by Laurie Foulon | 7 Jan 2025 | Press Releases
Water Revolution Foundation is elated to start the year 2025 on an empowering note, encouraging our industry to take one more step towards its collaborative transition: this time, by an open letter to Yacht Owners and Family Offices.
The letter, in the form of four steps to support one’s “Yachting Resolutions”, is geared towards positive action on board and on shore: from measuring impact, improving the yacht’s operations by empowering Captains and crews and investigate alternative fuels, to committing a small percentage towards ocean conversation.
The four steps, designed for Yacht Owners, are aimed as guidelines and always collaborative (from YETI to the Environmental Crew Guidelines). They cover the Water Revolution Foundation’s roadmap to 2030 by pioneering a regenerative approach for superyachts.
You may access the full version of the letter, with interactive resources, at www.waterrevolutionfoundation.org/open-letter.
Your support in sharing this significant step forward in advancing environmental responsibility in yachting is greatly appreciated.
by Water Revolution Foundation | 21 Nov 2024 | Press Releases
In an exciting milestone, culminating five years of invaluable industry-wide collaboration, the YETI software tool was officially launched during METSTRADE 2024. Coinciding with the Foundation’s 6th anniversary, this remarkable development will enable the yachting industry to assess, compare and improve its environmental footprint.
A celebrated industry debut
Presented by Water Revolution Foundation’s Executive Director, Robert van Tol, and Technical Director, Hanna Dąbrowska, YETI’s release captivated the attention of key yachting stakeholders in the METSTRADE Theatre.
A premiere demo of the software highlighted key distinctions between YETI Lite and YETI Pro, the two versions now available to users on a web-based platform developed by the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN). YETI Lite is a free, open-source, entry-level tool designed to help non-technical users gain a basic understanding of their yacht’s environmental footprint. It provides estimated performance scores with up to 90% accuracy, based on Gross Tonnage and Load Waterline Length (LWL). Ideal for raising internal awareness, YETI Lite serves as an informational resource but is not suitable for making official claims.
YETI Pro, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive assessment tool for technical professionals, offering a full, in-depth analysis based on well-to-wake impact of energy carriers and reference lines to benchmark yacht performance. With an extensive dashboard reflecting assessment results, users can explore and test potential solutions for reducing environmental impact. This version achieves higher accuracy than YETI Lite and includes third-party verification options for official scores.
One step closer to zero
A collaborative effort between renowned shipyards, naval architecture studios, and research institutes has resulted in the development of this comprehensive framework to measure a yacht’s environmental performance in the operational phase of its life cycle.
This voluntary assessment tool provides both the yachting industry and yacht owners with a clear understanding of their vessel’s current ecological impact and the sources of that impact, serving as a valuable decision support system for setting sustainability ambitions in new yacht builds and guiding existing vessels (power and sail) toward meaningful environmental upgrades. To ensure industry-wide usability, a working group of various target users supported the tool developers to create an intuitive interface making YETI accessible to shipyards, designers, engineers, captains, crews, marinas, financiers, brokers, and suppliers.
How YETI differentiates itself
Moving away from traditional sustainability narratives of shame and blame, YETI allows users to input their own data and take control of their environmental impact. It provides a clear direction, shows the effect of potential solutions, and offers valuable education to users while serving as a robust risk-analysis tool.
The YETI method is not intended as an alternative for legislative developments such as EEDI, EEXI, CII, etc., going further than CO2 impact by taking a holistic Life Cycle Approach. It goes beyond regulatory compliance to deliver a sector-specific, transparent methodology tailored to the unique challenges of the yachting industry.
“Transparency is the cornerstone of meaningful change. By delivering clear, honest measurements and actionable insights, YETI empowers the yachting industry to move beyond compliance, take responsibility, and make informed decisions that drive real environmental progress. With a comprehensive view of a yacht’s impact, we are confident that YETI will provide the clarity and insights needed to navigate toward a future-proof yachting industry,” said Dąbrowska.
