navigation apps.
- In collaboration with “Splashing with Clashing,” we are providing adult swimming lessons on the West Coast of Antigua, promoting water safety and encouraging more people to pursue careers on the water.
Our staff are also volunteering with the Elkhorn Marine Conservancy to support their coral restoration efforts by helping maintain coral nurseries near Green Island and York Island.