During the 2024 Italian Offshore Sailing Championship held in Brindisi, One Ocean Foundation was present as part of its agreement as the Sustainability Partner of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV). At the morning briefing with the competitors, the sailor and our Ambassador Alberto Leghissa explained the importance of establishing the role of the Onboard Ecological Officer (RECO). The idea of having a crew member responsible for following and enforcing good practices for the protection of the sea originated with Leghissa and the Sistiana Sailing Team, of which he is the president. The RECO, supported by the FIV and UVAI (Italian Offshore Sailing Union), has become one of the projects of the One Ocean Foundation and, starting this year, has been incorporated into the FIV Offshore Sailing Regulations.

"I thank the FIV for introducing the RECO," Leghissa stated in his speech. "It is a useful initiative for everyone and comes at no cost, requiring only goodwill and the understanding that the sea we sail on needs to be protected. I hope that this role will not be limited in the future to offshore crews, but that every sports club will want to appoint a RECO to oversee all activities, both at sea and on land."

The organizers and the marina of Brindisi, which hosted one of the five most important FIV regattas of the year, were well-prepared: from dedicated recycling bins to a water dispenser for refilling bottles instead of using single-use plastic.