A new environmental metric for yachting
YETI introduces a new term for the industry to express its environmental impact: EcoPoints. No less than 18 different impact categories are evaluated and summarised into one single score. This innovative scoring system allows for easy comparison of the environmental impact of various products, calculating the various effects of parameters such as CO2, CO, HC, NOx, Ammonia, & PM 2.5 in one single number. Specific impacts are also reported separately, to allow for transparency and steering on a selection of them (e.g. CO2 equivalent, which is a common focus for regulatory bodies).
The future of YETI
YETI’s method is currently proposed in ISO TS23099 to become an industry standard and common benchmark. The aim is for the entire global fleet to be calculated using YETI Pro, with scores validated by a third-party for official certification, ensuring complete transparency.
“The launch of YETI software marks the dawn of a new era for yachting — one where actionable insights drive progress. By providing a clear, reliable framework for assessing and improving environmental performance, YETI offers a clear, data-driven pathway to achieve measurable change. Together, we can create a yachting industry that thrives while safeguarding the ocean we rely on for generations to come,” said Vienna Eleuteri, Vice-Chair & Initiator of the Foundation.
You may access the software here: https://yachtfootprint.com/
For those attending METSTRADE, a YETI Pro demo is available at Water Revolution’s stand (Hall 13.104, Elicium building). Additionally, a YETI webinar will take place on Wednesday, 27 November, 15:00 – 15:45 CET, offering a deep dive into the software and its potential for driving impactful improvements. Register now at https://yetiwebinar.rsvpify.com/
by Water Revolution Foundation | 26 Sep 2024 | Press Releases
Unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show, the latest edition of the Designers’ Protocol sets a new standard for environmental yacht design, offering actionable principles and detailed recommendations for every new yacht project.
The result of a collective initiative spearheaded by Dickie Bannenberg of Bannenberg & Rowell Design in collaboration with Water Revolution Foundation’s Sustainable Yacht Design Taskforce, this new and improved document outlines critical considerations for yacht owners and designers alike, emphasising the importance of making environmentally-conscious choices from the initial phase of design.
Industry expert perspectives
A panel discussion between participating yacht designers, naval architects, and industry professionals took place to offer insights into their contributions within the Protocol. Moderated by Francesca Webster, Editor in Chief of SuperYacht Times, representatives on the panel included Dan Wupperman, Head of Group Initial Design at Espen Oeino International, Tanno Weeda, Head of Design at De Voogt Naval Architects, and Matthew Anzardo, Global Segment Lead at AkzoNobel. The discussion highlighted that yacht design demands a collaborative effort, where designers, naval architects, and suppliers must join forces to address challenges and merge their unique expertise.
By emphasising holistic design, energy efficiency, and innovation within the Protocol, the industry can advance toward environmental sustainability: “We need to make clients aware of what is possible in a comprehensive way and move forward accordingly together. Those who don’t join us will be left behind,” Weeda remarked.
Clear recommendations across nine key areas
The document covers nine key subjects associated with yacht design, offering both broad and specific recommendations. It begins with general guidance on the Life Cycle Approach, operational profiles, and energy sources, before delving into more detailed considerations such as hotel load and A/C systems, glazing treatments, and hull colour. Contributions from industry leaders including AkzoNobel, Bannenberg & Rowell Design, De Voogt Naval Architects, Espen Oeino International, Eckersley O’Callaghan, RWD, and Viken Group have shaped this comprehensive guide.
Designers as key drivers of change
Yacht designers hold a unique responsibility in guiding clients toward more sustainable choices. As one of the first points of contact, they are uniquely positioned to influence decisions that can lead to the development of eco-friendlier yachts. The Protocol empowers designers with practical knowledge that enable them to advocate for and ensure that environmental responsibility is embedded in every new project from the outset.
“In general, most clients have been engaged by the ideas within the Protocol,” Wupperman mentioned. “While some were initially uninterested, once we start demonstrating the benefits and taking them through the process step by step, it opens the door to conversations. We bring in the ideas, engage the shipyard, and ultimately convince the client to do a little bit more.”
