My boys grew up on the Pacific Ocean. They sailed weekly and their playground included other visitors—from sea lions and dolphins to migrating whales. Just like kids who care about their local parks, they felt a deep sense of responsibility for their ocean neighborhood. They each owned large nets to make sure they picked up trash that populated their play space.
It is unfortunate, but my boys spent a lot of time scooping up trash from the Pacific Ocean. Still, they never complained. As sailors, they knew that caring for the ocean wasn’t optional—it was part of the job.
The ocean has never just been a place we pass through—it’s alive. It gives, it connects, and it sustains so much more than we often realize. As someone who’s spent countless hours out on the water, I can tell you—it gets under your skin. It becomes part of you. And that’s why, for those of us who sail, who boat, or who simply love the sea, Earth Day isn’t just a calendar date.
It’s a reminder. A nudge to keep showing up, to keep doing the work. Because caring for the ocean isn’t something we check off once a year—it’s something we’re responsible for every single day.
The Reality Beneath the Surface
Today, over 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. Imagine dumping a garbage truck full of plastic into the sea every minute and you can come close to what we are doing. If we don’t change course, that number is expected to nearly triple by 2040.
And this isn’t someone else’s problem.
Roughly 40% of the world’s population—about 3 billion people—live within 100 kilometers of a coast. Nearly every sailor, whether on a lake, bay, or the open ocean, is part of a community directly tied to a waterway. We all share a common bond and a common responsibility: to leave the ocean better than we found it.
What Sailors Can Do
Sailors are in a unique position to make a meaningful difference. We are the eyes and ears of the ocean. We see what others can’t. We witness the changes—floating plastic bottles, discarded fishing nets, and dying coral reefs. But we can also be the solution.
Here’s how:
- Carry Clean-Up Gear: Equip your boat with a net or grabber to collect floating debris. Make it a habit to scoop up trash during every sail.
- Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Use refillable water bottles, reusable bags, and containers onboard. Minimize the plastic you bring onto your vessel. LEARN: Plastic items you can stop bringing onboard today.
- Respect Wildlife: Keep a respectful distance from marine animals and avoid disrupting their natural behavior. Choose eco-friendly sunscreens and cleaning supplies that won’t harm marine life.
- Report Environmental Hazards: If you see an oil spill, injured wildlife, or illegal dumping, report it to the Coast Guard or local authorities.
- Shop Smart — Buy One, Pull One: Remember, through our partnership with 4Ocean, when you buy an article of apparel, you pull a pound of plastic from the ocean. Shop smart with programs such as 4Ocean.
- Educate Fellow Sailors: Lead by example. Show new sailors how to respect and care for the ocean. Turn your sailing club into a hub for marine stewardship.
Where to Volunteer
Looking to do more than just pick up trash from your boat? There are plenty of opportunities for sailors to volunteer and make an impact:
- Ocean Conservancy – Participate in the International Coastal Cleanup, one of the world’s largest volunteer efforts for ocean health.
- Surfrider Foundation – Local chapters host beach cleanups, advocate for clean water policies, and protect coastal access.
- Sea Shepherd Conservation Society – For the more adventurous, this organization offers direct-action opportunities to protect marine life.
- The Rozalia Project – Focuses on ocean cleanups and marine debris education, with sailing-based missions around the U.S.
- Sailors for the Sea – Offers the Green Boating Guide and encourages regattas to become certified as Clean Regattas, helping reduce waste at sailing events.
The World Ocean Is Everyone’s Responsibility
This Earth Day, let’s talk about the ocean—not as a distant expanse, but as part of our home. For sailors, the sea is not just a backdrop to adventure; it’s our co-pilot, our challenge, and our peace. And just like any good neighbor, we must do our part to care for it.
If we each take a little more time to remove debris, educate those around us, and make sustainable choices onboard and at home, the cumulative effect could be profound. Imagine a global fleet of sailors working together to restore the ocean—one harbor, one bay, one coastline at a time.
So today, and every day, ask yourself: What kind of sailor do I want to be? The kind that simply rides the waves, or the kind that helps protect them?
The choice is ours. And the ocean is waiting.
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