Green Sail: Sailors Guide
Hey sailors - welcome aboard! Whether you're chartering a yacht or sailing with a skipper, have a scroll to find practical tips on mooring fees, local customs and eco-friendly practices.
As a non-profit, Green Sail partners with nautical tourism providers to promote sustainable tourism. Happy sailing!
BEST CHARTERING PRACTICES
If you're chartering a yacht or sailing with a skipper, take the time to familiarise yourself with the following guidelines to ensure you're clued in on local customs and sailing responsibly.
Avoid Anchoring on Posidonia
- Never anchor on Posidonia beds which are essential for producing oxygen, reducing carbon dioxide and purifying water
- Look for light blue areas - these are usually sandy bottom, Posidonia-free areas
- Take note of anchoring restrictions
- Avoid night anchoring due to the lack of visibility
- Position your anchor correctly to avoid dragging and use the appropriate chain length
Learn More
Manage Blackwater
- Be sure to check for local restrictions, including no discharge zones before you go sailing
- Prioritise marinas with appropriate blackwater pump-out services
- Organise your trip so you have enough time to reach the marina and discharge your bank before it is full
Learn More
Manage Greywater
- Clear food scraps, oils and fats from dirty dishes before washing to prevent them from entering drains
- Keep kitchen waste on board the vessel for later disposal at a land-based facility
- Use marina facilities for showering, laundry, dishwashing etc.
- Be mindful when using cleaning products and avoid those that use phosphorus, nitrate and microplastics
Learn More
Actions to Take on Your Sailing Trip
Limit Energy Use
Turn off lights and devices when not in use
Be Mindful of Accidental Littering
Don’t leave items on the deck to be blown away, littering the sea
Separate & Recycle Waste
Collect and sort rubbish generated onboard and take it ashore to recycle
Limit Water Use
Be mindful of your water usage on a yacht. Simple actions like shorter showers, turning off taps, and reusing towels help conserve water
Wind Power
Enjoy wind power and choose to sail over motoring while producing less noise pollution
Protect Natural Wildlife
While sailing, you may encounter wildlife like dolphins and turtles! Remember to maintain a distance to protect both them and yourself
CROATIAN SAILING RESOURCES
Mooring Fee Guide
Plan your route based on the locations you want to visit, considering points of interest and your budget
See Mooring Fees
RECYCLING BIN LOCATIONS
Check out this map to see the Dalmatian Marinas that offer recycling facilities to their staff and guests
See Map
LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Water Pollution
Water pollution, caused by factors like industrial waste, agricultural runoff and plastic waste damages marine habitats by introducing harmful toxins into the Adriatic food chain
Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification in the Adriatic Sea weakens coral reefs and shellfish, disrupts marine ecosystems and threatens local fisheries and biodiversity
Eutrophication
Eutrophication in the Adriatic Sea causes nutrient buildup, leading to harmful algal blooms, reduced oxygen levels and disruption of marine ecosystems
Rising Sea Levels
Rising sea levels in the Adriatic are threatening coastal ecosystems, increasing the risk of flooding, eroding shorelines, and endangering infrastructure and human settlements along the coast
Extreme Weather
In the Adriatic, rising sea temperatures and altered marine biodiversity are leading to more frequent extreme weather events, which threaten coastal ecosystems and human settlements
Changes to Biodiversity
Warming in the Adriatic is causing habitat degradation and disrupted food chains, leading to a decline in cold-water species and an increase in invasive warmer-water species
