As a boat owner, it’s imperative to give back to the environment. Having boat insurance will help you out with the costs of your boat, but it’s up to you as an individual to reduce your own output and ensure that there is still a beach for you and all of the creatures living in that ecosystem. This week, beaches are incredibly vulnerable to trash: fireworks, plastics, bottles and cans galore end up en masse on beaches without anyone to clean them up. July 4th is the worst day of them all: it is one of the most littered days of the year.
Over the past 30 years, Ocean Conservancy has picked up over 220 million pounds of trash, with scientists estimating 8 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. July 1-7 is Clean Beaches Week, and it’s more important than ever to be aware of your environment and where your trash is going, especially your plastics. If you’re a boat owner or beach lover who wants to contribute to the benefit of the environment, here’s how to help the coast during Clean Beaches Week, courtesy of National Today.
Go to the Beach
One of the best ways to celebrate Clean Beaches Week is by going to a beach and having a great time. Over the year, about 180 million Americans make two billion trips to the beach. Head to a beach close to you, and cut down your carbon emissions by taking public transport. Walk, ride a bike, take the train or take the bus: whatever suits your fancy. Even carpooling can assist with reducing your carbon emissions. While you’re there, eat a healthy seafood meal and get active. Participate in playing, surfing, fishing, walking or reading during your beach visit. If you want to go boating, consider taking a break from the large boats and enjoy a ride on a kayak or a canoe.
Clean Up a Beach
After visiting a beach, it’s now time to clean the beach. Make sure you’re leaving no trace of trash, leaving the beach the way you originally found it. Other things you can do is participate in a beach clean-up to collect trash that the others have left behind. There’s groups who dedicate their time to cleaning up beaches that one can get involved with. If you want to get involved, contact the Clean Beaches Coalition for more information.
Watch and Learn
With over 372,000 combines miles of coastline, it’s paramount to become more aware of the environment around you. You can learn more about the coast by watching a documentary like Mission Blue, The Blue Planet or A Plastic Ocean. This week was founded in 2003 and it has a long life ahead of it, with over 150 coastal governors, mayors and county commissions claiming support of this week, according to Clean Beaches Coalition.
While you can insure a boat with boat insurance, the ocean can’t be insured for protection. That’s why it’s up to us as humans to protect and care for the environment around us.
About Mariners Insurance
Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (800) 992-4443 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.
