Sunsail and The Moorings are celebrating three years of their joint sustainability initiative, Our OCEAN Promise, by announcing a new partnership with Green VI, a leading environmental nonprofit based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
Our OCEAN Promise, launched in 2022, is a long-term commitment by both brands to embed sustainability across their global operations. The initiative aims to promote responsible sailing by protecting marine environments, reducing waste and carbon emissions, supporting local communities, and inspiring positive change across the destinations they operate in.
As part of this three-year milestone, Sunsail and The Moorings have unveiled the latest achievements and outlined what’s next for the initiative, including their new collaboration with Green VI.
Green VI partnership new for 2026
Green VI is an organisation focusing on promoting zero-waste practices and environmental education throughout the BVI. Following a comprehensive base audit of the BVI operations, Sunsail and The Moorings are now working closely with Green VI to identify and implement practical actions that will reduce waste and promote sustainable practices across its fleet and facilities.
Green VI and the charter brands will work together to reduce pollution, and drive long-term, sustainable change. While the partnership is still in its early stages, the shared goal is clear: to support a cleaner, greener BVI through responsible waste management and community education – ensuring that the stunning marine environment remains vibrant for generations to come. This partnership reinforces a shared commitment to the people and environment of the BVI – home to one of Sunsail and The Moorings’ busiest charter bases.
Highlights from the past 12 months
British Virgin Islands (BVI) Skipper Academy
In 2024, the BVI Skipper Academy was launched to address a growing gap in local pathways into skippered charter roles. It was developed to support a rising demand at the region’s busiest base, while also encouraging sustainable employment in the region.
The programme provides training from the ground up, taking participants through a 16-week course in the UK before returning to the BVI for practical apprenticeships with experienced skippers. Graduates gain full certification, practical yacht maintenance skills, and customer service expertise, equipping them for stable careers in the yacht charter industry.
The first cohort, which consisted of three members, completed their UK training and exams in December 2024 and returned to the BVI to refine their skills and contribute to the local workforce.
BVI Technical Academy
In a second development in the region, the BVI Technical Academy was launched in early 2025 to provide local staff with formal pathways into specialist marine engineering roles, which are critical to maintaining the fleet.
The programme offers structured training in electrical systems, mechanical maintenance, yacht systems and resource management, delivered through hands-on instruction, supplier-led sessions and online courses. Participants gain industry-recognised certifications, equipping them with the skills and expertise needed to service yachts to the highest standards. By developing a highly trained local technical workforce, the academy supports both the operational excellence of the business and the long-term growth and prosperity of the BVI community.
The Blue Marine Partnership
In 2023, a partnership between Sunsail, The Moorings and Blue Marine Foundation was launched, with a pledge from Travelopia Group (the parent company of Sunsail and The Moorings) to donate at least £1 million over the following three years to support seven global projects that focus on restoring vital marine habitats, protecting biodiversity and engaging local communities in conservation.
Since its launch, the collaboration has backed initiatives ranging including seagrass restoration in Greece and Formentera, mangrove replanting in Kenya, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Maldives, as well as the creation of marine protected areas in the Caribbean.
So far Travelopia’s funds have been invested into planting thousands of seagrass and mangrove seedlings, the reopening of water channels to restore marine life, and the development of community-led training and eco-tourism initiatives that provide alternative livelihoods.
The impact of this work extends globally, benefiting local people who rely on healthy oceans for their livelihoods, marine species that depend on restored habitats, and future generations who will inherit a more resilient and thriving ocean.
Laura Bowtell, Head of Global Sales Operations and Sustainability for Sunsail and The Moorings, said: “Our OCEAN Promise’ is successful because it’s a commitment that goes far beyond policy – it is at the heart of everything Sunsail, The Moorings and our team stand for. Sustainability has become embedded in the values of every team member, shaping the way they work, make decisions, and engage with the world. For customers, it means every choice they make while sailing is supported by practices that protect the oceans, communities, and wildlife they love to explore.
“Through innovative initiatives, meaningful partnerships, and daily actions that collectively create lasting impact, ‘Our OCEAN Promise’ ensures that our precious sailing destinations remain vibrant, thriving, and full of life – ready to inspire and be cherished by generations to come.”
With this latest update both organisations have proven sustainability is now woven into the fabric of daily operations, guiding decisions and shaping expectations across teams and customer experiences. Staff engagement and responsible customer participation ensure that sustainable practices are standard rather than an added initiative.
For more information on ‘Our OCEAN Promise’ visit; https://www.sunsail.com/uk/sustainable-travel
