DALLAS, June 16, 2011 – While most people do not consider yachting an eco-friendly experience, now it can be when you sail on a yacht by the name of Ethereal. A190-foot super-yacht, Ethereal is currently afloat with top of the line energy efficiency and sound insulation, organic fabrics and an extraordinary level of technological innovation focused on energy conservation and sustainable, autonomous operation. 

With the ability to operate for extended periods of time by stored electrical power, Etherealrecently went a step “greener” too and became CarbonNeutral, reducing its carbon footprint to net zero by using a selection of high quality, guaranteed carbon offsets supplied by The CarbonNeutral Company. 

The Etheral's profile when at sail

In addition to her green claim to fame, the yacht also offers every convenience and luxury.  Her interior combines mahogany wood and organic fabrics with simple design touches. 

Exclusively available for charter through a company called YCO, that company is doing its part too in taking an eco-friendly stance recently becoming involved with Sea Keepers, an international organization that recently opened a specialist sail division to cater for the growing green trend in yachting.

"Adding super yachts like Ethereal to our charter fleet, a yacht meticulously designed to be as ecologically efficient as it is luxe, is where not only YCO is heading, but the world,” says YCO CEO Charlie Birkett.  “Green is a standard these days rather than an exception, and we're embracing it. To that end, we're also expanding the YCO SAIL division, which is more conservative in energy consumption by its very nature, and has grown in recent years due to high demand and a real interest from our clients."  

An exceptional way to explore the world -- super yachts have always been a top choice for those who can afford it, but all too often it has been at a cost to the environment.  Pollution, fuel and waste have a significant impact and conscientious yachtsman have long battled to reconcile a passion for sailing with a regard for the environment.  With leading yards bringing eco issues to the forefront, certain luxury super yachts are now getting the green light when it comes to environmentally aware design.  

The Etheral's cockpit

Ethereal, from the Royal Huisman yard, is considered one of the most efficient, eco-friendly super yachts afloat.  In fact, Ethereal’s carbon footprint for 2009 was even offset through the Tieling coal mine methane project in China, which captures coal mine methane - a potent greenhouse gas - and uses it as an energy source to supply gas to homes and local industry.  Its 2010 footprint was offset through The CarbonNeutral Company’s OneNature portfolio, made up of 100% renewable energy projects - not only solar, wind and hydro, but also biomass and re-use of waste products like biogas.

Rita Cook is a writer/editor with has over 1000 articles to her credit in the past 13-plus years. She is a frequent auto and travel contributor on a radio show in Los Angeles called Insider Mag Radio at KPRO 1570 am on from midnight to 12:30 a.m. Monday mornings.  Cook is a member of the Texas Auto Writer’s Association, writes for the Dallas Morning News Green Living Section as well as artist profiles and spends much of her time on the road traveling or working on books. Her latest release this April is about Fredericksburg, Texas published by Channel Lakes Publishing.