The Hyannis Yacht Club Joins Forces with Sailors for the Sea - Sailors for the Sea

The Hyannis Yacht Club Joins Forces with Sailors for the Sea

Press Release

Seeks To Increase Clean Regattas Certification for the Hyannis Yacht Club Regatta and Commits to Ocean Conservation. Regatta organizers put in place policies and procedures to make the Hyannis Yacht Club Regatta a model regatta for ocean conservation and protection

Newport, Rhode Island and Hyannis, MA – May 15, 2013 – Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation nonprofit focused on the sailing and boating community, is proud to announce the Hyannis Yacht Club, Hyannis, Mass. has taken the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas Pledge for Silver level Clean Regattas certification of the Hyannis Yacht Club Regatta (HYC Regatta).

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 and restore the waters upon which people sail. This program is an effort by Sailors for the Sea, in conjunction with committed participants, to reduce our impact on our oceans and coastal waters.

The HYC Regatta is committed to serving as a model for responsible sailing,” said Annie Brett, program lead, Sailors for the Sea. “We are thrilled to support the Hyannis Yacht Club throughout HYC Regatta in their efforts to educate participants on environmental protection. Working with the club, Sailors for the Sea will help to formalize their conservation efforts and help promote responsible environmental behaviors among the club’s members and the regatta participants.”

This is the 71st Hyannis Yacht Club Regatta, which in the past has attracted sailors and their families from the USA, Canada, US Virgin Islands, China and other countries. The event takes place July 26-28, 2013 and is considered a premier regatta for one-design racers. In addition, the club with its goal of promoting the sport and skill and sailing has hosted the Sunfish World Championship, F18 North American Championship, and yearly the Youth Invitational Regatta.

Hyannis Yacht Club has undertaken efforts to keep local waters clean and its club “green” and is trying to improve on these efforts each year. Members and event participants are encouraged to keep the waters clean, including the surrounding beaches, to recycle, and to promote the actions. Hyannis Yacht Club recently upgraded much of its facility to make it more environmentally friendly, including installation of efficient heating systems, environmentally friendly toilet facilities, and better recycling containers, and reduced the use of paper products. Commodore Mark Sexton backs these efforts enthusiastically with the club’s Regatta Co-Chairmen. 

The Hyannis Yacht Club and its Regatta will undertake several efforts in their Clean Regattas campaign, including but not limited to:

  • Improving communications about environmental efforts with members
  • Making sure each competitor gets a document stating the Regatta environmental goals
  • Strategic placement of recycling containers to ensure greater use
  • Providing water stations to help reduce single-use plastic bottles
  • Providing reusable water bottles to each competitor

Information on the series, as well as on-line registration forms and the Notice of Race (NOR), are available at http://www.hycregatta.org/nor—notice-of-race–si.html.

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. The Sailors for the Sea’s Clean Regattas program is 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 the program, and to work to protect oceans and locals waters for the use and enjoyment of this and future generations.

With three levels of certification (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) available, participants select their level of engagement, and work to fulfill the related certification requirements by first forming a Clean Regattas committee for the event or a permanent committee for all club/organization governance and events to oversee the certification criteria. The criteria relates 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

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, materials, and the final certification that a club or event is a Clean Regatta. Found worldwide, the Clean Regattas program is available for all interested yacht clubs, regattas, and sailing programs. 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

To make a club or an event a Clean Regattas, email annie@sailorsforthesea.org or visit www.cleanregattas.org. 

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 and restore our oceans and local waters. For more information on or to participate in any of the Sailors for the Sea programs, or to 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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