Eco-Luxury Yachting: 4 Companies Who Treat Our Oceans Right

My husband’s grandfather, Jacques Cousteau, sailed the seas in the iconic Calypso for decades.  She was a refurbished mine sweeper made famous by her legendary exploits exploring the oceans of the world.  But, like all boats similar to her, she had an insatiable appetite for fuel.  Jacques always saw her dependence on diesel as a major burden due to its high cost and detrimental impacts on the environment. As a result he endeavored to find a better way.  The result? The Alcyone, a ship that combined wind technology and hydrodynamics reducing her need of fossil fuels by 35%.  An amazing feat in 1980 and technology has only gotten better over mari-time (ha, ok that was a cheesy pun).

Today, we have 100% solar boats, all electric boats and boats that are fully made of recycled marine plastics.  But if you are a truly looking for a baller move, here are some Eco Super Yachts that are available for charter.

Mirabella III – I love sail boats, you can’t beat their beautiful lines and sound of wind in their sails.  This beauty sleeps 10 with a crew of 7, has a state of the art grey water system and collects ocean data as she sails to aid in conservation studies.  Even the golf balls used on the Mirabella’s on deck driving range biodegrade.  Fore for the fishes.

The Savannah houses 12 guests (and a crew of 26!!!) at a length of 274 feet.  Her special propulsion system has 5 different operating modes from fully electric to diesel-electric hybrid and standard diesel mode.  But the Savannah lowers her fuel consumption of the latter by 30% due to her specially designed streamlined hull.  Oh, and there are multiple swimming pools on deck…WHAT?!?  She is available for “occasional charters to select clients”.

Imagine a gorgeous boat that runs on rechargeable batteries…well the Ethereal does just that!  She uses an electro-mechanical propulsion system…the first superyacht of its kind.  This means the Ethereal can run on stored energy for an extended period of time.  And she has a regulation size diving board and a hammock on the bow. Energy efficient and enviable.  Twelve guests, sails Australia and the South Pacific.

And of course, while you are basking in the sun on the deck of one of these bad boys, you must have the right bathing suit!  Check out Volcom’s new collection (in conjunction with Aquafil) made from old fishing nets and other discarded plastics.   There is estimated to be 640,000 tons of abandoned  fishing nets floats in our oceans which fish, turtles, whales, sharks, birds and more get tangled in daily and perish.  Taking these nets out of the sea and repurposing them into cute swimwear is a win, win in my Eco Luxury book.