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SailGREEN_M3_ENG_The impact of sailing

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Created on April 24, 2026

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Transcript

The impact of sailing

Module 3

Emissions, energy and sustainable practices

ERASMUS-SPORT-2025 ProjectNr: 101244870 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

About this module

1.Estimated time : 2.5-4 hours self paced

2. 60-90 minutes instructor debrief (optional)

3. Target Group : Youth (15-20 years)

4. Target Group 2: Sailing Coaches/Trainers

Note: Images used in this material come from the Genially platform and from the website https://unsplash.com (credits are mentioned under the pictures) they were also provided by project partners: Zemun Sailing Club and Sandra Agius Darmanin from Vikings Sailing Club

Why This Module Matters

Sailing depends on clean water, healthy marine ecosystems and responsible use of natural resources. Yet training and events can create impacts through travel, support boats, energy use, equipment, antifouling and waste. This module helps learners identify these “hotspots” and make low-emission, energy-smart and eco-friendly choices that support more sustainable sailing practices. (World Sailing sustainability resources support this direction.)

Objective of this module

  • Understand the main environmental impacts of sailing activities, including emissions from travel, support boats, shore power, waste, equipment production, and antifouling practices.
  • Learn practical ways to reduce energy use and emissions in sailing operations through smarter travel, efficient boat use, cleaner support fleets, and sustainable event management.
  • Apply eco-friendly sailing techniques such as spill prevention, reusable systems, safer antifouling methods, waste reduction, and sustainable maintenance practices.
  • Develop the ability to design and evaluate low-impact sailing training sessions or regattas using sustainability checklists, responsible planning, and recognised best-practice frameworks.

By the end of this module, you will be able to

Evaluate practical actions to reduce emissions and energy use in sailing operations, including on-water activities, shore-based facilities and travel or logistics.

Analyse the main sources of sailing’s environmental footprint across training and events, including energy use, emissions, materials, equipment and pollution pathways.

🧭

🌱

Apply sustainable techniques and eco-friendly alternatives to realistic sailing scenarios, including equipment choices, antifouling best practices, waste prevention and spill prevention.

Design and justify a low-impact dinghy training session or regatta plan using an action checklist aligned with recognised sustainability good-practice frameworks.

🌊

Sailing’s Footprint: Where Impacts Come From—and What We Can Change

This video introduces teachers and trainers to World Sailing’s sustainability direction and shows how sailing education can support more responsible environmental behaviour. It can be used to frame discussions with learners on emissions, resource use, event practices, and the role of sailing clubs in promoting long-term sustainable change.

Video: Sustainability Agenda 2030 Forum | World Sailing Annual Conference

Small repeated actions—done by many sailors—create big change.”

Environmental footprint of sailing

where emissions and impacts come from

World Sailing Sustainability Sessions

Expert discussion highlighting decarbonisation priorities and practical actions within sailing operations.

If the link no longer works, search for:

  • Eco-Yachting Crew Talks Implementing
  • Sustainable Yachting Sustainable
  • yachting sailing

Even clean sport has a footprint

Let's find out where sailing's impact really comes from and what we can do about it

The Surprise

Sailing runs on wind. So why does it have a footprint?

Support boats (fuel)

Shore power

Travel to venues

Maintenance products (antifouling)

Equipment production

Waste

Where Emissions Happen

  • Biggest impact → Travel to venue
  • Medium → Support boats + Shore Power
  • Lower → Waste + Maintenance Products

What Can We Control?

Personal - your own choices Your Club - policies and facilities Event organiser - regatta decisions

Low Impact Actions Toolkit

Footprint Hotspots Map

Training Day vs Regatta Day

Spill kit on support boat

Coach Checklist

Refill bottles for all sailors

Engine off when stationary

Before You Launch Coach Checklist

Waste bag on board

Brief sailors on leave no trace

Summary

  • In sailing, the greatest environmental impact often comes from travel rather than from sailing itself
  • Fuel use by support boats is one of the most manageable on-water impacts
  • Small actions at individual, club and event level can make a meaningful difference
  • Sailors, coaches and organisers all have a part to play in making sailing more sustainable

Interactive Question

Drag items based on impact

Who controls these actions?

