66Isea&iISPRING-SUMMER 2010With 70 per cent of the planet's surface covered by water,oceans have become a hot topic and awareness hasrecently risen exponentially. In 2009 we saw the firstWorld Oceans Day, which concluded that environmentalimpact on our oceans has largely gone unnoticed. Furthermore,the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force set up by PresidentObama last year set out its policy for protection and restorationof the seas. These measures couldn't have come soon enoughas the UN estimates that 90 per cent of stocks of all large fishhave already been depleted, and at the current rate of pollutionthere may be no fishing by 2048. The increasing volume of sea traffic is naturally of particularconcern to yacht owners, and has resulted in environmentalregulations in all areas of industry that relate to vessels onthe water. For the superyacht industry, the Italian-basedclassification society RINA has launched a goal-based classnotation called Green Plus. This is given to new vessels thatmake a significant investment in design solutions, on-boardequipment and operational procedures, thereby contributing toan improvement in environmental performance beyondminimum levels required by official international regulations.This incentive-led classification is based on an environmentalperformance index that covers all aspects of the vessel's impacton the environment, including its carbon emissions. Design and equipment categories assessed includeinnovative engine design, alternative fuels, high-efficiencypropellers, optimal hull designs and biodegradable oils.Operational categories include correct use of equipment,planned itineraries and crew training in environmentalawareness. The new Green Plus classification was first awardedto the 62m (203') RoMa from Viareggio SuperYachts. RoMa'sowner, who was seeking the ultimate in performance, used thelatest materials and technological innovations and was preparedto invest in the most innovative green technologies to ensurethat their yacht achieved the highest levels of efficiency andthe lowest environmental impact. This is just one example of how the industry is taking stepsto reduce its impact on the environment. Over the followingpages, sea&ihighlights further efforts that pave the way fora more ethical future on our oceans.nForward focus The wellbeing of the environment has long been a topic of intense internationaldebate; thankfully the world is now doingmore than merely talking. In this 16-page 'green' supplement, sea&ibrings you up to speed on the yachts, builders anddesigners that areshining a light on thefuture of more responsible yachting Photography: Bugsy Gedlek

Our oceans face many complex environmental issues, from marinepollution to deep-sea trawling, dying coral reefs,whaling, climate change and a substantial increase in sea traffic. It is time to right the wrongsOpposite page and above:the 62m (203') RoMa fromViareggio SuperYachts