Camper & Nicholsons Marinas think 'Green & Clean' and pioneer eco-friendly destinations

The Camper & Nicholsons network of marinas includes sophisticated and inspirational marinas located in some of the world's most beautiful destinations. We have vast experience in the planning, development and management of marinas in more than 25 countries including consideration of their impact on the environment. We know you will be delighted, inspired and enchanted by our marinas too.

Earlier this year, we embarked on creating a greener marina campaign, to help promote our marinas as being the most environmentally friendly destinations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Scroll through the information below to see what solutions are now in place, to help care for the natural environment. Our General Marina Managers and Marina Managers and teams have been busy carefully curating their own initiatives - in keeping with the environmentally friendly theme - to help do best for their surrounding environment to help benefit all.

Are marinas becoming more environmentally friendly? Yes, they are. Not only is it our duty to protect our natural resources for the next generations, but also marinas that do not apply the latest environment measures will ultimately find themselves less competitive.

How? We promote best management practices within our waste management plans which include new measures all the time. We aim to produce less garbage, recycle more and prevent pollution/contamination.

My team is trained on best practices and energy/water saving methods: –

• We do not undertake agricultural spraying in Cesme Marina in daylight so as not to disturb bees. We do not allow boat washing without a water gun.
• We pay attention not to use any harmful chemicals in cleaning.
• We make sure that all computer screens are turned off at night. Even small and simple measures all add up.

Several Marina Managers in Turkey are also looking into natural solutions. I am planting mussels in order to improve water quality. A marina in Gocek is planning to plant octopus farms to help the eco system.

What technology is looming that will help this process?

I’m very excited about welcoming vessels with electric motors in the next few years having seen several hybrid boats in the last few. This will help to reduce the Carbon emissions. Nano technology is helping paint companies to produce more environmentally friendly paints and antifouling.

With advances in solar and wind power technology I am hoping we will produce our own sustainable power in future too.

Cleaning products are also less harmful these days.

Are owners requesting a more ecological approach to marinas?

A recent study in Izmir showed that boat owners are extremely sensitive about the water quality of the marina they stay in. I would say that in Cesme Marina a good 90% of guests are sensitive to our water quality, they ask about our pollution prevention measures. Many are also concerned with waste separation and ecological cleaning in the boatyard. Some complain about other boat owners who may not be careful with their rubbish and I think peer pressure is a good thing.

To what level does ecological thinking go for owners and or captains when berthed in the marina? In Cesme Marina we only allow dustless vacuum sanders which prevents up to 98% of the harmful dust.

Is there a trend among the new millennial buyers for a more eco approach? I think the new generation is certainly thinking differently and is more environmentally aware. We also see this reflected in new builds of yachts and motor boats.

Click here to read the internationally reviewed Mussel Project, launched in Spring 2018.

Are marinas becoming more environmentally friendly? Yes definitely.

If so, how? We use recycled materials wherever we can plus low energy light. We sell ultra-low sulphur fuel and we are vigilant in our waste recycling and using best practices in disposal of oil. We all want a healthy planet for us and our kids. Particularly here where it is a tropical paradise and to see that deteriorate would be heart-breaking.

Are owners requesting a more ecological approach to berthing their yachts in cleaner marinas? I think boat owners and skippers are becoming more and more discerning about which marinas they use depending on their policies for recycling, fuel and waste disposal.

How do they demonstrate this: ie; what do this insist on? I think most of us have come to expect recycling bins and the availability of certain fuel

To what level does ecological thinking go for owners and or captains when berthed in the marina? ie; from eco cleaning products, banishing plastic water bottles, fuelling?

Port Louis Marina, continues to develop their own recycling bottle bank system, separating coloured glass. The Marina staff are always on hand with nets to physically collect any plastics or rubbish that enter the marina, disposing of the items thereafter.

Are marinas becoming more environmentally friendly? Absolutely

How? International PR has helped in making the environment a strong factor in customers decision making which is great, and of course legislation tightening in Cyprus means best practices improve.

What technology is looming that will help this process? Our service suppliers are improving their waste disposal, building temperature-controlled waste rooms. Plus I notice more use of sustainable materials now.

Are there incentives to build greener marinas? I think Government regulations are becoming better enforced in Cyprus now and moral incentives are becoming stronger as people become more educated. Our Industry is about getting people to enjoy the marine environment and we should all do everything possible to protect it for future generations.

Are owners requesting a more ecological approach to marinas? Superyacht owners and crew are bound by IMO regulations, so they have a very good understanding of the disposal of hazardous waste for example and need receipts as evidence of their legal and responsible disposal.

To what level does ecological thinking go for owners and or captains when berthed in the marina? We encourage ecological thinking through our T&Cs such as only allowing use of eco cleaning products, banning self-fuel filling. We also host environmental awareness events throughout the year to educate our guests and other industry professionals.

Is there a trend among the new millennial buyers for a more eco approach? There is certainly a better understanding of the climate change situation and the impact on the marine environment, but people taking individual responsibility for marine and environmental protection can still be lacking sadly. There’s still a way to go.

Are marinas becoming more environmentally friendly? Yes we are definitely more environmentally aware and conscious of how we can operate our marina to protect the marine environment.

If so, how? St. Katharine Docks has introduced several initiatives including:

• Fish spawning devices to encourage the laying of eggs and provide a nursery environment for fish to develop.
• Bird Houses – provide a safe and dry floating platform for birds to shelter and nest with their young.
• A full time cleaning operative to remove floating rubbish from the marina water space – He is an important man. Rubbish comes in from the Thames on most locks.
• Water Quality – increased vigilance on any threats to water quality
• Close supervision of all refuelling activities.
• We also encourage and educate our berth holders to dispose of their waste water responsibly.

What technology is looming that will help this process?

