The Green Blue launches new website and resources for the boating community

The Green Blue, the joint environmental awareness programme of British Marine and the Royal Yachting Association will launch its new-look website at the 2019 Southampton International Boat Show, powered by Borrow A Boat – the event that first introduced the awareness-raising venture in 2005.

As well as showcasing the new-look site, the launch event, taking place at 10:30 on Wednesday 18 September on the Foredeck Stage, will celebrate a successful era of inspiring the UK’s recreational boating community to help safeguard our waters, wildlife and habitats.

Kate Fortnam, Campaign Manager of The Green Blue, said: “The new site will provide bespoke information on key environmental issues, current best practice guidance, green products and services, as well as an array of awareness raising resources to help boat users, marine businesses, clubs, training centres and instructors in communicating the good practice we can all adopt and facilitate to make our boating more sustainable.”

The key environmental issues and good practice tips that can be explored on the new look website, include:

• sustainable practice in boating, including ways to cut emissions, the use of solar and wind energy, recycling and the avoidance of single use plastics;
• Invasive non-native species (INNS) – one of the current top five threats to UK biodiversity. Non-native species can hitch a ride on boats, clothing and equipment and make a home in the UK’s waterways, causing harm to native animals and plants and damaging the environment and economy.
• Water and land pollution and the good practice around applying, removing and disposing of antifoul paint.
• Wildlife and habitat appreciation with guidance on how to minimise disturbance to wildlife.

“One of the most popular resources on the site is the Marine CSI challenge. The challenge gives families the chance to become marine special agents, solving four environmental incidents using fingerprint analysis, puzzles and water sample testing”, commented Kate.

The activity raises awareness of boating good practice regarding oil and fuel use and marine litter prevention, as well as promoting wildlife appreciation and the use of eco-friendly products to avoid water pollution.

Other resources include instructor teaching aids to help pass on environmental good practice to students on RYA courses, and a variety of infographics and video clips to help marinas, harbours, boatyards and other marine businesses communicate sustainable boating top tips to customers, visitors and members via social media, e- newsletters, emails, news articles and display screens.

The Green Blue also provides outreach activities to help the recreational boating community raise awareness and share good practice among others. Activities include workshops at RYA, British Marine and stakeholder conferences, presentations at the RYA Dinghy Show and Southampton Boat Show, talks to boating clubs, businesses and organisations, training for RYA instructors and interactive activities and stands for boating events. 

“By working towards an environmentally self-regulating boating community, The Green Blue aims to help boaters minimise the impact they have on the environment and protect wildlife and its habitats so they can enjoy the marine environment far into the future”, Kate added.

Visit the new Green Blue website at www.thegreenblue.org.uk and access activities, explore collaborative opportunities, discover current good practice and a variety of helpful resources.

The Green Blue at the Southampton Boat Show

As well as launching the new site at the show, Kate will also be speaking on the Foredeck Stage throughout the week where she will be providing top tips to help protect our waters and the wildlife we share them with. Find out more about boating around wildlife, recycling, cleaning onboard, antifouling and disposing and invasive species prevention.

Talks schedule:

Sat 14th – 11:00 to 11:30 – Foredeck Stage

Sun 15th – 11:00 to 11:30 – Foredeck Stage

Mon 16th – 14:30 to 15:00 – Marlow Ropes Stand (J300)

Sat 21st – 11:00 to 11:30 – Foredeck Stage

Pay a visit to the RYA Stand (BO27) to check out the new look website and chat to Kate and the team about all things ‘Green boating’ and how to green your club. You’ll also find The Green Blue in the main entrance marquee, displaying information and videos, there will be an i-pad to try out the new website and get answers to any questions you might have.

You can also follow @thegreenblue on social media, email info@thegreenblue.org.uk or contact Kate Fortnam on 023 8060 4227.