sv Bella Rose

 reply to sept/oct 2007 issue, printed in nov/dec 2007 issue

SOUNDING OUT – Sept/Oct 2007 * Volume XXXIV #5

Has living aboard made you more environmentally savvy, or were you that way to begin with?

How involved are you in the alternative energy field?

How much time do you spend "plugged-in" as opposed to "off the grid"?

I have always been environmentally savvy. This is probably part of the attraction of the living aboard lifestyle. As long as I can remember I have been concerned and aware of the environment. The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970. I attended high school and college in the '70s. If fact, the college I attended was Environmental Studies focused.

My original life-plan was to homestead - move to rural American and be self-sufficient on my own piece of land. I was big time into solar, wind, water, wood, all forms of alternative power. I have always tried to keep my energy footprint small. For example, I heated my home with firewood for 17 years, and I lived in a far northern state.

One of my biggest concerns is energy waste. Consider what is commonly called “leaking electricity.” Leaking electricity is responsible for 5 percent of all household electricity usage. This is electricity used by appliances (television, satellite systems, cordless tools, chargers and much more) when they are OFF. Yes, off. Then, of course, there is conserving/reducing heating, cooling, and lighting waste. 

How about water waste? The “typical” American family of four uses 250 gallons of water per day (inside the home), and 100 gallons per day of that usage is caused simply by flushing the toilet. Doing the math, that totals 1,750 gallons per week! We, a family of three, only use about 80 gallons per week. OK, we also do two loads of laundry a week for another 50 gallons or so.  

At the moment we are “plugged in,” but we have lived off the grid before. Once we were off grid for 11 continuous months. On our boat we use a generator to produce the minimal electricity we require when disconnected from shore power. If we were to cruise across oceans I would probably install solar panels and a wind generator. 

Liveaboards don’t just talk the talk, they also walk the walk.

Rob