Sea SA scoops SA Great Regional award’s first Sustainability prize

 

Spencer Gulf ferry service, Sea SA car & passenger ferries has been named winner of the inaugural SA Water Award for Sustainability, for the Eyre Peninsula region, and winner of the Tourism Award for the Yorke Peninsula region, at the 9^th SA Great Regional Awards.

 

The SA Great Regional awards celebrate and promote the achievements of individuals, groups and businesses in regional South Australia who have made a significant contribution to their region and state over the past year.   

 

SA Great Project Co-ordinator, Michelle Harvey said, “This is the first year that the Sustainability category has been introduced, replacing the Science and Sustainability Category.  It rewards environmentally sound practices and initiatives which provide sustainable outcomes for the human and natural environment at a local level.”

Sea SA Managing Director, Stephanie Dawson said, “Sea SA is absolutely delighted to receive both accolades.  We are very proud of our environmental policies, innovations and initiatives, especially at a time when climate change is such a pressing issue for us all, and delighted to have forged a new tourism trail linking the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas.”

Sea SA has already won Australian Marine Environment Protection Association (AUSMEPA) recognition for its potential to wipe more than 25,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from road traffic annually by giving drivers an alternative to the lengthy round-Gulf road trip.

“Two ferries operating across the Spencer Gulf would produce 34 times less emissions than the same volume of cars driving around the Gulf.  To encourage more drivers to take the greener  ferry route, we have introduced our ‘Climate Clever Rewards Club’, which means every time you make 5 ferry trips within 12 months, you get the 6^th trip for free,” Stephanie explained.

Sea SA has also incorporated world class design features into its ferries for minimal environmental impact.  “Our vessels always comply with world standards for zero impact waste water discharge, are virtually soundless, eradicating noise pollution, and have hull designs to minimize fuel consumption.   Our latest ferry, Sea Spirit, incorporates an onboard wind generator which stores enough energy to power all the instrumentation in the wheelhouse, further reducing fuel intake,” Stephanie said.

ENDS