The main thrust of the Bluewake program is to create awareness of how finite our planet’s resources are. Through simple lifestyle changes, we can reduce our impact on the depletion of these resources.

Although hard to believe, there is a quantifiable limit to the resources we require to survive. We simply turn on a tap or flick a switch and presto – endless resources. Pay a bill or two; the supply seems endless.

Life aboard a cruising boat is much different. Gauges display the amount of electricity and fuel available to us. By tapping on the side of tanks, we monitor water consumption and holding tank fullness. A sailboat’s limited living space directly relates to sailors’ provisioning and refuse stowage.

While living aboard, we, as sailors must develop new habits to cope with these constraints.
To minimize the use of our precious resources;

1. We do not let the water run needlessly when shaving, showering or brushing teeth
2. We wash dishes by hand in a minimum amount of warm water and hand or air dry
3. We reduce the amount of packaging brought onto the boat by buying in bulk, storing in reusable containers, thus reducing the waste that we must remove
4. We monitor our power consumption so we do not deplete batteries
5. We turn off unnecessary lights and appliances
6. We hang clothes to dry
7. We use renewable energy sources – sun and wind
8. We sail as much as possible

The boat is our micro planet where our lives are directly impacted by limited  resources. Should we not follow these conservation guidelines; our energy and water will run out quickly, lazerettes will fill with garbage. The non-eco-friendly sailor risks malnutrition, dehydration and illness.

Our Earth with all its natural elements is an awesome planet. Let’s help preserve and regenerate it:

Bluewake challenges you to take the habits developed on the boat and apply them to your everyday life .
No trading or buying of carbon credits required.
No changes to the tax structure of the world.

Simple lifestyle changes will lead to big results!

Although politicians and marketing genius’ promote the greening of our planet, Earth is known as the BLUE planet;
BLUE SKY + BLUE WATER
By focussing on the BLUE, the green will look after itself.

Let’s leave a BLUE WAKE....

Ken & Carol Gillstrom
VOYAGEUR SAILING