As we celebrate World Ocean Day on 8 June, take time to reflect on the wonders of the ocean — a vast beautiful expanse, but also remember the challenges for this fragile ecosystem that sustains life across the planet. For those who travel its waters, it’s clear that the health of the ocean is directly linked to how we operate on our ships. From waste management to resource conservation, every decision on board matters.
At COLUMBIA cruise services, the focus is on fostering a culture of sustainability amongst the crew, ensuring that every action taken at sea contributes to a cleaner, healthier environment.
Creating a sustainable culture on board
For sustainability to truly take root, it must be woven into the daily fabric of life at sea. This begins with educating the crew on the importance of their role in preserving the environment. Understanding the impact of their actions, from reducing waste to conserving resources is essential for creating lasting change.
Training programmes go beyond simply checking off tasks. They empower crew members to make decisions that positively impact the environment, whether it’s ensuring food waste is minimised in the restaurants or that recyclables are properly sorted and disposed of. Small daily habits, when adopted by everyone, create a ship-wide culture of sustainability.
Tracking and reducing waste
Waste is one of the most visible and manageable ways to make a difference. By tracking what is being discarded on board, crew members can identify areas where waste can be reduced or recycled.
Food waste, in particular, is an area where small adjustments can have a big impact. By refining portion sizes and improving food storage practices, much of what was previously wasted can be saved or reused. Similarly, paying attention to packaging and limiting single-use plastics makes a significant difference in reducing overall waste.
Tracking waste across departments ensures that all teams are aware of their contribution and can actively work together to reduce the ship’s environmental footprint.
Sustainability across all departments
Sustainability isn’t confined to waste management, it stretches across every aspect of ship operations. From how energy is used to how water is conserved, every department plays a part in reducing the ship’s overall environmental impact.
Crew members are trained to optimise energy use, ensuring that lights are switched off when not in use, machinery operates efficiently, and fuel consumption is monitored closely. Likewise, water conservation practices are ingrained in the daily routines, from managing laundry loads to ensuring that water is used responsibly in guest areas and the galley.
Responsibility and ownership
Creating a sustainable ship is not a task left to one department or group of individuals; it requires a collective effort. When every crew member takes ownership of their actions and understands the broader impact of their decisions, sustainability becomes a shared responsibility.
Encouraging open dialogue is a key component in building this sense of responsibility. Crew members are not only trained but also encouraged to share their ideas and collaborate on finding innovative ways to reduce the ship’s environmental footprint. This ongoing communication helps to ensure that sustainability is always top of mind, evolving as new opportunities for improvement arise.
Safeguarding the oceans we sail on
At its core, sustainability is about ensuring the health of the oceans we depend on. The small steps taken onboard, from reducing waste and conserving energy to managing water use, are all part of a bigger mission: to protect and preserve the oceans for future generations.
At COLUMBIA cruise services, the crew’s dedication to sustainability helps ensure that the oceans remain as vibrant as ever. Through consistent education and engagement, every member of the crew becomes a vital part of the solution, contributing to the overall health of the seas they sail on.
