Green theme for Bermuda Race

With entries closed for the 2024 Newport Bermuda Race, 171 boats have signed up to participate. The Official Program for the 53rd edition is available with articles and information regarding the 636nm race which starts on June 21.

Held biennially, the 2022 race was first to urge captains to designate an “environmental steward” aboard each participating boat. The response had 50 e-stewards stepping up to the challenge, steering their crews towards conscientious planning and provisioning, mindful of ocean health. For some of their best practices and ideas, click here.

Chan Reis, the Environmental Stewardship chair for the BROC, underscores the significance of this initiative (click here), emphasizing the vital connection between sailors and the ocean playground they traverse. “Adding an e-steward to your crew is one way we can focus attention on that imperative,” Reis affirms.

So far in 2024, 30 boats that had already appointed an e-steward. Here is some feedback on what they are doing to bring sustainability practices into their preparations:

• Dave Johnson, Safir, highlights the transformative power of collective action. “The crew had not considered me as the type of person who necessarily focused on ‘green’ causes or sustainability, but I convinced them there were real actions we could all take to make a difference,” he shares.

• Karen Harris, Assarain IV, echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of every choice made onboard. “Every item on board is a choice,” she asserts, emphasizing the importance of selecting eco-friendly alternatives, from compostable garbage bags to reusable utensils.

• Tori Gimple, Banter, champions innovative solutions, noting the game-changing impact of initiatives like stackable water containers.

• David Bice, Raven, says his owner, Gary Hooper has installed new energy efficient batteries to reduce running the engine.

• Paul Cunningham, Gunga Jin, says they are using marine-life friendly antifouling paint Pettit Odyssey Triton chosen for minimum impact to the environment.

• Jeff LoSapio Skadi, says they have eliminated non-reusable plates, cups, and utensils. “Everybody gets one plastic plate and cup, and several years ago, we evaluated 8 different options to find the perfect spork. The crew loves their sporks!”

• Andrew Baris Dire Wolf, outfitted 5-gallon jugs outfitted with a pump for refill of personal reusable water bottles.

To learn more about the resources and initiatives: bermudarace.com/sustainability

Race details – Entry list – Facebook