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If you are in the marine business, enjoy boating or are a watersports enthusiast, the Green Blue has practical advice and information to help you think and act in an environmentally conscious way. Inland or coastal, individual or boating business, there is something here for you.
By taking a few simple steps, you can keep future costs down and sustain high quality water and local environments. Backed by the British Marine Federation and the Royal Yachting Association, The Green Blue is testing out practical projects, conducting research and providing advice, to help recreational boating go green.
One of Brunel’s great engineering triumphs, S.S Great Britain in Bristol, will set the scene for this year’s The Green Blue Annual Conference being held on Tuesday 4th November.
Now in its second year, the conference has steadily gained momentum and provides the marine industry a great platform to discuss environmental issues and learn how best to go about being more environmentally friendly in their particular organisation.
The Green Blue’s Project Manager Sarah Black explains; “The Green Blue is designed to help all boaters and marine businesses get access to relevant environmental information. The success of the conference last year told us that this is a really good way of getting information out in a way which is useful.
This year the conference also involves a workshop element, Sarah continues; “We are looking forward to some robust discussions in our workshops. They are a chance for the delegates to ask any questions they want in a friendly atmosphere – last year the discussions kept coming back to recycling – as a result, this year we are delighted to be joined by our new Recycling Officer Dan Reading”
As well as the opportunity to discuss environmental issues which matter to you and your organisation, The Green Blue team will also be showcasing their new Environmental Self Assessment Toolkit. By answering a set of questions online the toolkit assesses environmental practices and offers advice on how to make sure you are operating within the law.
To book a place on the conference or to find out more information about it contact the Green Blue team at info@thegreenblue.org.uk or call 02380 604227.
View the draft itinerary here
Download the booking form here
Help us spread the word; dowload a poster here
On Saturday 13th September The Green Blue was joined by one of its greatest ambassadors Mike Golding OBE, for an up-close and personal chat in; ‘An audience with Mike Golding’.
One of the great round the world sailors of our generation, Mike was joined by Sarah Black, Project Manager for The Green Blue to talk frankly about his preparations for the upcoming Vendee Globe yacht race, as well as giving his views on environmental issues.
To a packed house in the Sailing Networks Bar, Mike gave listeners an insight in to what goes on behind the scenes in preparation for the race. He outlined the technological advances that keep him one step ahead of the competition, including the advances in energy saving technology which helps him to reduce weight onboard. He also talked about the differences that have been made between Ecover2 and the new improved Ecover3, to what keeps the passion alive for him to keep coming back for more.
Sarah Black said: “Mike is a fantastic ambassador for the Green Blue, with a passion not only for the sailing but for the environment in which he sails. By staying at the cutting edge of developments in technology and energy saving techniques, many of the innovations implemented now by Mike and the team will inevitably filter down to the day to day sailor. For example, without Formula One sailors like Mike we wouldn’t have seen LED lights available for boats or such great advances in battery charging technology which minimises the need for fuel.”
Dee Caffari joined The Green Blue team and the Environment Agency to present the first ever ‘Award for Environmental Improvement’ to Dean & Reddyhoff on the opening day of the PSP Southampton Boat Show.
The award was presented to Dean & Reddyhoff’s James Beaver who has been successfully piloting The Green Blue’s new recycling programme at Haslar Marina.
James explained “We wanted to be more environmentally aware and working with The Green Blue we have been able to implement greener practices to meet customer demands for greener boating as well as making significant financial savings – a great combination.”
The Green Blue having been working closely with marine businesses to test environmental theories to see not only that they work but also their economic and environmental viability. “Dean and Readyhoff have always been at the forefront of change, so were a natural choice to receive this new award”, commented Sarah Black, The Green Blue Project Manager.
Dee Caffari, The Green Blue ambassador, joined the team to present the award, a unique sculpture made from drift wood and reclaimed timber by Paul Nicholas. Dee said; “Awards like this are important to encourage others and award and recognise the hard work already being done by marinas.
This award marks Dean and Readyhoff as leaders in their peer group and encourages others to follow suit. It’s a bold step to pioneer something new which could be a risk but Dean and Readyhoff have been prepared to take the risks and it really is paying off.”
Thanks to funding from the Environment Agency, Crown Estates and The Green Blues parent organisations, the RYA and BMF, a full time Recycling Officer, Dan Reading, has joined The Green Blue team to promote and spread the word throughout the boating community.
For more information contact Dan Reading on dan.reading@thegreenblue.org.uk
