The Green Blue University Sailing Sustainability Challenge winners announced

The Green Blue announce this year's award winners © Paul Wyeth

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and British Marine's joint environment initiative, 'The Green Blue' has today (29 February) announced the winners of this year's University Sailing Sustainability Challenge at the RYA Dinghy Show.

Now in its fifth year, the awards challenge university sailing clubs to practice and promote environmental best practice, both at sea and on-shore.

The fourteen clubs that joined the challenge from across the Country had to achieve and evidence a variety of sustainability actions within the six month period. These actions included installing an Oil and Fuel Spill Kit, displaying green guide posters and reducing the use of plastic bottles at events.

All clubs which successfully completed the tasks in their award categories received a certificate and were entered into the prize draw. The prizes were drawn on the Great Hall Stage by Kate Fortnam, The Green Blue Campaign Manager, and Karen Thomas, Chair of the British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA). Bath University won £600 as the winners of the Silver category and UEA University Sailing Club won £300 in the Bronze category.

The Green Blue's Kate Fortnam commented, "I was delighted to see that so many university sailing clubs took part in the challenge this year. It's great to see so many young people working to make the sport they love more sustainable."

"Looking forward to next year we would love to see even more clubs becoming more environmentally aware and raising the profile of these positive actions. Many of the sustainable changes are simple steps that any amateur sailor or sailing club can implement to protect the water and wildlife habitats that we share."

To find out more about how you can make your boating more sustainable or to take part in next year's challenge please visit: thegreenblue.org.uk