Clean Wake: How SSCA Cruisers Leave Caribbean Communities Better Than They Found Them

Leaving a clean wake means more than respecting the sea to the leaders and members of the Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA). It also means leaving the communities that welcome cruising boats a little better than they were found.

The Clean Wake initiative brings together SSCA members, cruising hosts, local partners, the SSCA Foundation and HopeFleet to connect donated supplies with real needs in cruising destinations throughout the Caribbean and Central America. From the Bahamas to Honduras, Guatemala’s Rio Dulce and the Bay Islands, cruisers are delivering school supplies, medical items, sports equipment, tools and other essentials through trusted local contacts.

The program grew from SSCA’s long-standing tradition of community service and expanded through its partnership with HopeFleet, an organization born from Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Bahamas. Together, the two groups use the cruising network to match donations with schools, clinics, and community projects where they’re needed most.

A good example is the annual Bahamas Gathering at Black Point, where cruisers spend time cleaning beaches and supporting local schools and youth programs. The effort has become a meaningful way for visiting boaters and island residents to get to know one another and give something back.

“Cruisers can help in simple ways,” invites Nicole Economou, the SSCA membership coordinator. “A little extra locker space can carry donated supplies, marinas can serve as collection points, and local cruising hosts can identify the items communities need most.” Learn more about Clean Wake and how to get involved at ssca.org/cleanwake  

Carol Bareuther has written for ALL AT SEA since 2004.