THE GREEN BLUE AT 20
Kate Fortnam (left) and team hold an advanced mooring system, which protects the seabed.
awareness campaigns and running events and workshops. There’s a huge appetite for information, and we’re proud to be such a trusted resource.’ The Green Blue launched in 2005
at the Southampton Boat Show, as a partnership between the RYA and British Marine. ‘While the RYA had long provided sustainability support for its members, there was a growing need for a more structured approach,’ recalls Kate. ‘The RYA was aware of the increasing need to support the boating community and sector as they realised the need for more sustainable choices. The government was also exploring ways to work more closely with the RYA to inform the boating community and we wanted to support them.’ Instead, the RYA and British
Marine proposed an alternative: to educate the boating community to voluntarily and responsibly ensure that nature and boaters can enjoy our waters together. Today, the programme is wholly run and funded by the RYA.
Supporting boaters ‘Our role is to provide the boating community with clear evidence-based guidance and resources, based on input from various organisations and experts,’ says Kate. ‘We share this with the boating community to inform
and empower them to make more sustainable choices.’ The RYA Green Blue supports boaters of all types, whether sailors, motor-cruisers or windsurfers – and its resources take multiple forms. Its website features information on everything from responsible anchoring and preventing water pollution, to improving engines’ energy efficiency. Some resources are tailored to individuals, while others are for clubs – such as tips on running sustainable events, or advice on recycling old sailcloth. ‘There are videos for clubs and their members, toolkits for marine businesses, advice on writing
environmental policies – you name it. There’s also a directory
of sustainable products
and services, and an Environmental Facilities Map that includes pump- out stations,’ says Kate. It’s all free, impartial and researched. The programme is also active in
several national campaigns, covering topics such as the responsible use of antifoul paints, preventing the spread of non-native species and wildlife awareness on the water. It also contributed to the Clean Marina Programme, an accreditation for
Above: Mike Golding shows his commitment to cleaner waters by signing the RYA Green Blue pledge. Below: The RYA Green Blue helps to promote the government’s Check, Clean, Dry campaign, aiming to stop invasive species from spreading.
eco-engaged marinas, as well as working directly with marinas. ‘The Green Blue has been instrumental in improving our sustainability,’ says Ben Lippiett, general manager of Haslar and Deacons Marinas. ‘From giving us practical advice on refill stations, to informing us of our legal obligations, its support is far-reaching. Without it, there wouldn’t be a coordinated environmental effort in the marine leisure sector – we need that central voice.’ The programme also works
directly with ‘ambassadors’: boaters already taking eco-conscious actions, who it showcases in campaigns. One participant is sailor Mike Golding OBE, Round The World race winner and global record breaker, who joined RYA Green Blue as a key ambassador in 2009, along with Dee Caffari. ‘The RYA has always championed
education over legislation, and this has been instrumental to the success of RYA Green Blue,’ says Mike. ‘It has thrived because the boating community was already open to change. Like most sailors, I recognise the importance of safeguarding our oceans, and The Green Blue makes it easier for us to adopt sustainable practices while enjoying the water.’ In 2021, Mike became a patron,
in honour of his contribution to responsible boating. But you don’t
“The Green Blue has been key to us improving our sustainability”
rya.org.uk AUTUMN 2025 33
Photo: Grafham Water Sailing Club
Photo: Grafham Water Sailing Club
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