Interactive Question

Interactive Question

Picure by Lazarescu Alexandra on Unsplash

Interactive Question

Interactive Question

Energy use and emissions

boats, support fleets, and shore facilities

Support fleet decarbonisation & operations

How on-water operations and logistics choices can cut emissions.

Introduction

This unit focuses on where energy is used: coach boats/RIBs*, club buildings and travel/logistics. It introduces practical efficiency steps, including better planning, speed management, idling reduction, electric or hybrid support fleets where feasible and shore-side energy measures.

*Rigid Inflatable Boat

Coach Boats & RIBs

The Support Fleet Burns More Than You Think

+ info

A RIB engine idling for 30 mins burns as much fuel as 10 mins at displacement speed.

RIBs sind Schlauchboote mit festem Rumpf (Rigid Inflatable Boats)

Speed Management

Speed is the Enemy of Efficiency

Practical Efficiency Steps (On Water)

📍 Plan your training area before launching — less repositioning ⏱️ Set a session schedule — don't run engines between drills 🔑 Engine off when stationary for more than 2 minutes 🐢 Travel to training area at displacement speed 🗺️ Group boats together — one RIB covers more sailor

Electric & Hybrid Fleets

  • Electric outboards are becoming a practical option for some RIBs and short training sessions
  • Hybrid systems can cut fuel use without a full infrastructure change
  • Solar-powered shore charging can make support operations much cleaner
  • For sailors and trainers, cleaner support fleets are an important step toward sustainable sailing

Travel & Logistics

  • Travel to regattas = often the biggest single emission of the day
  • Carpooling cuts per-person emissions significantly
  • Train travel for national events where possible
  • Consolidate equipment transport -> fewer trips
  • Choose venues closer to home when selection allows

The Green Blue: Sustainable Boating Event Toolkit

  • Reduce waste before the event starts — plan what you need
  • Brief all participants on fuel, waste and pollution procedures
  • Set up shore-side recycling and refill stations
  • Choose suppliers with sustainability credentials
  • Conduct a post-event review of energy and waste

Fuel simulator

Choice the right option to save fuel

Planning speed

Displacement

⏱️ Planing Speed Your boat rises up and skims the surface — fast and thrilling! But that burst of power comes at a cost. − 2 Fuel Points 🔴 Planing burns up to 3x more fuel than displacement speed.

-2

🐢 Displacement Speed Slow and steady wins the fuel race. Your hull moves through the water efficiently. + 2 Fuel Points 🟢 Displacement mode uses far less fuel per mile.

+2

Fuel simulator

Choice the right option to save fuel

Idling

Engine Off

🔑 Engine Left Idling You're burning fuel... and going nowhere. − 1 Fuel Point 🔴 An idling engine wastes fuel constantly with zero useful output.

-1

✅ Engine Off Smart move! No movement needed = no fuel burned. + 1 Fuel Point 🟢 Cutting the engine when stopped is one of the easiest fuel-saving habits.

+1

Fuel simulator

Choice the right option to save fuel

Beat the Clock

Cover Distance

⏱️ Racing Against Time Full throttle! You'll get there fast... but your tank won't thank you. − 2 Fuel Points 🔴 Speed and fuel efficiency are always in conflict.

-2

📏 Maximising Distance You pace yourself and go further on the same tank. + 2 Fuel Points 🟢 Slowing down can cut fuel use by 50% or more.

+2

Final Results Page

Sustainable sailing techniques and eco-friendly alternatives

Clean Regattas / Clean Classes overview

A recognised framework for reducing waste and improving sustainability practices across sailing events and classes.

