SmartVoyager – ecological certification
In 2000, Ecoventura became one of the first recipients of SmartVoyager, a voluntary environmental program developed by Corporacion y Desarollo from Ecuador and The Rainforest Alliance from New York. In order to comply with SmartVoyager, tour boats have to meet a strict set of conservation and social standards that were designed by scientists, conservation experts and tour operators based on principals to conserve natural ecosystems, reduction of negative impacts on the environment, risk of introduction and extraction of species and conservation of Native/ Endemic species, just and fair treatment of workers, community relations and local welfare, control of the supply and storage of supplies, integrated waste management and emissions control, security, quality control, planning and monitoring.
Through an initiative of President and Owner Santiago Dunn, Ecoventura has invested upwards of $500,000 to refurbish its fleet of four expedition yachts in order to meet these stringent ecology-minded standards. See SmartVoyager certification program requirements here:
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/tourism/documents/smartvoyager_boat_norms.pdf
In order to comply, all our yachts produce their own fresh water through reverse osmosis desalinization units, and use only four stroke outboard engines on the Zodiacs. Four stroke engines are 70% quieter, emit virtually no fumes and consume 50% less fuel than two-stroke engines. Tour boats must use only lead-free or TBT-free paint. No varnish is applied to the exterior walkways. Only yellow exterior lights can be used so they do not attract insects. The cooling elements used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems are free of R-12 gas that could potentially escape and add to the green-house effect.
Wastewater is contained in holding tanks while a yacht is in port or close to shore. After a stringent treatment process of black and gray wastewater done through purified ozone, the water is discharged when the yachts are 12 miles from the coast in accordance with MARPOL.
Only biodegradable soaps and detergents are used for cleaning on board the yachts. The standards also require an improved quality of life including sanitary living conditions, medical insurance and advanced training for all crew members.
There is a waste management system and garbage-recycling program onboard all Ecoventura yachts with garbage receptacles placed on all decks with separate containers for plastics, paper, glass and organic waste. Passengers are encouraged to reduce, recycle and conserve energy during their cruise. Signs are posted in each cabin to remind our guests to recycle. Passengers refill water bottles from a container of purified drinking water.
Crew training plays a vital role in reducing and recycling waste. Organic waste is compacted and discharged and inorganic sold waste is classified into paper, glass and plastic and turned into the local municipal waste service and recycling center. Our policy is to change towels daily. However, in order to conserve energy, we only change towels that are placed on the floor.
All marketing materials including brochures are printed on MOHAWK Options 100% post-consumer paper that is manufactured with wind power and certified by Green Seal and SmartWood for FSC standards.
In 2005, Santiago Dunn, President of Ecoventura, was presented with the prestigious Individual Sustainable Standard-Setter for making a significant contribution to environmental conservation and sustainability. Santiago Dunn says his goal was to inspire others as well as to be part of the solution for the issues facing tourism in Galapagos. It was a big commitment to participate initially in the SmartVoyager program because it added considerable costs to the operation as well as an initial investment. However, our involvement only motivated us to continue striving to reduce the impact of our operation on the environment.
Become active in your local nature or environmental groups such as The Rainforest Alliance www.rainforest-alliance.org.
What you can do to help us conserve Galapagos:
During the cruise, passengers are reminded to reduce, reuse and recycle. Use the receptacles placed on all decks with separate containers for plastics, paper, glass and organic waste.
Our policy is to change towels daily. However, in order to conserve energy, we only change towels that are placed on the floor.
Refill water bottles from our containers of purified water made from our reverse osmosis water mater - or better yet, bring your own non-plastic water bottles such as those found at www.kleankanteen.com
Bring only biodegradable sunscreens and lotions. Ecoventura will supply you with biodegradable soap, shampoo and conditioner.
Purchase your adventure gear with an environmentally-friendly manufacturer such as Timberland, Patagonia or REI.
Ecoventura brochures are printed on MOHAWK Options, a 100% post-consumer paper, that is manufactured with wind power and certified by Green Seal and SmartWood for FSC standards. Please reuse our brochure and give it a friend.
Do not use disposable cameras. The less garbage you leave in the islands, the better. Please bring any packaging back with you to dispose of in the mainland.
During the cruise, follow all the National park rules; they include:
- Do not disturb or remove any native plant, rock or animal on land or in the water.
- Be careful not to transport any live material or sand to the islands.
- Do not take any food or drink except water to the uninhabited islands.
- Do not touch, pet or feed the wildlife.
- You must stay within several feet and avoid taking any flash photography
- Do not startle or chase any animal from its nesting place.
- Do not leave any trash on the Islands or throw any litter overboard.
- Follow the marked trails at all times and do not walk out of their limits.
- Stay together with your guide who must accompany all passengers on the trails.
- Do not buy souvenirs of objects made from native Galapagos products (except for wood) especially black coral, sea lion teeth and shells of the Galapagos tortoises. There is no smoking permitted on the islands.
For more tips and insight, watch the new IGTOA DVD filmed in 2007 aboard an Ecoventura yacht. Galapagos Network is a founding member of IGTOA, International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (www.igtoa.org), a non-profit trade organization. Travelers can make donations IGTOA of which 60% goes straight to the Galapagos Conservency and the rest goes toward the group’s mission of furthering responsible tourism in Galapagos (www.igtoa.org/funding).