For those who make their living from the sea and see it as a means for transportation, leisure and work, concern with its sustainability is instinctive. For this reason, BBDouro has become a partner in the #probablybetternow movement.
Established in 2012, BBDouro is a Sailing Academy and maritime-tourism operator, holding the largest fleet of sailing boats in the North of Portugal. Headquartered at the Douro Marina, in Vila Nova de Gaia, its objective is to promote and develop sailing as a sport accessible to everyone.
Since its foundation, BBDouro has sought to be a responsible company in the environmental and social responsibility sectors. But, due to its strong connection to the sea, actions focussing on maritime sustainability and protection are one of the company’s main centres of attention.
Since making a difference depends on our individual actions, BBDouro’s Junior Academy has been organising a monthly clean-up of the Douro Marina beach since 2018, thus contributing to a reduction of the waste present in this coastal area and consequently, to lessen the amount of waste washed out to sea. Each action has the intent of raising social awareness to the need of a cleaner Portuguese coast.
In 2020, BBDouro took a second step in its sustainability journey by acquiring a Seabin, a type of container that floats in water, works as a vacuum cleaner and is capable of collecting 20 kgs of rubbish a day and of filtering about 25 thousand litres of water per hour.
The growing concern with environmental impact and the protection of marine life were on the agenda during the organisation of the World Sailing Championship, which took place between the 7th and 12th of May 2021, at the Douro Marina. In order to reduce the environmental impact of the world championship, BBDouro got together with the prestigious association Sailors for the Sea to make the whole organisation of the event as sustainable as possible. And, after the regattas had taken place, a beach clean-up was organised with several participants.
Is it possible to do more for a better tomorrow? Probably.
Therefore, BBDouro is already sketching out the next goals on the way to less environmental impact and to greater awareness of the problem. The monthly beach clean-up action, carried out by the Junior Academy, is going to be extended to the school’s remaining sailing academies, as well as to parents, boating licence students, clients and all those who wish to join us. Until 2022, BBDouro intends to organise a clean-up action of the Northern Portuguese coast with the duration of half a day.