If the link no longer works, search for:

  • The Ripple Effect
  • Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas
  • reduce environmental impact sailing regattas

What This Unit Covers

Moving from understanding impacts to taking action Focus on:

  • Low-impact behaviours
  • Materials & maintenance choices
  • Pollution prevention
  • Sustainable event/class practices

Oil & Fuel: The Basics

  • Just 1 litre of oil can pollute up to 1 million litres of water
  • Most spills happen during refuelling — slow filling prevents them
  • An absorbent fuel collar around the filler prevents overflow entering the water
  • Spill kits must be on every support boat — and everyone must know how to use them

Antifouling Best Practice

Waste Prevention & Reusables

  • Refuse - say no to single-use plastics before they arrive
  • Reuse - refill bottles, reusable containers, kit bags
  • Recycle - only when refuse and reuse aren't possible
At events: Refill water stations instead of bottled water Compostable or reusable food packaging from vendors Clearly labelled sorting bins at all waste points

Key Practice Areas

Waste prevention & reusables

Spill prevention & fuel handling

Antifouling best practices

Sustainable class/event actions

Key Practice Areas

Spill Prevention

Waste Prevention

Antifouling Best Practice

  • Always use proper containers
  • Avoid overfilling
  • Keep absorbent materials nearby
  • Never leave fueling unattended
  • Choose less toxic products
  • Apply correctly to avoid runoff
  • Maintain regularly for efficiency
  • Avoid single-use items
  • Use refillable containers
  • Repair instead of replace
  • Plan to reduce excess materials

Photo by Erin Mabee on Unsplash

Photo by Qim Manifester on Unsplash

Photo by Dmitrijs Safrans on Unsplash

Key Practice Areas

Sustainable Class/Event Actions

Make It Routine

  • Build habits into daily tasks
  • Assign responsibility
  • Use checklists
  • Review and improve regularly
  • Clear signage for sorting waste
  • Provide refill stations
  • Encourage reusable items

Summary

  • Small actions → big impact
  • Prevention is better than cleanup
  • Consistency is key
  • Everyone plays a role

Bottles

Spill Preparedness

Antifoul Disposal

Travel

Cleaning

Regatta Checklist Builder

Read through the actions below — note down the 10 you would include in a real regatta sustainability plan. MORE ON NEXT PAGE!

Provide refill water stations instead of single-use bottles

Use electric or low-emission committee boats where possible

Set up clearly labelled recycling and compost stations

Offer a shoreside fuel spill kit and train staff to use it

Ask vendors to use compostable or reusable packaging

Partner with a local marine conservation group

Brief all participants on the Leave No Trace policy

Conduct a post-event beach or marina clean-up

Regatta Checklist Builder

Read through the actions below — note down the 10 you would include in a real regatta sustainability plan. MORE ON PREVIOUS PAGE!

Encourage carpooling or group transport for participants

Track and publish the event's environmental impact report

Offset event carbon emissions through a verified scheme

Eliminate single-use plastics from the prize-giving ceremony

Use digital-only communications — no printed race packs

Schedule engine-off quiet hours in the marina

Award a sustainability prize alongside racing prizes

Oil & Fuel Quiz — The Green Blue

Photo by olaniyan oluwapelumi on Unsplash

Oil & Fuel Quiz — The Green Blue

Photo by Daniel Olah on Unsplash

Oil & Fuel Quiz — The Green Blue

Photo by Zamirul Roslan on Unsplash

Oil & Fuel Quiz — The Green Blue

Photo by Markus McKay on Unsplash

Oil & Fuel Quiz — The Green Blue

Conclusion

Sailing may rely on wind, but the activities surrounding it — travel, support boats, energy use, waste, and maintenance — still create environmental impacts. Understanding where these impacts come from helps sailors, coaches, clubs, and event organisers make smarter and more sustainable decisions.

By applying responsible practices on and off the water, everyone involved in sailing can contribute to cleaner waters, lower emissions, and a stronger culture of environmental responsibility.

