Plastic Pollution Purge Articles

American Sailing has partnered with 4Ocean, a premier ocean cleanup company committed to tackling the plastic pollution crisis head-on. Together, we are launching a new “Buy One, Pull One” campaign, a remarkable initiative designed to make a tangible impact on the global cleanup efforts. Now you can help clean the ocean through the American Sailing partnership with 4Ocean. For each Read More >

As part of American Sailing’s ongoing commitment to our environment through the Plastic Pollution Purge Initiative, beginning this Earth Day, we are no longer issuing plastic membership cards. We are releasing newly designed, sustainable, print-at-home membership cards to reduce our use of plastic and so that our members and instructors can still enjoy the benefits of carrying a physical card Read More >

Scenario: You crack open a cold one after a long day of sailing. Your buddy Jim finishes his first beer (rather quickly) and tosses the can overboard. When prodded about the environment, he confidently responds, “It’s just metal- it will break down naturally.” A debate starts, and you want it to stop so you can enjoy the sunset and your Read More >

We all know there is a plastic problem and we come in contact with the issue on a regular basis. Sailors commonly see plastic floating on the surface and beachcombers pick up their fair share of marine debris on the sand.   ASA continues to support the Plastic Pollution Purge as we encourage sailors to refrain from using single-use plastics and Read More >

The American Sailing Association has an exciting new partnership with the International SeaKeepers Society to promote ocean research and conservation.  The International SeaKeepers Society promotes oceanographic research, conservation, and education through direct involvement with the yachting community.  Who Are The International SeaKeepers Society? Our small but distinguished membership includes entrepreneurs, yachtsmen, corporations, divers, scientists, and concerned citizens building a global Read More >

I first learned about the art of sailing when I was nineteen years old. I had signed up for a semester abroad with a program that teaches students marine biology and oceanography courses, as well as sailing and coastal navigation skills. After a year of scraping together money and filling out forms, I spent my sophomore winter on an 88’ Read More >

Every time we hoist a sail we utilize a natural resource that needs attention. The water we sail on needs an advocate and that person is you. The American Sailing Association is committed to addressing the issue of plastic pollution and environmental stewardship. Oceans and lakes are our playgrounds and we have an inherent responsibility to protect them. Sailors Can Read More >

I don’t need to waste a sailor’s time by telling you there’s plastic in the ocean. If you’re out on the water, you’ve seen it by now. Some places are cleaner than others, and in some parts of the world it has reached an extreme that is truly surreal: As we’ve mentioned before, this is not an “ocean problem.” This Read More >

As ASA does its job of being an advocate for the world’s oceans, we asked Marine Conservationist Lauren Coiro about how sailors can make an impact on the environment that they take so much from, the Ocean. Her advice sheds light on the bigger picture of environmental sustainability as well as the simple fact that each and every one of Read More >