Our Environmental policy

ABOUT THINKING GREEN
Our environmental policy at Shearwater River Cruises

We recognize that all commercial travel, recreation and tourism activities have an impact on the environment. Shearwater’s Board of Directors is committed to understanding and managing this impact so that – wherever possible - our environmental performance is improved.

 Therefore, we commit:

1. to better understand the impact our activities have on the environment
2. to adopt practices which lead to improvements in environmental performance where practicable through energy conservation and by reducing our consumption of raw materials and reducing waste.
3. to encourage suppliers and our customers to adopt practices which will lead to improved environmental performance, and
4. to ensure that employees are aware of our environmental policies and are motivated to both apply the policies and suggest new ones.

ABOUT BECOMING MORE GREEN
An update of environmental performance activities in 2009

Carbon Emissions
We will continue an initiative begun in 2008, when we first calculated our carbon footprint (based on diesel and gasoline fuels consumed) and contributed a carbon-offset fee of $90.00 (in 2008) and $150.00 (in 2009) toward carbon sequestration research at the Redberry Lake (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve.

Engine Replacement
Faced with the need to rebuild or upgrade the main engines on the Meewasin Queen, in 2009 we opted to purchase and install a new Tier II-compliant diesel engine. This highly efficient (Volvo D-4) engine uses the latest technology to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, including common-rail fuel injection and electronic vessel controls.

 In addition, all auxiliary power units (outboards and generators) used to support our operations now use 4-stroke engines. 

Biodiesel Fuel Additives
Shearwater was one of the first boat tour companies in Canada to experiment with biodiesel fuels, beginning in 2005 when we operated through the season with B20 fuel (20% biodiesel content). Since then, we have learned three things: (1) not all engines are comfortable with higher concentrations of bio-fuels; (2) in a hungry world, the conversion of edible oils to fuel non-essential activities may be counterproductive, if not immoral, and (3) biodiesel additives, at lower concentrations, provide excellent lubricity for diesel engines (replacing sulphur) and also enhance the biodegradation of emissions and accidental spills.

In 2010, Shearwater will supply its diesel engines with biodiesel additives whenever additives are needed.

Cleaner engine room bilges
In 2010, Shearwater River Cruises will continue its practice of deploying oil-absorbent padding (we call them “diapers”!) in the engine room bilges, and – when cleaning and pumping the engine room bilge – removing the bilge water for safe disposal rather than discharging into the river.

Wastewater
Grey water and sewage are not discharged into the river. They are carefully pumped or tanked from the vessels and disposed of through the City’s sewage treatment system.

Service materials
Of course, Shearwater recycles all beverage cans and bottles. However, what we do with – and how we use - cutlery, cups, glasses and flatware is another matter. In 2008, we went from using china plates and steel cutlery to plastic plates and cutlery, very aware that – while re-useable materials were perceived as more environmentally-friendly, there were considerable environmental (and economic) costs involved with the transportation, washing and disinfecting of table service materials to meet public health and safety requirements. We also went away from using styrofoam cups for hot beverages.

 In 2009, recognizing that there is no way to recycle plastic plates (Canada is away behind the USA on this), we made the decision to use heavy paper plates which are made from 99% reclaimed fiber to start with, and are fully biodegradable in a standard landfill operation.

Keeping the riverbanks clean - the Otis project
Click HERE to learn more about Otis the Otter and how we volunteer to keep the riverbanks in Saskatoon free of garbage.