A unified effort
The Designers’ Protocol represents a collaborative effort across various sectors of the yachting industry, bringing together the expertise of suppliers, naval architects, engineers, and design studios. This cross-industry cooperation of pooled knowledge and expertise represents a crucial united vision for advancing environmental responsibility in yachting. “It’s not one magic bullet – the whole industry must work together to make yachting more sustainable,” said Anzardo. Summing it up, Wupperman added, “The Protocol’s aim is to bring all designers together to solve many different challenges collectively – not just one project. And it’s been a lot of fun getting to know other companies and their perspectives as we all work towards the same goal.”
Access the protocol here.
by Water Revolution Foundation | 25 Sep 2024 | Press Releases
Water Revolution Foundation and Seastainable Yachting are proud to announce the launch of Version 2 of the Environmental Crew Guidelines at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. The updated edition builds upon the success of the inaugural version, offering an enhanced toolkit to support the yachting industry’s transition towards more environmentally-friendly operations.
The Environmental Crew Guidelines represent a significant step forward in the collective effort to reduce the environmental impact of the global superyacht fleet. These enhanced guidelines, developed for and by crew, now provide more practical and actionable advice for implementing better practices across all facets of onboard operations.
Enhanced usability and updated content
The updated version reflects feedback from valued industry supporters and crew members after implementing practices highlighted in the first version of the guidelines onboard. Improved usability was an essential element of development, therefore this version has been restructured and reformatted while made more concise for easier comprehension.
Alongside the restructuring, visual aids in the form of infographics have been created for crew to utilise more interactive resources when following the guidelines. Further information outlining the latest environmental practices has also been included within the content.
Robert van Tol, executive director of the Water Revolution Foundation, says: “The overwhelmingly positive response to the first version of the guidelines demonstrated the yachting industry’s commitment to sustainability. With Version 2, we’re providing crews with even more tools and knowledge to make a real difference in their daily operations.”
Collaboration at the core
In light of this new launch, the team behind the guidelines emphasise that, like in the first version, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to making positive change. These guidelines are not a prescriptive way of doing things onboard but a free, open-to-all resource to help provide direction and drive momentum to make positive changes. Feedback is once again continually welcomed; this iterative approach ensures the resource remains relevant, practical and effective in driving sustainable practices.
The element of collaboration continues to be a strong driving force, with many industry professionals eager to be involved. Water Revolution Foundation has embraced this through its integration with the Seastainable Yachting platform and community, which is a non-profit, purpose-driven platform to help guide the industry toward more environmentally-friendly operational practices. The Seastainable Yachting platform will facilitate all information and resources associated with these guidelines, establishing a central hub for crew and industry professionals looking to collaborate.
Continued support
The guidelines, initiated by MB92, continue to be supported by industry leaders, including Amico & Co., S/Y Black Pearl, Burgess, Da Gama Maritime, Damen Yachting, Divergent Yachting, Feadship, Fraser, Heesen Yachts, Lürssen Yachts, Northrop & Johnson, Oceanco, Pantaenius, Safe Harbor Marinas, Sanlorenzo, Monaco Yacht Show, M/Y Savannah, Superyacht Services Guide, The Crew Network, The OM, Virtual Pursers, Y.CO and YPI Crew, all underscoring the industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Download today
Version 2 of the Environmental Crew Guidelines is now available for free download, reflecting the initiative’s collaborative spirit. Yacht crews, management companies, and industry professionals are encouraged to implement these guidelines and contribute to the ongoing development of environmental operational practices in yachting.
If you have further questions, want to share feedback or actively contribute to the ongoing development of the guidelines, get in touch with us at ecocrew@waterrevolutionfoundation.org.
Access the guidelines.
by Water Revolution Foundation | 4 Jun 2024 | Press Releases
Distinguished yachting industry leaders convened last week for the second edition of the Business Leadership event, organised by Water Revolution Foundation and hosted by Feadship. With a focus on establishing a Regenerative Approach for Yachting, the event featured insightful discussions and exchanges among the scientific community and industry pioneers, culminating in the beginning of a collective journey to develop a roadmap for the yachting sector to become regenerative by 2050.
