Blue Space, Boating and Mental Health
What Is Blue Space? Blue spaces are officially described as ‘outdoor environments–either natural or manmade–that prominently feature water and are accessible to people’. In short – the collective term for rivers, lakes or the sea As well as being a source of calm for both body and mind, Blue Space has proven health benefits – for example, regularly getting out of the city into a “blue space” can result in improved focus, a greater sense of calm, improved sleep and decreased stress. It can also play a major factor in another sector…mental health. There is a compelling body of evidence that suggests that being in contact with water, can promote human health and wellbeing – and this isn’t just some new age pseudoscience – it’s a growing area of scientific research being taken seriously by scientist and research experts. Blue Health In 2016 a research initiative called BlueHealth was launched, to understand how blue space affect health. Between 2016 and 2020, BlueHealth (Home – BlueHealth (bluehealth2020.eu) conducted over 20 studies in more than 18 different countries across the world, exploring what impact urban waterways have on health. NHS The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of being outdoors to people’s mental and physical health, as well as the lack of access to green space. Social prescribing is a way of helping people to manage their health and wellbeing, by enabling them to identify and meet their own needs, through the wider community not just the NHS. The NHS Long Term Plan commits to significantly expanding the number of social prescribing link workers in primary care. Link workers can support individuals who may have complex health care needs who might otherwise be admitted to hospital. Boating People who are frequently with blue spaces, whether through paddle boarding, surfing, sailing or fishing have mentioned the therapeutic quality which it possesses, as described by Hilaire Belloc in his book ‘Moods to fill the storehouse of the mind’. If you’re reading this article, then the possibility of undergoing boat-based treatment sounds pretty appealing to you. Boating Therapy is a form of experiential treatment that allows you to take part in sessions that are based on first-hand practice. The sessions are designed to allow you to learn and heal through the practice of recovery. The opportunity to be present——-within the simplicity of being at one with your environment, without agenda or destination, is a wonderful gift emerging from this space. This can also have a positive effect on us in the blue space and we may somehow feel more at home there; even in a strange way. The Sail into Life programs run by Sea Sanctuary have been taking advantage of the sea’s mental health benefits since they began. The programs allow clients to be at one with the sea, enjoying the space and the sensory awareness. It is these moments the research team believes that can help those suffering from conditions such as depression and anxiety to enjoy a step-change in their treatment. The air is filled with the salty sea air as you capture your surroundings on camera. Suddenly, you begin to feel warm inside and realize that it’s because your boat is moving forward toward a new chapter in your life. During this time, each patient has a unique experience where s/he will figure out the direction she wants to go in life and how she would like to live that life. The patients encompass the motion of the boat on the water, experience the sea salt scented breeze and are given a chance of self-reflections without worldly distractions. Greenery It’s no secret that nature is good for you. People who live in areas with greenery around have more positivity and calm than people living in the concrete jungle. Nature therapy is beneficial to people suffering from ADHD and dementia. Living and spending time in a green environment helps increase creativity, productivity, and reduce aggression. When we listen to the tweets of the birds and the sound of a waterfall, we feel calm and at ease more than when we hear the noise of traffic. Listening to the sounds of nature helps us relax and even improves our health in measurable ways. Nature can make you feel more alive, connected, and peaceful. Environment Secretary George Eustice announced a £4 million investment in July 2020 for a cross-government project aimed at preventing and tackling mental ill health through green social prescribing. This fund has since been increased with additional contributions from NHS England and NHS Improvement, Sport England and the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP), taking the total to £5.77 million. Finally, the project’s goal is to embed green social prescribing into communities and test how it can improve mental health outcomes, reduce health inequalities, and reduce demand on the health and social care system. The project will also work towards developing best practice in making green social activities more resilient and accessible. We can take from this article many useful points, for example how blue space is peace to the mind and eyes, how greenery freshens you up anew and finally how beneficial boating can be towards moving to an more healthy mind.
