Claire Ferandier Sicard discusses the ETYC innovative and transparent approach to responsible and sustainable navigation
When I started my career onboard yachts almost 10 years ago, sustainability wasn’t a prevalent topic. It was mostly associated with the risk of pollution under the Marpol convention. However, in the past couple of years the industry has embraced sustainability across all aspects of a yacht’s lifecycle, which is undoubtedly a positive development. Nevertheless, it becomes challenging when the concept of sustainability isn’t universally understood.
What does sustainability on board mean?
For many shore-based workers attending seminars, summits, and forums, discussions around the importance of the yachting industry reducing its environmental impact are commonplace. However, those who are expected to do the legwork on board, namely yacht crews, often feel disconnected from these discussions. They’re onboard, distant from the discourse, and many don’t feel adequately represented. Consequently, when they’re instructed to reduce the vessel’s environmental footprint, they might perceive it as being lectured, feel pressured, and lack the knowledge and tools to address these concerns. Sustainability onboard refers to practices aimed at minimising environmental impact. However, without proper training and understanding, it’s difficult to grasp the full scope of this concept and even harder to implement.
This is where ETYC comes in – offering crews the opportunity to gain sufficient knowledge in sustainability and environmental practices to enable them to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. What could be better than an empowered crew?
Why is training the best way to improve sustainability on board?
Since the inception of the ETYC courses and having trained over 100 yacht crews, we’ve witnessed a noticeable difference in terms of actions and initiatives. Many of the yachts we worked with had already taken steps to reduce their impact on the environment. Some had introduced new regulations within their departments, while others had opted for environmentally-friendly cleaning products instead of conventional chemicals. However, while these individual initiatives are commendable, there was a lack of overall organisation and communication which posed a challenge for achieving a long-term vision and lasting impact.
This is why our course goes beyond simple training; we developed an Environmental Management System (EMS) specifically for yacht crews.
What is an Environmental Management System ?
It’s an action plan that integrates a Rating System, enabling crews to target their environmental impact within each department, and is supported by an Environmental Policy, facilitating the communication of their long-term actions.
ETYC’s EMS is currently the sole tool available in the industry which:
- Empowers crew to take proactive roles onboard.
- Provides them with sustainable solutions to minimise their environmental impact.
- Guides them rather than imposes mandates upon them.
- Allows them to track their progress and continuously improve.
In the forthcoming months, we will launch a digital platform that will facilitate internal communication and provide external visibility through public profiles and monthly reports.
Now is the time to take measurable actions toward reducing your yacht’s environmental impact, empower your crew and become a role model for others.
For more details Tel: +377 6 43 91 45 36 or visit www.etyc.fr