Seabins – http://seabinproject.com/ There are also companies specialising in creating synthetic and natural marine environments to encourage fish development at all stages of life.

Are there incentives to build greener marinas?

Public awareness that we need to look after our planet, is increasing and gaining momentum and so is society’s desire to push the ‘Green agenda’. Our customers and potential customers appreciate the additional effort we take to advance green initiatives and are very willing to support them. Thankfully it is increasingly becoming better business sense to develop these.

Are owners requesting a more ecological approach to berthing their yachts in cleaner marinas?

Our berth holders are very supportive of initiatives which the marina leads on, although we do have particular berth holders who are keen to do more.

How do they demonstrate this: ie; what do they insist on?

We have a thorough system of patrolling our marina to make sure all is at it should be. However, there will inevitably be ecological threats which we don’t spot and our berth holders are a welcome set of eyes to spot any problems so we can deal with them or investigate further 

To what level does ecological thinking go for owners and or captains when berthed in the marina? ie; from eco cleaning products, banishing plastic water bottles, fuelling?

We have a ‘permit to work’ system. In a permit request, a boat valeting technician had specified he intended to use a particular cleaner and supplied the data sheet. When we looked further, there was certain wording on the data sheet which concerned us and I contacted the tradesman. What followed was so reassuring. We had a chat and he forwarded on to me a copy of  the email conversation he had already had with the chief chemist from the product’s manufacturers. We both now had a fuller understanding of the product’s low risk interaction with the aquatic environment. As he reminded me, we are all thinking about the environment and for his company who are washing boats down every day, a bad reputation in this area is not good for business.

How does Marina d’Arechi manage the collection of waste?

Marina d’Arechi regularly carries out separate collection of plastic and aluminium, paper and cardboard, organic waste and glass; it is also equipped with four collection areas available to yachtsmen. A special storage area has been set up as required by law; this waste are taken and disposed of regularly without risk to man or the environment. The waters produced by shipyard activities are channelled into special treatment plants so that they do not flow into the sea as they are.

How important is environmental sustainability in your activities?

It’s absolutely fundamental. The premises for public use on the quay are all equipped with eco-sustainable furniture (taps with timers, for example). The Marina is also ‘green’ and eco-friendly in its design, thanks to the use of natural materials such as the mosaic style natural rock breakwater, and pier decking made of recycled wood. The Marina also offers boaters the opportunity to move within it thanks to the free bike-sharing service. Also important is the strategic position of the port, which allows a sustainable transport service thanks to its proximity to the public transport services (bus-metro).

Do you think environmental education should be taught?

Of course it should. That’s why Marina d’Arechi promotes environmental education through frequent initiatives in collaboration with schools of all levels and other institutions. We trust that becoming the yachtsmen of tomorrow starts with knowledge and respect of the sea. Marina d’Arechi also has ISO 14001, which is a certified environmental management system that monitors the impact of Marina activities, with special focus on, and constant attention to, sustainability.

Marina d’Arechi has confirmed the five “Blue flags” of the FEE

Yes, it’s the third time Marina d’Arechi gets this prestigious recognition. It is not easy to achieve, because we need to comply with 25 criteria put in black and white by the FEE, and which concern four specific areas: education and environmental management, services, safety, water quality. Among the criteria respected by Marina d’Arechi, therefore, is the presence of containers for the separate collection of recyclable waste such as glass, aluminum, paper, plastics, organic waste; conservation and biodiversity of marine ecosystems; as well as the absolute prohibition of dumping of waste water, inside the building site and cleaning of boats, in the territory and in the waters that are part of the landing or in the surrounding natural areas.

Sani Marina is a local three-generation business, which has created Sani Green – a sustainability programme central to the company’s vision and activity.

Under Sani Green, the company is continuously working to improve its environmental performance throughout the Sani resort and Sani Marina, in areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy use, water conservation, waste minimisation and sustainable procurement.

Over 45% of the waste produced is recycled: paper, glass, plastic, cans, batteries, electrical appliances and used candles, while used cooking oil from the hotel kitchens and restaurants is converted into bio-fuel. We also place a large emphasis on creating a more sustainable supply chain, procuring over 60% of fruit and vegetables locally and domestically, working with our suppliers to reduce waste, and hiring locally. Recognising that Sani Green cannot exist without the participation and support of our personnel, we place a large emphasis on training, with at least two hours of environmental training per employee, Green Boards,  regular green features in our staff magazine, employee awards, as well as tree-planting with staff participation and Sani wetlands outings.

Grand Harbour Marina initiated the first Marina Think Green and Clean Campaign, creating an event for all those willing in the marina to help clear up waste and promote environmental awareness.

Gordon Vassaollo comments, “We are hoping this will be the first of many clean up events for Camper & Nicholsons Grand Harbour Marina, Malta.”

How have you started this new campaign to help clear up Grand Harbour Marina and make everyone more environmentally aware?

We have sent out initiatives to all yacht owners and crew residing at the marina at this current time encouraging participation as well as having our entire Grand Harbour Marina team onboard which can also be seen as a team building activity. It was also nice to see that we have some interest from residents of the Birgu showing that the marina and the local community are working hand in hand to keep the environment in good order.

In hosting this Clean Up initiative what effect do you hope to have?

It is no secret the effect plastic and waste has on our seas, the yachting industry especially relies entirely on marine conservation and preservation. We are tackling this issue from land and sea, walking along the marina and foreshore collecting any rubbish found as well as skimming the surface of the harbour for floating debris using our tenders.

What measures are in place to help communities in Malta recycle and be more environmentally aware?

This is a GHM event however we also have help from the local council who are providing us with garbage trucks to separate all the collected garbage as well as recyclable garbage bags.

To book a berth and be apart of the most environmentally aware destinations, click here to book a berth.