Sailing and protecting the Baltic Sea. ECOMARINAS at Hanse Sail 2026 in Rostock
Can sailing go hand in hand with caring for the environment? How does our behaviour on the water and in marinas affect the Baltic Sea? And what can each of us do to reduce that impact? These were some of the questions we explored on 8 and 9 August in Rostock, Germany during Hanse Sail 2026, one of Europe’s largest sailing events.
The 35th edition of Hanse Sail took place from 6 to 9 August, bringing around 500,000 visitors to Rostock. A total of 120 boats and ships from seven countries took part, including many historic sailing ships. For four days, Rostock was filled with cultural events, concerts, meetings and initiatives dedicated to maritime topics.
In such a setting, there could be no better place to talk about the future of sailing and the protection of the Baltic Sea.
ECOMARINAS at Science@Sail area
For two days, MARE Foundation and EUCC-D jointly hosted the ECOMARINAS educational stand in the Science@Sail area organised by the University of Rostock.
Science@Sail is a space where science goes beyond lecture halls. Visitors can discover current research projects, take part in experiments and activities, and talk directly to scientists and representatives of participating organisations.
At our stand, we combined science and education with plenty of fun.
Visitors could test their knowledge of the Baltic Sea, sailing and environmental protection through ECOMARINAS educational games developed as part of the project. The memory game and our Wheel of Fortune quiz proved particularly popular, with questions covering topics such as good practices on the water and responsible use of marinas. Participants who answered correctly could win prizes.
There were also activities for our youngest visitors. In a dedicated children’s corner, kids could draw animals living in the Baltic Sea while getting to know them better and learning more about the marine ecosystem.
The impact of sailing on the Baltic Sea told through illustrations
An important part of the stand was an exhibition of ECOMARINAS educational posters created by Polish illustrator, graphic designer and muralist Aleks Skrok. Through humorous illustrations, the posters show how the everyday behaviour of sailors and marina users can affect the marine environment, while highlighting simple rules that can help reduce that impact.
The posters also became a starting point for many conversations. The MARE Foundation and EUCC-D teams talked to visitors about activities carried out as part of the project, solutions being tested in marinas, and why both marinas and sailors themselves have an important role to play in protecting our sea.
Although sailing is closely associated with being in touch with nature, it also leaves an environmental footprint. Wastewater from boats, litter, hazardous substances, antifouling paints, excessive noise and the unsustainable use of resources are just some of the challenges that can be addressed through appropriate infrastructure, greater awareness and changes in everyday habits
Responsible sailing in the spotlight
Responsible sailing also took centre stage at Science@Sail on Sunday, when Olga Sarna, President of MARE Foundation, gave a presentation entitled “How does sailing impact the Baltic Sea? Insights from ECOMARINAS perspective”.
The presentation offered an opportunity to look at sailing from an environmental perspective and consider how the way marinas operate, as well as the behaviour of people using the sea, can affect the health of the Baltic Sea. It also showed that more sustainable sailing does not have to mean giving up the pleasure of being on the water – it often starts with knowledge, appropriate infrastructure and a few conscious choices.
ECOMARINAS – for the Baltic Sea and its users
The ECOMARINAS project, co-funded by the Interreg South Baltic 2021–2027 Programme, brings together organisations from Poland, Germany, Lithuania and Sweden. Its aim is to support more sustainable marina operations in the South Baltic region, reduce their environmental impact and raise environmental awareness among sailors and other people who use and enjoy the sea.
Our presence at Hanse Sail was a great opportunity to talk about these activities exactly where concern for the Baltic Sea meets a passion for sailing.
Thank you to everyone who visited our stand, spun the Wheel of Fortune, tested their knowledge, explored the posters and – most importantly – took the time to talk with us about the Baltic Sea. See you at the next ECOMARINAS events!