Superyacht Crew Tackle Plastic on Sydney's Beaches

The Superyacht Beach Clean Project is an initiative of Ocean Alliance and, at their first beach clean day last weekend, they were joined by superyacht crew and yachting professionals to remove plastic deposited on the beaches of Sydney Harbour.

With the backing of the environmental and educational group, Take 3, they collected over 20,000 pieces of plastic rubbish and 200 recyclable bottles and cans. Volunteer yacht crew ferried people beween three sites where the group cleaned over 300 metres of harbourfront.

Managing Director of Ocean Alliance, Joachim Howard, explains,

“It is fundamentally important to the Ocean Alliance team as well as the crew of the yachts we represent, that we make personal endeavours to tackle the ocean’s plastic epidemic. As humans, the ocean gives us so much and we have a duty of care to the earth and each other.

"Furthermore, it is the international year of Sustainable Tourism so we cannot, in good conscience, operate a company and yachts which promote marine tourism and not ensure this resource is cared for. The superyachts we manage have the ability to conduct ocean research thanks to their ambitious itineraries through the year.”

Laurie Foulon, Charter Manager for Ocean Alliance, adds,

“Throughout Ocean Alliance’s recent travels to local and international Yacht Shows, we observed the proactivity of the superyacht industry worldwide through some fantastic initiatives, such as beach cleanings, conferences and challenges towards plastic-free charter yachts. We believe that the yachting industry in Australia has the opportunity to develop strategies towards plastic-free superyachts, and are passionate about the crew on our superyachts to undertake initiatives on board.” 

Ocean Alliance is a charter brokerage and yacht services company based in Sydney, representing a fleet of superyachts in Australia and the South Pacific.  Also based in Sydney, Take 3 encourages the general public to engage in the simple act of collecting three pieces of rubbish from beaches, waterways or wherever they find them. 

“We were really excited when the Ocean Alliance team approached us to support our mission to reduce global plastic pollution through education and participation. This is a new channel for us and we think a great one as the yachts and their crew are so intertwined with the health of our oceans and they can take the message global,” said co-founder and CEO  of Take 3, Tim Silverwood.

Scientists estimate that 8 million tonnes of plastic waste end up in the world’s oceans each year, with 80% coming from the land and 20% from activities at sea. Through education and encouraging the participation of the general public, Take 3 aims to remove three million pieces of plastic rubbish from the environment over the next three years.

Among the superyachts committed to the ocean protection and research, M/Y BELUGA was involved in the Australian production, Blue The Film, which documents recent changes to the ocean and the Great Barrier Reef.

“I have made my career on the ocean and although I am still in awe of it, it is being suffocated by plastic. Fortunately, the owner of BELUGA, the crew and our agent, Ocean Alliance, believe in its preservation so we are actively involved in its conversation. I applaud Jo and Laurie from Ocean Alliance for a great initiative.” said Captain Bob Nabal.

Laurie Foulon, Joachim Howard and Tim Silverman

Ocean Alliance launched the Sea-through beach cleanup event last weekend and have plans to take the initiative further afield as more and more yacht crew and charter guests are keen to get involved.

“It was a really successful event – we had more crew involvement than we expected and collected more rubbish than anticipated. We are working towards our next event in Australia sometime this summer.” said Jo Howard.

Ocean Alliance and Take 3 would like to thank all those who gave their time and effort for the inaugural Sea-through – The Superyacht Beach Clean Initiative:
Captain and crew of 37m MASTEKA 2
Captain and crew of 37m GHOST II
Crew of 42m TANGO 

Captain and crew of MURCIELAGO 

Scott Dillon from R Marine Pittwater
Massi Zambon from Sundance Marine 

Marcel Vaarzon-Morel from Vaarzon Morel Solicitors 

Dom from Sydney Harbour Escapes 
 

*Photo Credit: Fabreezy for Ocean Alliance

About Take 3

Take 3 was started in 2009 when surfing enthusiast, Amanda Marechal, and marine ecologist, Roberta Dixon-Valk decided to tackle the growing problem of marine debris. Together with environmentalist, Tim Silverwood, they registered Take 3 in 2010 and the following year they were awarded Taronga Conservation Society’s Green Grant and a $50,000 prize, allowing them to expand the project further.   

To support Take3 see more information here and follow the hashtag #TAKE3FORTHESEA

"Simply take three pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, waterway, or anywhere..."