The initiative, driven by Boris Weitzmann and ACPET, brings environmental education to Europe’s largest boat show.
The Econàutic project, driven by Boris Weitzmann, the Coordinator of Marine Activities for the Alive Foundation, together with Xavi Munill from ACPET (Associació Catalana de Ports Esportius i Turístics), was launched with a clear objective: to promote a more sustainable, respectful and environmentally-conscious recreational boating.
With the certainty, and starting from the premise, that no mariner wants a sea in poor condition, the project assumes that many improper practices do not stem from bad faith but from ignorance. That is why Econàutic is committed to environmental education as a fundamental pillar for bringing about real changes in the habits of people who enjoy the sea, and it is for this reason that the Fundació Alive supports this project.
A visual and accessible booklet to reach everyone.
The core of the project is the booklet ‘Econàutica Recreativa’, a guide to good practice designed for recreational boating. Its format is characterised by a very close first-person narrative, with minimal text and numerous illustrations, which make for quick, intuitive and engaging reading.
The aim is for any sailor, regardless of their level of experience, to be able to understand how to reduce the impact of their actions and make more responsible decisions in the marine environment.
From Catalonia to BOOT Düsseldorf
Thanks to the support of the Agència Catalana de Turisme, the project made the leap internationally with its presentation at BOOT Düsseldorf, Europe‘s most important boating show. For this occasion, the booklet was translated into German and presented to an international industry audience.
The guide is now available in five languages: Catalan, Spanish, English, French and German.
Open resources to raise awareness
All the project’s material can be viewed and downloaded for free from the Econàutic website.
Econàutic argues that nature conservation is, in large part, about awareness and knowledge. If we better understand the impact of our actions, we are in a better position to protect the sea and ensure its future.
This project is not just about good practices, but about a new way of understanding recreational boating: a way of enjoying the sea that is compatible with its preservation.
