At Fairwind we understand that all businesses create an environmental and social impact through their activities and ours is no exception, but we are fortunate that the nature of our operation allows us to minimize adverse effects on our marine and coastal ecosystem. 

We actively try to reduce our impact on the environment by using our resources efficiently, disposing of waste responsibly and providing an environmentally and socially responsible service for our customers.

Our aim is to operate a sustainable, safe and responsible business.

You can help us reduce waste by storing your recyclable items separately from general garbage for proper disposal ashore.

Clients can also conserve diesel by sailing more!

Below are some of the measures and we undertake as part of our commitment to our policy.

Energy and Water Efficiency:

All our washing is line dried. This is our single biggest savings in electrical energy.

All the lights in our office are low energy.

The primary car used for work related running is a Nissan Leaf.

All boats have been retrofitted with low energy LED light bulbs in place of halogen.

All boats have solar panels fitted to aid battery charging and reduce engine running.

Our office requires no air conditioning.

Our office requires minimal heating in winter. We have one small fan heater.

Water hoses have trigger heads, we always use the washing machine with full loads and the toilet has a dual flush mechanism. Our water supplier does not charge us as the amount we use is too small to bother about.

Our computers are laptops, that sleep when unattended. The only electrical appliance that is permanently switched on is a small refrigerator in the lunch room.

Our total electrical energy use is less than that for a domestic household.

For the 2022-23 season we have replaced all the two-stroke outboards for the boat dinghies with four-strokes. This has meant a considerable financial outlay for one year, but now that four-stroke engines have come down to having a similar power/weight ratio to two-strokes we are pleased to be finally able to do this. We expect to halve the amount of fuel used for the tenders.

Waste Management:

We provide a recycling facility at our base. This requires us to maintain the facility, sort the recycling and transport it to the nearby waste centre. We estimate that recyclable rubbish amounts to about 65% (by volume) of our waste stream.

We reuse virtually all of our printed paper. 

All waste oil and oily water is disposed of at a recycling facility.

All boats are fitted with toilet holding tanks.

Environmental and Resource Conservation:

Wherever possible our cleaning products are 'eco friendly'. We purchase from The Eco Store.

We minimize our printing wherever possible and use less than two reams of paper per year.

Our brochures are printed on recycled paper using vegetable inks.

Community Involvement:

Kim is a trustee of the R Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust. www.tucker.co.nz

Fairwind Charters supports Project Island Song. www.projectislandsong.co.nz

Economic Sustainability:

Fairwind Charters is a family run company and we recognise that 'sustainable growth' is an oxymoron. We consider that the present size of our operation and fleet is about right for long term sustainability.

At Fairwind we seek a long term continuing relationship with our owners. Some of them have been with us since we started operating. We believe that, as long as their vessels meet out standards for upkeep and presentation then that boat should remain in our fleet.

Fairwind Charters is wholly owned by the principals and has no capital debt.

And here's some things we could (or would like to) do but don't.....

Use biodiesel. It's not available locally.

Have electric engines for the yachts or outboards. This technology is still in its infancy in the marine world and what systems are available are both eye-wateringly expensive and only suitable for intermittent use, so not appropriate for constant use on charter boats a long way from the marina charger.