Nava Sailing towards Nautical Sustainability
Companies in the boating industry have certain difficulties in working toward more sustainability. Certainly, it’s due to the nature of the industry. And the fact that navigation requires using one of most sensitive resources, our waters and oceans.
However, boating technology is advancing and becoming more sustainable with each generation. Of course, the biggest polluters in the industry are diesel engines. The development of environmentally/eco-friendly alternatives, especially for bigger types of boats such as sailboats and yachts, is quite slow, but still ongoing.
Client demands for green solutions
The rise of consumer need for greener alternatives has reached the boating industry as well. We see it among our customers that want to purchase a boat, but also charter guests.
One of the easiest ways to make boating more sustainable is the installation of solar panels on the boats. Furthermore, the desire for sustainable practices gave way to the development of the electric vehicle and engine industry as an alternative to internal combustion engines. In 2023, Mercury officially announced their first ever lineup of electric outboard engines, the Avator. The all-electric propulsion lineup includes 7.5e, 20e, 35e, 75e, and 110e versions. Since its launch, Mercury’s Avator electric propulsion series has won multiple design and innovation awards in both the marine and electronics industries.
Avator outboard engines are crafted with many components that are recyclable or reusable. While also providing a boating experience with no exhaust fumes and zero direct emissions. Avator 7.5e is the smallest model in the lineup. It’s comparable in speed and performance to the internal combustion 3.5 hp outboard engine. Which undoubtedly makes it perfect for dinghies. 7.5e is both quieter and has faster acceleration than regular engines. Other versions, 20e, 35e,75e, 110e, are comparable in speed and performance to 5 hp, 10hp, 21hp, and 31hp engines, respectively.
Nava is proud to announce that starting this year, we’ll be installing electric outboard engines on all of our dinghies. It’s making us the first charter company in Croatia to pivot away from outboard diesel engines. As previously mentioned, Mercury has developed a line of electric outboard engines, Avator. We couldn’t be more excited to reveal that Avator 7.5e is the model that is ushering a new era of boating at Nava.
Ongoing practices
The introduction of electric outboard engines to our fleet is just one way that Nava aims to improve sustainability.
Local authorities have been requiring better waste management, and more recycling from all local companies.
We have an electrical tuk-tuk vehicle to meet all our marina needs in Split, from transporting equipment to handling guests’ luggage. Additionally, we encourage boat owners to install solar panels on their boats to enhance energy efficiency and promote sustainability. Furthermore, other possible sustainable solutions available on boats are wind turbines and water makers. They are both effective ways for reducing emissions and better water rationing. It should be noted that only 1% of total marine air pollution is caused by recreational craft engines. However, such sustainable efforts from Nava show dedication to helping marine tourism and recreational boating reduce their (hydro)carbon footprint.
Finding partners – Green Sail
Green sail is a non-profit organization focused on reducing, preventing and fighting coastal and marine pollution as well as organizing beach and sea bottom clean-ups. Nava joined the Green Sail project in 2017. The organization collaborates closely with nautical tourism providers to develop grassroots solutions for sustainability challenges. By leveraging education, engaging hands-on programs, and an extensive network of partners and members, the Green Sail movement champions the principles of sustainable ecotourism.
VESSEL ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT (VEF)
Our next big goal regarding sustainability is getting the Vessel Environmental Footprint (VEF). It is a rating system developed by the non-profit Green Sail. VEF measures environmental footprint onboard, emissions and sustainability actions, generating a rating out of 5. The rating indicates the impact the vessel has on the environment, with 1 being a vessel that produces a significant environmental footprint, and 5 being a sustainable vessel that actively mitigates its impact on the environment. The four key areas of their equation are emissions produced onboard, power usage, water usage, and waste produced onboard. This system aims to reduce the impact our industry has on the environment by helping our guests make informed decisions and opting for nautical providers that actively work on minimizing their impact on the environment.
There’s much work
Nava’s commitment to sustainability in the boating industry reflects our awareness of the importance of preserving our oceans and reducing our environmental impact. We are actively following current trends and embracing innovative technologies, such as electric outboard engines, to lead the way toward a greener/eco-friendly future. Our collaboration with organizations like Green Sail underscores our dedication to advancing eco-friendly practices and improving waste management and recycling efforts. By pursuing a high Vessel Environmental Footprint rating, we aim to set an example and encourage the community in the boating industry to prioritize sustainability. We have come a long way, but there is much more to accomplish. Further education of our management and employees is a key part of our strategy. We believe that small, consistent efforts can lead to significant positive change. We are dedicated to making a meaningful impact.