Small actions such as reducing fuel use, choosing reusable products, preventing spills, and planning efficient events can significantly reduce emissions and pollution over time. Sustainable sailing is not only about protecting the sea today, but also about preserving healthy marine ecosystems for future generations.

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”— Robert Swan

GLOSSARY

Shore Power: Electricity supplied from land to boats while docked, reducing the need to run onboard engines or generators.

Antifouling: Protective coating applied to boat hulls to prevent algae, barnacles, and marine growth from attaching underwater.

Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by an activity, event, person, or organisation.

GLOSSARY

Spill Kit: Emergency equipment used to contain and clean fuel or oil spills before they spread into the marine environment.

Displacement Speed: A fuel-efficient boating mode where the hull moves through the water rather than skimming across the surface.

Support Fleet: Motorboats or RIBs used by coaches, safety teams, or event organisers to assist sailors during training and regattas.

Further resources

Sailors for the Sea – Clean Regattas https://www.sailorsforthesea.org/programs/clean-regattas Framework and certification program for organizing environmentally responsible sailing events and regattas.

World Sailing Sustainability https://www.sailing.org/sustainability/ Official sustainability guidance, toolkits, and environmental initiatives for sailing clubs and events.

The Green Blue https://thegreenblue.org.uk/ Practical resources on clean boating, waste reduction, antifouling, and sustainable sailing practices.

Thank you!

ERASMUS-SPORT-2025Project-Nr: 101244870

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be help responsible for them.

Shore power means electricity supplied from land to a boat while it is docked in a marina or harbour.Instead of running the boat’s engine or generator to power lights, batteries, refrigeration, chargers, or other equipment, the boat plugs into an electrical outlet on shore. This can reduce fuel use, noise, and local air pollution, especially when the shore electricity comes from renewable or low-carbon sources.

Excellent job!

You have placed all the concepts in the correct drawer. You clearly distinguish between good and bad study techniques, a key skill for learning more effectively.

  • You know how to identify strategies that improve memory, understanding, and performance.
  • You also recognize habits that hinder learning and should be avoided.
  • You are building a solid foundation to study smarter, not harder.

What does this mean?

Maintenance products, including antifouling, are used to clean, protect, repair, or treat boats and equipment.Antifouling is a coating applied to the hull to prevent algae and barnacles. Some products can release harmful chemicals, so safer choices include less-toxic paints, careful application, spill prevention and keeping sanding dust out of the water.

You're almost there!

Some concepts are not in the correct drawer…but you're very close! Remembering which techniques help and which don't is part of learning, so making mistakes also counts as progress. Try again!

Idling means the boat engine is running while the boat is not really moving, or only moving very slowly. For example, a support boat waiting with the engine on during training is idling. It still uses fuel, creates emissions and makes noise. Switching off the engine when safe can save energy and reduce impact.

Key points

  • RIBs are the biggest on-water energy cost
  • Most fuel is burned during idling and high-speed repositioning
  • Planning routes and sessions in advance cuts run time significantly
  • Electric and hybrid support boats are a growing, feasible option

The transport needed to reach training sessions, sailing clubs, competitions, or regattas. It can create a large part of sailing’s environmental footprint through car trips, flights, trailers, and equipment transport. Lower-impact choices include car sharing, public transport, fewer trips, local events and efficient planning of boats and gear.

Displacement speed means the boat moves through the water instead of lifting up and skimming across the surface. The boat stays lower in the water and is usually slower, but it uses much less energy and fuel than planing speed.

You're almost there!

Some concepts are not in the correct drawer…but you're very close! Remembering which techniques help and which don't is part of learning, so making mistakes also counts as progress. Try again!

Excellent job!

You have placed all the concepts in the correct drawer. You clearly distinguish between good and bad study techniques, a key skill for learning more effectively.

  • You know how to identify strategies that improve memory, understanding, and performance.
  • You also recognize habits that hinder learning and should be avoided.
  • You are building a solid foundation to study smarter, not harder.

What does this mean?