How to respect the sea when sailing

When boating, respecting the sea means above all leaving no trace and not disturbing the ecosystem . Some good habits: don't throw anything into the sea , especially food, cigarette butts, or biodegradable materials; collect and separate waste on board and take it ashore; avoid polluting products , such as harsh detergents, sunscreens that are harmful to marine organisms, and spilled fuel; anchor carefully , avoiding dropping anchor in seagrass meadows or other sensitive areas; use mooring buoys whenever possible; keep your distance from animals ; don't chase dolphins, turtles, or other animals, or feed them.

Enjoy the sea on a boat, but respect it. And don't waste its beauty. If you're thinking of renting a boat For your summer vacation, before choosing the right vessel, remember (and share it with your cruise companions) four tips we present in this article.

However, there are some rules to follow, first and foremost regarding the disposal of waste accumulated on board. Avoid throwing any scraps from your lunch or day at sea overboard, even organic waste.

Plastic in the ocean takes a long time to degrade . To put this into perspective, a small bottle of water takes 450 years. During this time, plastic releases toxins that are harmful to marine and land creatures that come into contact with it. If you think this is a serious problem, consider that glass takes over 4000 years to degrade!

Therefore, out of respect for the environment, separate your waste on board and dispose of it in the designated bins once you're back on land. Ports usually provide collection areas open to mooring owners. If you've rented a boat, ask the owner or an expert consultant how to dispose of your waste.

During your vacation at sea, you're sure to encounter marine creatures, including fish and mollusks, but also dolphins , turtles , and much more. Especially when sailing, be wary of dolphins, whales, and any other animals that might be attracted by the sounds of your boat. They simply want to play and have fun interacting with you, but the propellers can pose a danger to these animals.

When you encounter these species, remember that it's best to turn off the engine and watch the creatures pass by in complete tranquility without disturbing them. It will be a thrilling experience: imagine a pod of 12 to 200 dolphins playing among the waves and foam left by the boat at sunset. A perfect opportunity to teach the little ones about respecting the environment!

If you find yourself on the shores of Italy's peninsula, with your boat anchored and you're stranded in the middle of a bay, you'll easily spot schools of fish, including saddled bream, white bream, or grey mullet. You might also spot sea urchins and mollusks clinging to the rocks. Feeding these creatures from the boat is not recommended, as it could upset their food chain. Also, avoid removing mollusks and urchins from the rocks. These animals are our hosts in their fragile ecosystem, and it's up to all of us to be respectful of them.

If you sail and don't use the boat's engine, you'll have zero emissions. Obviously, if you decide to rent a motorboat, a dinghy, or a catamaran, you can't avoid using the engine. However, there are a few precautions that will allow you to enjoy your day while being as environmentally friendly as possible.

We recommend sailing for short periods but staying anchored for long days to fully enjoy all the beauty that nature has to offer. Furthermore, by doing so, you'll save on fuel and minimize noise pollution, which disturbs many marine creatures.

If you need to get from one place to another or reach the shore, we recommend swimming or, if you've rented a boat with an electric tender, using it. This will minimize environmental and noise pollution and allow you to reach your destination quickly.