Sunsail and The Moorings have won the Sustainability Award at the 2024 Southampton International Boat Show, in a large part thanks to the companies’ sustainability achievements realised under their joint ‘Our Ocean Promise’ initiative, which they launched in 2022.

The Sustainability Award at SIBS highlights companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to reducing their environmental footprint and driving sustainability within the marine industry and at the show. A panel of expert judges — including Kate Fortnam (The Green Blue), Dr. Joe Penhaul Smith (Sustainable Sailing), Hannah Stodel (Hannah Stodel Racing), Robert Parton (British Marine president), and Adam James (technical executive, British Marine) — assessed the entries, focusing on operational sustainability and how businesses inspired positive change among their customers and supply chains.

Electric motors on charters

Sunsail and The Moorings secured the top spot for the second consecutive year following their Ocean Promise project helping to reduce the environmental impact of their yacht charter operations significantly.

Sunsail and The Moorings have expanded the use of electric outboards across the Mediterranean to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Following a successful trial in 2022, Sunsail introduced ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus electric outboard motors to its top three locations in 2023. Following positive customer feedback, these outboards are now available across five Mediterranean bases for Sunsail and The Moorings brands. With 110 electric outboards in the fleet, the companies say this reduces fuel consumption by approximately 1.3 gallons (6 litres) per week per outboard, totalling a reduction of 4,355 gallons (19,800 litres) of fossil fuels annually.

Laura Bowtell, head of sales, operations, and sustainability at Sunsail and The Moorings, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this prestigious award again. Sustainability is no longer just a side project; it’s now central to everything we do, helping us create meaningful change. While we’re still at the start of our journey, we’re committed to setting the right priorities, exploring new technologies, and ensuring our customers are fully on board.”

Single-use plastic on charters

In addition to their efforts with electric outboards, Sunsail and The Moorings are advancing their water purification initiatives in their sustainability efforts. All new catamarans in their fleet now feature water purification units using General Ecology’s structured matrix technology, designed to eliminate microbiological and chemical contamination without chemicals or electricity. This year, Sunsail retrofitted these units to new monohulls in its exclusive plus and premier plus categories, meaning a total of around 300 yachts within the Sunsail and The Moorings fleet now have a water purification system onboard. This results in an estimated reduction of 24 tons of single-use plastic annually.

To further reduce the use of single-use plastics at their bases, Sunsail and The Moorings have introduced water refill stations at all locations, encouraging customers to use reusable bottles. This initiative complements Sunsail’s broader sustainability communications, which offer tips on reducing environmental impact and provide opportunities for customers to support The Blue Marine Foundation through optional donations.

Boatfolk – the boat subscription service – secured second place, for its efforts in raising environmental awareness and championing sustainable boating practices. This week, Boatfolk is launching its EcoMarine division, focused on environmentally friendly refits, repairs, and maintenance.

In third place, The Electric Outboard Company continues to make waves by helping boaters transition from traditional fuel-powered engines to clean, renewable energy-driven motors. Its inboard and outboard electric motors produce zero emissions, making them ideal for eco-sensitive areas. The company is also a leader in sustainability, powering their operations with renewable energy and supporting initiatives like the Round Britain eRIB Challenge to further promote greener boating.

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, says: “The judging panel had a tough decision, and we applaud the efforts of all participants. Their innovations underscore the growing importance of sustainability in the marine industry. This year’s entries show an exciting future for environmentally responsible boating.”

In recognition of their commitment to the Southampton International Boat Show’s Environmental Pledge and going above and beyond mandatory requirements for all exhibitors, special plaques were presented to:

  • Rooster Sailing
  • PSA Prime
  • Setag Yachts
  • English Braids
  • Swallow Yachts
  • Sandbanks Jewellery
  • Suzuki
  • Bray Marine Sales
  • GAC Pindar
  • Electric Outboard Company
  • Rockley Watersports
  • Lorimar
  • 24hrs Limited
  • Boatfolk
  • Sunsail & The Moorings
  • Wessex Resins
  • Optima Boats

As part of its continued commitment to sustainability, the majority of the powerboats used for patrols, safety, and marina management at this year’s SIBS are fully electric. This initiative includes the deployment of an RS Pulse and two VITA powerboats, the latter having previously served as safety boats at the Olympic Games. By transitioning to electric boats, we are significantly reducing our carbon footprint and leading the charge in eco-friendly maritime practices.

“We are also grateful to our partners who have supported this initiative. MDL has generously provided charging facilities at their Ocean Village Marina, utilising the advanced Aqua SuperPower charger. This collaboration highlights the importance of industry partnerships in driving forward sustainability efforts. By integrating these electric powerboats into our show operations for the first time, we are proud to share this green story as a testament to our ongoing environmental commitment”, Robinson adds.

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