From Ocean Strategy to Regenerative Approach
Expanding upon the achievements of May 2023’s inaugural industry leader event hosted by Lürssen in Hamburg, which educated attendees about ocean status and impactful conservation initiatives by leading ocean scientists, Water Revolution Foundation’s mission continues with renewed vigour. This year’s focus on regeneration is a direct reflection of the insights gained during the previous event, emphasising the importance of proactive conservation efforts for positive impact investment alongside mitigation strategies to reduce negative impacts – ultimately embracing a new regenerative business model.
“It is fundamental to set one common industry goal and have a widely adopted strategy on how to get there, together. With these targeted events, we challenge and equip company owners and CEOs of dominant players in the yachting market to become change agents, not only leading their companies towards the future, but the entire sector. We are very pleased to provide such a powerful group with a cross-industry strategic platform,” shared Water Revolution’s Executive Director, Robert van Tol.
Setting the stage from the perspective of space
A celebrated figure in the realm of space exploration and scientific research, Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers set a powerful tone for the day by sharing his unique perspective of our blue planet from the vantage point of space. With striking imagery highlighting the devastation of ecosystems over time, he called upon the audience to reduce pressure on nature and give it time to recover, emphasising that this can only be achieved through collaboration and setting ambitious goals.
Guided by science
Water Revolution’s vice-chair and initiator, Dr. Vienna Eleuteri, alongside Professor Adriana del Borghi from the University of Genoa and Blue Economy Specialist Jorge Barbosa, unveiled a regenerative strategy for the yachting industry to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Calling for a shift from mere impact reduction to regeneration, they proposed a climate neutrality plan based on the 3R-model: Reduce, Remove, and Repair. These principles advocate for minimising negative impacts, adopting cleaner alternatives, and actively restoring ecosystems to neutralise any remaining effects and ultimately become net-positive.
“By embracing this structured approach, we can lead the way in demonstrating how luxury and sustainability can coexist. The adoption of these principles will enable our sector to meet regulatory demands, gain consumer and public opinion trust, and ensure long-term viability in an increasingly eco-conscious market,” shared Eleuteri.
Establishing an industry roadmap
With the scientific insights as a foundation, attendees were divided into breakout rooms to gather ideas for an ambitious roadmap implementing the 3-R model across all stages of a yacht’s lifecycle. This collaborative effort resulted in the formation of concrete actions for the coming years, demonstrating strong alignment among stakeholders on the necessary steps to achieve regeneration.
To conclude the day, Feadship CEO Jan-Bart Verkuyl called on attendees to mark their commitment to the regenerative approach and participation in this monumental event.
Industry innovations
Inspiring presentations also came from within the industry, including valuable insights on Foundation Zero, an open-source platform aimed at fostering a mentality of shared innovation and collective R&D to accelerate progress, and Feadship’s environmental initiatives concerning both product and process innovation.
The path ahead
The discussions initiated during this event signify the beginning of a transformative journey towards a regenerative future for yachting. Moving forward, Water Revolution Foundation will collaborate with attendees to refine the generated ideas and incorporate input into an industry roadmap taking concrete actions aligned with the principles of Reduce, Remove, and Repair. As stated by Feadship CEO & Chairman of Water Revolution Foundation, Henk de Vries: “This is not just about furthering our business – it’s about making sure we have a business for the future.”
Participating companies
This event owes its success to the pioneering organisations whose representatives were integral participants: Abeking & Rasmussen, AkzoNobel, Azimut|Benetti, Bluewater Yachting, BNP Paribas, Burgess Yachts, Clyde & Co, Döhle Yachts, Dykstra Naval Architects, Espen Oeino International, Feadship, Ferretti Group, F/LIST, Fraser Yachts, Heesen Yachts, Luise Group, Lürssen Yachts, MB92 Group, Oceanco, RWD, Sanlorenzo, Safe Harbor Marinas, Safe Harbor Rybovich, Seable&Co, Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, SYBAss, Tankoa, The Superyacht Group, VBH, Vripack, Winch Design, and Wright Maritime Group.
by Water Revolution Foundation | 7 Feb 2024 | Press Releases
Version 1 of the Environmental Crew Guidelines has officially been launched, marking a pivotal moment in steering the yachting fleet toward more sustainable practices. This comprehensive guide, highlighting best practices written for-and-by crew, offers information and inspiration for eco-friendlier behaviour onboard yachts.