Buying a Boat – Getting the Right Advice
See a boat you like? Fall in love with it at first sight? Immediately reach for your wallet? That’s all fine – however, you want to be sure that it is a boat that you will continue to be in love with even after that first flush of romance. You need to ensure that the boat continues to provide fun, pleasure and thrills for many years to come. That’s why you should take independent professional advice to help you get the best boat and have the best value for your money. Let’s consider the need for, and some sources of, advice. Why is advice needed? You may very well be experienced in your profession or business. Possibly used to negotiating or being part of a project. Maybe you have technical skills. These are useful. However, we believe that buying a boat is simply more complicated. Think of a boat as a combination of a house, a car, and one that (hopefully!) floats on the water. Multiply those complexities together. This is not a problem in itself, provided that you get the right advice to help you make the right decisions. Sources of advice There are of course multiple sources of advice you can use. The internet provides a great variety of advice. Often, however, you need to know what questions to ask, where to look, who to believe. The internet can be useful; but it can also provide conflicting and unreliable advice. Frankly, I have seen some advice on the internet that makes me cringe as the advice has simply been wrong or even dangerous! Surveyors are an essential and important part of boat buying. However, you need to know how to choose a good surveyor, understand the different types of surveyors and surveys, and how to make best use of surveyors to actually save you money. If you are looking at a boat that has had a previous survey done – maybe a year or two ago – we advise you NOT to rely on it for several reasons. Firstly, the survey is the property of the vendor, not you, so the surveyor owes zero responsibility to you. Next, some issues could have arisen since the survey. Also, if you have been given the survey, then you have been informed of any issues identified, and so you have no come back or room for negotiation on those issues. In a nutshell – you need to get your own survey done. Go Earth can recommend the types of survey(s) you need and assist in finding a suitable surveyor. Brokers are of course often ready to be helpful and give advice. However, please remember that their legal, contractual relationship is with the seller, not you as the (potential) buyer. Also, they – naturally enough – want to sell you a boat on their books. That’s what their job is. Further, if you ask the broker for information, they may simply be unable to give you accurate or full information because they may not know all the boats on their books. Also, it has been known for the seller to forget to tell the broker about significant issues with a boat! Solicitors may be needed for large or complex transactions. However, most solicitors are not specialists in marine matters. Your personal solicitor may, therefore, not be the most appropriate one for a boat purchase. We can help you find a specialist marine solicitor. Go Earth is not associated with any boat broker or boat manufacturer. We are independent. Our mission is to help boaters through all the stages of buying a boat. To do this we provide a variety of services. We can act as your professional advisor and procurement agent. The professional advisory element is typically focussed around requirement specification and identifying makes / models of boats that fit your requirements. Note that we are starting from ‘what are your requirements?’; not from ‘that’s a nice-looking boat, let’s buy it’! Of course, it is not always easy to define your requirements; and so we can help with that process. The procurement agent does what any procurement agent in any industry does – tries to get you the best product at the lowest possible price. Go Earth is an example of a procurement agent, and provides a range of services to help you get the right boat at the best (i.e. lowest) price. While of course nobody is going to give a boat away, a procurement agent can negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you buy at the very lowest viable price. In summary, our services include boat search, boat pre-visits, and perhaps most importantly boat negotiation services. We always recognise that it is your money, and so we will do as little or as much as you want. Our Boats for Sale Listing Explore our select collection of boats! Click Here
How to Future-Proof Your Boat Purchase: 5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid
Buying a boat is a major investment. The wrong decision can cost you time, money, and long-term enjoyment. At Go Earth, we help you avoid the most common traps buyers fall into. 1. Not Understanding Your True Needs Many buyers are drawn in by flashy features or idealised ideas. But does that boat truly fit your lifestyle, mooring location, skill level, or long-term plans? Talk to Go Earth. We take the time to understand your needs, assess your lifestyle, and use our advanced search tools to find a boat that fits your real-world requirements. 2. Skipping the Deep Research A boat that looks perfect on paper can hide serious issues. Overlooked maintenance, mismatched specifications, and surprise costs are common problems. Let Go Earth do the due diligence. We uncover the full picture behind every listing so you can buy with clarity and confidence. 3. Overpaying Without Realising It Most buyers don’t have access to current market data or the experience to negotiate effectively. That can lead to paying far more than necessary. Put Go Earth in your corner. We negotiate directly with sellers to secure the lowest viable price and save you real money. 4. Trusting the Wrong Source Some sellers overmarket poor-quality boats, and many listings don’t reflect real value. Without expert guidance, it’s easy to be misled. Count on Go Earth to source independently. We are not boat dealers. We work solely for you to find the right vessel at the right value. 5. Underestimating the Ownership Experience Boat ownership comes with insurance, storage, and ongoing upkeep. Without the right support, the excitement can quickly turn into stress. Stay supported with Go Earth. We offer services before, during, and after your purchase to keep you ahead of the curve and out of trouble. We specialize in sourcing the right boat for any budget or location. Using our exclusive tools, we find what others miss. We negotiate on your behalf to secure the best price and help you enjoy the benefits of ownership without the common pitfalls. Avoid costly mistakes. Contact Go Earth today.
