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Eco Cruises
Eco-cruising: The benefits of bringing an expert on board
By Risa Merl
If you own or are chartering an explorer yacht this season, it can pay huge
dividends to bring an eco-expert on board and learn while you cruise, says
Risa Merl...
What’s the must-have that should appear on every yacht owner and charterer’s
eco wish list? An expert who will educate everyone on board in how to make
as little impact on the oceans as possible. Working with a true specialist will
not only ensure that your favourite cruising grounds are kept safe, but also
improve your trip tenfold.
Companies such as EYOS Expeditions, whose staff have diverse backgrounds
spanning everything from botany to marine biology, can send experts on
board to work with owners and guests (arranging eco-themed tours to understand
an area better) or will consult with captains and crew on how best to
protect cruising grounds.
EYOS Expeditions can send experts on board to work with owners and guests
It’s recommended for peace of mind, too: those travelling without a sustainability
consultant can easily contravene laws and cause major harm to the
environment. In Antarctica last year, a dog left the yacht it was on and got
a little too close to penguins and seals – a non-native species in a pristine
environment could wipe out an entire penguin colony. EYOS instructs guests
to wash their feet in Virkon disinfectant before getting on and off the boat so
there’s no chance of disease being transported.
“You need to make sure you are not stressing [animals] out or doing anything
in violation of local laws,” says Ben Lyons, EYOS CEO, who recalls an incident
when visitors to the Arctic approached a walrus in a harmful way. “Not
treating these animals with the utmost care could lead to legal action against
guests or crew,” he says. Being respectful and upholding the reputation of the
yachting community also makes it easier for yachts to visit in the future.
THOSE TRAVELLING WITHOUT A SUSTAINABILITY
CONSULTANT CAN EASILY CONTRAVENE LAWS AND
CAUSE MAJOR HARM TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Great care must be taken when cruising in pristine environments
Having good guides on board can make the cruising experience more enriching.
In the Maldives, EYOS partners with a leading manta ray researcher for
diving trips, granting “an extra level of insight and appreciation you’d otherwise
never have”, says Lyons. On board personal visits from climate change
experts can also be arranged, giving guests lectures on how they can make a
difference.
Owing to demand from clients, EYOS is announcing its new Conservation
Initiatives, managed by expedition leader Justin Hofman. The programme
will connect owners with conservation projects in cruising grounds all over
the world.
EYOS partners with conservation experts around the world
Marine biologist and dive instructor Rodolphe Holler, founder of Tahiti Private
Expeditions, goes on board with owners and charterers to run courses on
marine life. When diving, he recommends not to touch anything (dead or
alive), to kill only the fish you are going to eat and not to practise catch and
release because many fish don’t survive the trauma. “A local guide will know
which species shouldn’t be consumed because they are endangered, and which
are safe to eat,” he says. “Coral trout, for example, can have a toxin called ciguatera.
I once visited a boat where the crew had just eaten a bunch and they
all got sick. I missed warning them by about an hour!” MS
Credit: Boat international
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