Carrying Gifts from Sea to Land
For nearly 15 years, the volunteers of the Eco-Mer association have played a crucial role in establishing and maintaining a strong chain of solidarity between the sea and the land. Their goal is to foster a sustainable and compassionate maritime community.
This year, Camper & Nicholsons decided to join the forces with this local community and proposed to collect goods and various items, like food, clothes, and linen, to the managed yachts in different ports of the Mediterranean and staff based on the French Riviera, for the benefit of charitable associations, notably the Red Cross.
On November 17, committed and devoted individuals, representing the 'Yachts du Cœur' community, including the Camper & Nicholsons team and crew, gathered at the Port Canto in Cannes, to assemble the renowned chain.
Marine Solidarity
This idea came from Jean-Luc Annone, the president and creator of Eco-Mer, son of a fisherman from Cannes and a former sailor aboard yachts.
Camper & Nicholsons feels particularly connected to the city of Cannes and Port Canto. The history dates back to the 1960s when George Nicholson decided to establish the first brokerage agency on Boulevard de la Croisette before permanently settling at Port Canto after its inauguration in 1965. Camper & Nicholsons has taken up the cause seriously and has reached out to its network of boats in various marinas in the Mediterranean to invite crews to participate in the solidarity chain.
Goods and items destined to be discarded
At the end of each Mediterranean season, many yachts are closing up for the winter. This means that the crew members remove everything that can degrade during the winter period. Linens, clothing, non-perishable goods, construction materials, decor, essential products. These are goods and items that are often destined to end up in the trash. We collect them so that they can be redistributed to populations in greatest need through associations.
Ecological approach
It goes beyond the humanitarian efforts. Both crew members and the Camper & Nicholsons staff recognize the importance of minimizing waste. And often, they don't want to throw things away, but they don't know what to do with it. This is where 'Yachts du Cœur' emerges as a valuable solution.
This year, we collected 24m3 of goods.
If you are a crew member and want to participate in this initiative together with us, please reach out by sending a message to us here.
