Environment and Sustainability Policy

Introduction & Scope

Cody Sailing Club is a “virtual” club run entirely by volunteers. We operate without permanent premises or staff, meaning our environmental footprint is primarily focused on our mobility and the various locations we visit. Our activities include daysailing from public and private slipways, and camping-based sailing holidays and sailing adventuring in both inland and tidal waters.

As an organization that relies on the health of marine and freshwater ecosystems, we are committed to minimizing our impact and protecting the environments that host us.

We do and will continue to crowd-source education and advice from across the expertise of the club to assist members and the club as a whole to manage the transition to a more sustainable way of operating as the rest of society transitions over time as well.

Biosecurity & Invasive Species

The movement of boats and trailers between different inland water bodies represents our highest environmental risk.

  • Check, Clean, Dry: We mandate the RYA/The Green Blue “Check, Clean, Dry” protocol where required. Members must ensure that boats, trailers, and equipment are checked for organic matter, cleaned, and thoroughly dried before moving between different water locations – including removing seaweeds before towing away from a given location.
  • Equipment: We require members to pay particular attention to “trap points” such as trolley wheels, bailers, and daggerboard wells where invasive species or standing water may be harbored.

On-Water Stewardship

We aim to leave the waters we sail in exactly as we found them.

  • Habitat Protection: We promote the use of established launching and landing points to avoid damaging sensitive shorelines, saltmarshes, or reed beds.
  • Wildlife Awareness: Members are expected to respect local wildlife by maintaining a safe distance from nesting birds, hauled-out seals, and other sensitive species, adhering to local “Codes of Conduct.”
  • Pollution Prevention: While we do not operate a safety fleet. We encourage the use of electric propulsion for members’ boats where practical to do so, while recognising that camping off-grid is a challenge to charging electric outboard batteries. Where fossil fuels are unavoidably used, through education and advice we encourage and use best practices in engine maintenance by maintaining our club outboards to a high standard, promote the use of fuels and additives which minimise environmental impact, and provide the right equipment for refuelling, to prevent spills.
  • Sustainable Navigation: We publicize and respect voluntary “no-anchor” zones and sensitive seabed habitats (e.g., seagrass) in our event briefings.

Sustainable Camping & Land Use

When staying at host locations or “wild” camping sites, we operate on a “Leave No Trace” basis.

  • Waste Management: We operate a “Pack in, Pack out” policy. Where site facilities are not available, all domestic waste is removed by members for responsible recycling or disposal.
  • Water & Chemicals: We require the use of biodegradable, phosphate-free detergents and soaps. No grey water or cleaning products are to be disposed of directly into the watercourse.
  • Sanitation: We mandate the use of environmentally friendly products for the management of black waste/chemical toilets.
  • Energy: We minimize electricity demand by preferring off-grid camping, utilizing solar generation and battery storage systems for club activities.

Travel & Administration

We recognize the carbon footprint associated with being a mobile club and seek to mitigate it through efficient planning.

  • Transport: We encourage car-sharing and the consolidation of club boat users into as few vehicles as practical where practical to reduce total mileage.
  • Virtual Operations: To minimize travel, all committee meetings are held virtually.
  • Paperless Administration: We operate a digital-first policy. Newsletters, membership forms, and event information are distributed electronically to eliminate paper waste and physical post.
  • Continuous Improvement: Environmental impact is a standing item on our committee agenda. We use our digital platforms to educate members on environmental innovations and best practices.

Commitment to Review

Our club Sustainability Lead acts as the lead for environmental matters. This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains compliant with RYA guidelines and reflects the latest environmental best practices for recreational boating.