SmartVoyager – ecological certification
Ecoventura became one of the first recipients in 2000 of an environmental certification program called SmartVoyager. Smart Voyager is a voluntary program developed by The Rainforest Alliance and Convervacion y Desarollo from Ecuador. The program minimalizes the impact of tour boats in the Galapagos Islands by improving social and environmental conditions of boat operations. This “green seal of approval” gives travelers the assurance that they are supporting a tour company that cares about the environment, wildlife conservation, and the well-being of workers and local communities.
In order to comply with SmartVoyager, our tour boats had to meet a strict set of conservation and social standards that were designed by scientists, conservation experts and tour operators. They protect against potential sources of pollution; set rules for the good management of docks, tour boats and dinghies; specify criteria for the procurement and management of supplies; and defend against opportunities for introducing alien species.
Tour boats must produce their own fresh water through reverse osmosis desalinization units, a method that purifies water with ozone and eliminate chlorine discharge into the ocean. Treatment of black and gray wastewater is done through purified ozone. Bacteria based liquids are used for wastewater treatment and are poured on the holding tanks of black waters to accelerate the biodegradable process before being released into the ocean 12 miles from the coast as required by International regulations such as MARPOL and the Galapagos National Park. Gray water is also disposed 12 miles from the coast, although the actual requirement is two miles. Water from the bilge is discharged 12 miles from the coast after it first goes through an eduction system that mixes bilge water 50 times to one.
All our yachts must only use four stroke outboard engines on dinghies. Four stroke engines are more ecological because they are 70% quieter than two-stroke engines, emit virtually no fumes and use 50% less fuel consumption. Tour boats must use only lead-free or TBT-free paint. The cooling elements used in the refrigeration and air conditioning systems on board are free of R-12 gas that could potentially escape and add to the green-house effect. Only biodegradable soaps and detergents are used. No varnish is applied to the exterior walkways. Only yellow exterior lights can be used that do not attract insects.
The standards also require sanitary living conditions and a good quality of life including medical insurance and advanced training for all crew members.
All of our guides are Ecuadorian nationals; 65% are Galapagos residents and 25% are native Galapaguenos. Benefits offered to employees include medical insurance for the employee, their spouse and up to 3 children. The highest level employee that is native-born from Galapagos is Captain.
Out of 61 crew total members, including guides and Captains, 37% reside permanently in the Galapagos Islands and of those 15% are native Galapaguenos. The rest live in different cities in mainland Ecuador. In fact, Ecoventura has one of the highest percentages among the industry of employing local guides and crew.
Ecoventura maintains a supply office, warehouse and manager on the Island of San Cristobal and hire only locals to handle our Galapagos-based operation. We purchase approx 27% of total food supplies from local vendors in San Cristobal Island including all fresh fish and some vegetables. Dairy products and meats are purchased on the Island of Santa Cruz and benefit the local community.
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
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. Organic waste is compacted and discharged according to International regulations and National Park requirements. Inorganic sold waste is classified into paper, glass and plastic and turned into the local municipal waste service and recycling center. Amounts are registered into the log books on board each yacht.
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 for us to decide 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 to strive to further 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).