Embracing Fender Technologies to Enhance Boating Experience
Boating has always been a blend of tradition, skill, and adventure. However, as technology continues to advance, it is worth it for boaters to embrace the latest innovations to enhance their yachting experience. We will explore the rise of fender technologies, and examine the role of a Fender System in facilitating safer, more effortless procedures for docking and undocking boats, thereby minimising the risk of unwanted impact damage to the boat. Some experienced boaters may say “I have been on boats long enough. We do things the way we always have, using our hands, our eyes and our instinct – that is what real boating is to me. Not some fancy technologies.” Long-time boaters often are not too quick to adopt new technology because they have years of practice and trust in the old-school ways of doing things. They reckon that sticking to what they know keeps the real spirit of boating alive, even though the technology could make their boating experience safer and easier. New Technology Broadens the Horizon in Boating Similar to the emergence of digital photography in the 1990s, there was initial resistance from professional photographers as they were deeply rooted in their established analogue techniques, and perceived this technological shift as a potential threat to the art. However, as time passed, they began to realise that digital cameras not only preserved the fundamental principles of photography but also expanded its scope, adding diversity and excitement to the craft while reducing cost. This flexibility ignited a resurgence of interest in the art, enabling professionals and amateurs to experiment with new styles without losing sight of basic photography theories and skills. Similarly, the Fender System enhances the pleasure of boating by facilitating safe docking and undocking procedures, while boaters continue to refine and utilise their boat manoeuvring skills. This increased safety measure reduces potential damage to the boat and relieves boaters’ stress during the process, hence enhancing the overall experience on the water. How Does It Help? We probably agree that docking a boat is quite challenging, as boat fenders are set to mitigate the unavoidable knocks and scrapes that might cause during docking and undocking. Naturally, it is always an unexpected gust of wind, a sudden turbulence on the sea surface, or an oversight that makes boat arrival and departure at a berth risky and even dangerous. Despite its usefulness, boat fenders come with complications for boaters, as they are bulky to store and inconvenient to use, not to mention the challenges of having a crew to position them correctly at the bow, especially in turbulent waters. The situation can be even more problematic for those who have limited mobility, or those who love sailing solo – the necessity to abandon the helm to deploy or lift fenders during the docking and undocking process is not only risky, but it could be an unwise course of action. The Fender System addresses all these challenges. Using smart sensing technology and remote monitoring & control, the system allows boaters to control boat fenders remotely from the cockpit when docking or undocking the boat, significantly reducing stress and effort, especially in dangerous situations. The system is notably easy to use. It has been designed for boaters to manage it from anywhere on the boat using a smartphone or tablet and a simple app. Powered by batteries that last a long time, the system comes with a waterproof casing so boaters do not have to worry about regular replacements. The installation of the Fender System is considerably simple by just screwing it on the boat rails using a suitable screwdriver. The Fender System is not just about making docking and undocking safer and more efficient, but also about keeping things neat. It also serves as a practical tool for novice boaters, allowing them to hone their sailing skills, while simultaneously enjoying sailing. The integration of traditional skills and the Fender System is paramount to enhancing the yachting experience. By embracing innovations, boaters can preserve their connection to the rich heritage of seamanship while enjoying the safety and convenience. Learn more about the latest version of our Fender System. Feel free to contact us for placing your order.