The Royal Cork Yacht Club is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment. This policies below set out out how we will work towards achieving our environmental objectives.
Port waste Management Plan and Environmental Policy
The Royal Cork Yacht Club will meet the environmental legislation that relates to the operation of the clubhouse and Dinghy Park, and where possible identify opportunities to adopt best practice over and above the minimum legislative requirements.
We will ensure that club safety boats and Ribs are fuelled safely and responsibly to avoid spillages and pollution. All safety boats will carry a spill kit. Safety boat drivers will be trained in refuelling good practice and the use of spill kits.
- We will minimise the use of electricity in all of our activities. For example; turning off lights, replacing old light bulbs with energy efficient models.
- We will minimise the use of water in all of our activities. For example; fitting hoses with automatic trigger nozzles and turning off taps when not in use.
- We will minimise the creation of waste. For example; we will only print and photocopy if absolutely essential and then print double-sided. We also use one main printer this saves on Ink and Electricity.
- Where possible, we will use email and text and our web site rather than printed materials to communicate and promote our activities.
- We will recycle as much waste as possible by providing adequate clearly labelled bins and increasing our waste and recycling bins and/or collections during busy events. This is constantly monitored
- We will provide suitable containers for the disposal of hazardous waste streams.
- We will encourage members to scrub down their boats and apply anti-fouling in a designated area, collect scrapings and dispose of as hazardous waste.
- We will endeavour to take a sustainable approach to running events.
- We will promote relevant local environmental information to our members such as the location of voluntary no anchor zones, sensitive habitats/species. All this information is on our dedicated Safety / Environmental notice board
- We will publicise our environmental commitment and promote sustainability amongst our members and visitors on our website and club notice boards.
- We will take the environmental credentials of our suppliers into account when procuring new products. By doing so we wish to encourage other organisations to integrate sustainability into their operations.
- We will measure our progress and review this policy on an annual basis.
Green Events Policy
The Royal Cork Yacht Club is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment and has created this Green Events Policy which sets out the steps it will take to adopt a sustainable approach whilst delivering the best possible event.
Before the event we will:
- Comply with environmental legislation.
- Establish a bunded on-shore refueling area for safety boat drivers.
- Take water, gas and electricity meter readings before and after each event.
- Provide trigger nozzles on hoses for washing down boats to improve water efficiency.
- Provide extra bins with clear pictorial signage so that waste is disposed of appropriately and as much as possible is recycled.
- Locate recycling and landfill waste bins close together to maximise efficient use of both.
- Include details of sensitive habitats/wildlife to be avoided in Sailing Instructions and briefings.
- Provide adequate hazardous waste disposal facilities.
- Minimise quantity of paper sent to competitors by using email, text and internet communications.
- Use only FSC accredited products when we do need to use paper or wood.
- Source supplies and produce locally.
- Source recyclable or reusable crockery and cutlery and cups.
- Provide public transport details on publicity materials and the website.
- Source products with less packaging to prevent waste.
During the event we will:
- Brief all competitors and officials on our Environmental Policy and our environmental expectations of them.
- Provide oil spill kits, fuel collars, no-spill refueling devices and training for support vessels and staff.
- Prohibit overboard discharge of any rubbish including bow decals and include this rule in the Sailing Instructions & OR Notice of Race.
- Prohibit littering at shore facilities, including cigarette butts and chewing gum.
- Affix bow stickers to competitors’ boat to ensure they do not come loose during racing.
- Instigate a boat wash down system prior to and after the event to prevent the spread of non-native invasive species.
- Provide competitors with refillable water bottles and signpost to drinking water to reduce the number of disposed plastic bottles.
After the event we will:
- Record energy and water use and try to reduce these figures for future events.
- Organise a litter pick to collect any litter which may not have found its way into the right bins.
- Constantly meet & Review the environmental impact of the event and consider improvements for the next one. Note these and Implement for future events.
Oil Spill Procedure
Contact a senior trained staff member immediately.
Spill Managers:
Gavin Deane (General Manager) – 0872899190
Mark Ring (Marina & Racing Manager) – 0872835266
Dave Coveney (Marina & Facilities Supervisor) – 0879850509
The Spill Manager is the official responsible for monitoring or managing responses to oil spills. Once notified of an oil spill, the Spill Manager also will conduct an immediate assessment to evaluate several factors, including the size and nature of the spill, the type of oil spilled, its potential hazards, and the resources needed to contain and clean it up.
The Spill Manager also will monitor any existing response efforts to determine whether additional technical support is necessary. (Coast Guard, Fire Brigade other local authority)
- Immediately contain the spill
- Identify the source of the spill
- If in the water use oil absorbent booms
- Treat the oil to make it safe if possible.
- Start cleaning up the spill with the oil spill kit
- Wash down after cleaning affected areas with large volumes of water.
- Assess the reason for the spill (could it have been prevented check CCTV).
Blue Flag For Boat Owners
Individual boat owners and boat users who want to participate in the Blue Flag programme can do so by complying with the Blue Flag for Boat Owner’s Environmental Code of Conduct. By signing the pledge you commit to:
- Not throwing litter into the sea or along the coast.
- Not releasing toilet water into fresh waters, coastal waters and sensitive areas.
- Not releasing poisonous or toxic waste (oil, paint, used batteries, cleaning agents, etc) into fresh waters and the sea. Waste will be disposed of in appropriate recycling facilities.
- Promoting the use of recycling facilities (glass, paper, etc).
- Using the most environmentally friendly products that are available and work efficiently.
- Reporting pollution or other violation of environmental regulations to the authorities.
- Not engaging in forbidden fishing practices and I will respect periods when fishing is prohibited.
- Protecting animals and plants in the sea, including not disturbing of breeding birds, seals or other marine mammals.
- Respecting vulnerable and nature protected areas.
- Avoiding damaging the sea floor (in the way that I anchor, etc).
- Avoiding disturbing fishery or fishing gear.
- Not using objects made from protected species or from archaeological underwater findings.
- Encouraging other boaters to take care of the environment.
For more information on the Blue Flag for Boat Owners please get in touch with the Blue Flag Team.
Sustainability links
Sailors for the Sea Click Click here
The Green Blue Click here
One Green Village Facebook page Click here
Download Education Posters
The Green Guide to Coastal Boating with the Awareness Raising Toolkit – Click here for more information
For Awareness Posters – Click here
For Written Green Boat User Guides – Click here
Recycling List Ireland
Royal Cork Awarded the Inaugural Sustainability Award at the Volvo Irish Sailing Awards 2019