As a collaborative effort between Water Revolution Foundation, initiator MB92, and creator Danella Hopkins (formerly of S/Y Black Pearl), this free and open-source tool offers 24 distinct sections providing crews with a detailed, holistic overview of how to adopt more conscious practices into their daily routines. Contributions from industry experts and crew members alike have ensured that a diverse range of perspectives and experiences are included. As a first version, the aim is to collect feedback and additional best practices from crew to expand on the content and launch a Version 2 in the future.
Powered by industry leaders
To ensure the widespread adoption of these guidelines and enable a united, coordinated action, industry trailblazers MB92, Burgess, Damen Yachting, Divergent Yachting, Feadship, Fraser Yachts, Heesen Yachts, Lürssen, Oceanco, Safe Harbor Marinas, Sanlorenzo, The Crew Network, The OM, Virtual Pursers, Y.CO, and YPI Crew have pledged their commitment as official supporting companies. S/Y Black Pearl and MY Savannah have also come onboard as ambassadors within the fleet. The dedication of these organisations distinguishes them as true change agents, guiding the way forward for a more eco-friendly yachting sector.
”These clear guidelines are applicable to every size and type of yacht operation and by sharing them with our crews as part of our fleetwide sustainability efforts, we hope to provide a strong foundation for better onboard environmental practices and show that any yacht, regardless of its size or build, can make a big difference in little ways,” shares yacht management company Y.CO.
Addressing yachting’s environmental impact
While many technical and digital solutions have already been introduced to drive the superyacht industry’s energy transition, these developments address only one facet of the challenge. A transition in onboard practices is also crucial: “There are immediate actions that crew can take on board to introduce more environmentally-friendly practices, which can significantly reduce emissions (by up to 30%), whether by optimising temperature settings, making slight adjustments to cruising speeds or employing effective resource management,” says MB92.
Therefore, this initiative will provide crew with an extensive knowledge base and practical tools in order to foster a concrete shift toward sustainable superyacht operations.
Inside the guidelines
Organised under three overarching themes – ‘Onboarding Guidelines,’ ‘General Guidelines,’ and ‘Departmental Guidelines’ – this document caters to crew at every level. The onboarding guidelines emphasise ways in which crew can cultivate an environmental mindset and commit to improved operational practices. Fundamental principles and standards applicable to all crew members in their daily tasks are outlined in the general guidelines, while the departmental guidelines delve deeper, addressing the unique needs and individual responsibilities of each department. “We understand that environmental sustainability can be challenging to accomplish onboard and there is no one-size-fits-all approach,” states Executive Director of Water Revolution Foundation, Robert van Tol. “By working together with crew, we hope to inspire and facilitate this powerful group to minimise their yacht’s daily footprint where possible.”
To ensure proper enforcement onboard, the guidelines introduce the nomination of an “Eco-Sustainability Ambassador” (ESA). This dedicated crew member will collaborate with Heads of Departments (HODs) to streamline processes and drive the implementation of initiatives by supporting crew, monitoring progress, and reporting achievements.
“Our industry can collectively create lasting change in its outlook and operations by working together, and these guidelines will help yacht crews and shoreside management teams reduce their environmental impact through improved efficiency and better practices,” states Burgess. “When passionate individuals are given the chance to do the work they believe in, good things can happen, and in this way, we are committed to building a more environmentally aware and responsible industry.”
Download now
In the spirit of collaboration and unity, we invite you to join the movement aimed at achieving a substantial accumulated reduction in the environmental impact of the 5,500 30m+ fleet through behavioural shifts and the sharing of best practices. To maximise positive impact among crews and vessels across the globe, you are encouraged to read, implement, and distribute the Environmental Crew Guidelines.
The continued support of companies in the yachting industry is essential to foster industry-wide adoption of the guidelines and establish a minimum standard. Those who come onboard will gain recognition, obtain individual chapters upon request, receive a Supporter Stamp to signify commitment, and have the opportunity to share feedback and additional best practices, actively contributing to the ongoing development of the document. Get in touch with us at ecocrew@waterrevolutionfoundation.org to express your interest.
Access the guidelines.