Figawi Race Earns Gold Clean Regattas Certification - Sailors for the Sea

Figawi Race Earns Gold Clean Regattas Certification

Press Release

40th Annual Figawi Race Weekend Earns Gold Clean Regattas Certification. Growing list of regattas supporting ocean conservation and protection as spring and summer regatta season draws record number of regattas committing to Clean Regattas certification.

 

Newport, Rhode Island- June 1, 2011 – Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation nonprofit focused on the sailing and boating community, recognizes the 40 Annual Figawi Race Week (May 28-30, 2011) with gold level Clean Regattas certification. With an active 2011 regatta season on the horizon, Sailors for the Sea welcomes the more than 40 regattas in the United States and Caribbean that have taken the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta Pledge for Clean Regattas certification.

Clean Regattas certification provides independent, third-party verification that a yacht club, sailing program, or regatta is environmentally responsible, and is doing its utmost to protect the waters upon which people sail.

Figawi – Model Clean Regatta and First Gold Level Certification Recipient 
The 40th Annual Figawi Race Weekend, nationally and internationally recognized as a top sailing event on the east coast, kicks off the Cape Cod and Nantucket summer season. Entries included sailors from several states, with over 240 boats (including 30 powerboats), and 3,000+ sailors, visitors and locals in attendance.

“Figawi has a history of taking good care of their hosts’ beaches and waters, and we are proud to have them officially on board with Clean Regattas this year,” said Chris Mancini, program manager, Sailors for the Sea. “Participants and visitors were greeted by the active Green Team and presence of recycling and water refill stations around the parties and docks. We hope this year’s commitment to Clean Regattas is the start of a great tradition with Figawi and inspires many more regattas like it to register and take the Clean Regattas pledge.”

With three levels of certification available, Figawi race organizers pledged their commitment to the Clean Regattas program and took extraordinary steps to fulfill the gold level requirements for certification. Organizers first formed a Clean Regattas committee for the event that was responsible for overseeing the certification criteria related to:

  • trash and recycling collection and disposal
  • discharge
  • oil spill prevention
  • green cleaning products and bottom paint usage
  • bottom cleaning and boat maintenance
  • global warming and carbon offsets
  • biofuel conversion
  • use of recycled materials in regatta awards

Specific efforts included:

  • Provisioning all racers with a clear recycling bag to use on board
  • Setting up water refill stations around Nantucket
  • Providing dye tablets and pumpout stations on Nantucket
  • Recruiting a green team to help with on-island trash pickup and recycling

Figawi participants were asked to support the effort by:

  • Separating recycling while on board and on-island. Keep all plastics from entering the water, and placing them in the proper bins when they reach Nantucket or Hyannis
  • Refilling water at the refilling stations as a way to reduce the use of disposable plastics
  • Pumping out holding tanks at designated stations or pumpout boats
  • Helping the green team by placing all trash and recycling in the proper bins
  • At the parties, reusing cups as much as possible and recycling them when finished

Participants were eligible for a discounted membership to Sailors for the Sea, which includes discounts on Atlantis WeatherGear and ePaint, and a monthly newsletter containing news and resources on sustainable sailing and best practices. 

Clean Regattas Program Grows
Since its inception in 2006, the Clean Regattas program has grown from five to over 65 annual events with many of the well-known regattas throughout the United States pledging their support to protect the health of oceans and local waters and improving their environmental practices. The increased awareness of the dangers to ocean health, consumers’ growing interest in protecting natural resources, and the results of Sailors for the Sea’s educational efforts undertaken over the past year, the total number of regattas committing to the Clean Regattas program in 2011 is expected to surpass last year’s numbers.

By the end of the year, Sailors for the Sea expects to have certified 100 regattas as Clean Regattas. As of May 30, 2011, the list of pledges to 2011 Clean Regatta program currently includes:

Benefits of Clean Regattas – Make the Pledge
By making the Clean Regattas Pledge, regattas, yacht clubs, and sailing programs commit to protecting clean waters and shores by participating in Sailors for the Sea’s Clean Regattas program, a third-party certification program that helps participants achieve higher environmental standards. Participants vow to fulfill, and encourage others to fulfill, the goals and requirements of Clean Regattas as set forth by Sailors for the Sea, and to work to protect waters for the use and enjoyment of this and future generations. A Clean Regattas designation by the Sailors for the Sea organization means all competitors agree to abide by Clean Regattas Certification Level requirements. Sailors for the Sea provides support and materials, and the final certification that a club or event is a Clean Regatta.

The Clean Regattas program is available for all interested yacht clubs, regattas and sailing programs, and is found worldwide. By participating in the program, clubs and regattas can realize a range of immediate economic benefits including:

  • saving money by reducing reliance on plastic bottles, fossil fuels, and disposable products
  • getting discounts on environmentally friendly products through the Clean Regattas program
  • reducing excess spending by anticipating regulations and avoiding abrupt and costly changes due to new laws and related cleanup efforts
  • attracting new sponsors, donors, investors, and foundations for non-profit clubs through the positive awareness of the Clean Regattas efforts

About Sailors for the Sea 
Founded in 2004, Sailors for the Sea is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers the boating community to protect oceans and local waters. For more information on or to participate in any of the Sailors for the Sea programs, or to become a member and support the organization, visit www.sailorsforthesea.org.

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Media Contact

Jennifer Brett
Communications Manager, Sailors for the Sea
jbrett@oceana.org
Sailors for the Sea
449 Thames Street, 300D
Newport, RI 02840

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