We at True Blue Sailing are always striving to do the best we can. One way of doing this is by joining programs that are designed to improve operators operations, this way we have an independent organisation that assesses us and keeps us up to date with best practice.

It also gives you the passenger peace of mind that we are very serious about all aspects of your trip with us. Yes we want you to have the most memorable trip with us, but for all of the right reasons.

So behind the scenes safety standards are not compromised, standards of our vessels are not compromised, honesty in advertising is not compromised, and we are always trying to improve a carbon footprint. These are always being upgraded mainly due to our responsibility as members of these organisations.

• We minimise waste and recycle and use recycled materials whenever possible
• We measure and track our emissions footprint annually using the GBRMPA emissions calculator.
• Our vessels are serviced regularly to maintain optimum fuel efficiency and our outboard vessels utilise 4 stroke.
• A portion of the electricity we purchase comes from Green Power. Green Power is drawn from three renewable energy sources – Solar Power, Wind, Hydro and Biomass
• At True Blue Sailing we believe each person around the world can reduce their total emissions each year. There are hundreds of different ways we can do this by introducing environmental practices into our everyday life such as using energy saving appliances, low energy bulbs, reduction of waste and litter and the use of environmentally friendly detergents.
  
  

The marine tourism industry is a key partner in the protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef. Tourism operators help enhance visitor experiences of the Reef and play an important role in protecting the amazing biodiversity that supports their industry.

Many tourism operators ensure their activities are best practice by following the Responsible Reef Practices for tourism operators.

High Standard Tourism Operators voluntarily operate to a higher standard than required by legislation as part of their commitment to ecologically sustainable use. These operators are independently certified as meeting best practice standards for the key areas of protection, presentation and partnership.

As an iconic global destination, tourism operators are taking proactive action to tackle climate change to ensure the best outlook for the Great Barrier Reef into the future. There are also many tourism operators situated across the Marine Park who regularly work in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to monitor the Reef.

Finally, tourism operators who are regularly out on the water, play a vital role in reporting incidents in the Marine Park through the Eyes and Ears Incident Reporting Program.

We are responsible for ensuring the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park – one of the world's greatest natural treasures - is protected for the future. An ecosystem based approach is used, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is widely recognised as one of the best managed marine protected areas in the world. The Marine Park is a multiple-use area that supports a range of communities and industries that depend on the Reef for recreation or their livelihoods. Tourism, fishing, boating and shipping are all legitimate uses of the Marine Park.

The entire Marine Park is covered by a Zoning Plan that identifies where particular activities are permitted and where some are not permitted. The Zoning Plan separates conflicting uses, with 33 per cent of the Marine Park afforded marine national park status where fishing and collecting is not permitted. In high use areas near Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands, special Plans of Management are in place in addition to the underlying Zoning Plan.

In addition, other Special Management Areas have been to created for particular types of protection, such as the Dugong Protection Areas. In most of the adjoining waters, the Queensland Government provides complementary zoning in virtually all the World Heritage Area. The GBRMPA and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service operate a joint program of education, compliance and enforcement to support the rules governing protection of the ecosystem.

Under an agreement with the Australian Government, Fisheries Queensland undertakes much of the fisheries management within the Marine Park. In 2007, our Act was amended adding specific references to protecting World Heritage values, and ecosystem-based management, sustainability, and the precautionary principle. Our priorities are based on the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report that is published every five years providing an important stock-take of the Reef, its management, and its longer-term outlook. The Outlook Report highlighted that the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and remains one of the most healthy coral reef ecosystems.

However, there are issues affecting the health of the Reef - climate change, continued declining water quality from catchment run-off, loss of coastal habitats from coastal development and a small number of impacts from fishing. Many of the threats to the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem are the result of actions beyond the boundaries of the Great Barrier Reef Region (such as coastal development and catchment land use practices). There is a range of Australian, Queensland and local Government agencies that have regulatory responsibilities for these matters. In addition, natural resource management bodies, industry groups, community groups and individuals are involved in addressing these threats and therefore improving outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef Region.

WCBIA Members are high standard operators who strive for excellence in quality and service to customers to provide an unforgettable experience in the Whitsundays - Read more...

Honesty in Advertising, A high Value experience, Strong Environmental Ethics, Highest Level of Marine & Safety Practices collectively result in a unbeatable experience - Read more...

WCBIA Members are high standard operators who strive for excellence in quality and service to customers to provide an unforgettable experience in the Whitsundays - Read more...

WCBIA have the strong support from selling agents who recognise high class products and a high value experience - Read more...

WCBIA Members are strongly committed to the Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Sustainable use of the special environment that they operate within - Read more...

All WCBIA Vessels are independently and regularly audited by an assessor to ensure your experience in the Whitsundays is the best it can be - Read more...

The following outlines member’s responsibilities with regards to the introduction of new vessels and the removing of vessels from the WCBIA fleet - Read more...

Upon introduction of a new vessel the member is required to notify the WCBIA Executive Management Committee as soon as possible, but at least within 30 days. This should be done by e-mail to the Executive Secretary at wcbia@wcbia.com.

All relevant documentation including copies of the vessels registration certificate and Marine Park permit, brochures, number of passengers, retail “rack” price, trip duration and trips per week are to be forwarded to the WCBIA executive secretary within 30 days of the introduction of the vessel.

One vessel may be introduced by a member during a financial year without any increase in fees. Additional vessels introduced in the same financial year will normally be subject to additional fees, however the fee increase may be waived at the discretion of the Management Committee depending on the circumstances (for example the member may have removed vessels from their fleet).

All new vessels must undergo the Vessel Rating System audit within three months of introduction. The member will be charged for the audit at the normal VRS audit rates.

It is the members responsibility to ensure that all promotional material for the vessel adheres to the standards set in the WCBIA Certification Rules. If the member is unsure about the requirements they are strongly recommended to get a ruling from the WCBIA Compliance Committee before going to print. If promotional material is found to be in breach of the rules the member may be required to withdraw all all noncompliant material from circulation.

When a vessel is removed from the fleet the member is required to notify the WCBIA Executive Management Committee as soon as possible, but at least within 30 days. This should be done by e-mail to the Executive Secretary at wcbia@wcbia.com.

The member is responsible for ensuring that all promotional material is withdrawn from circulation in a timely fashion.

No refund of fees will be given for vessels removed during a financial year.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages an extensive suite of island national parks in the Whitsunday and Mackay regions, part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The regions are a mecca for boating, yachting, diving, snorkelling and nature-based activity. More than 1,400,000 people visit the regions each year and this is growing. At some islands, visitor use is having an impact on the environment and affecting the quality of visitor experiences.

The Whitsunday and Mackay Islands Visitor Management Strategy has been developed to ensure that: tourism is environmentally sustainable the regions outstanding values are professionally presented visitors have a rewarding experience the QPWS, partner organisations and tourism industry work together effectively. Particular emphasis is placed upon integrated planning and policies across islands, beaches and the surrounding Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The Strategy provides a policy framework for sustainable tourism and visitor use. Key initiatives include: Apply a system of visitor management settings to islands and sites to help guide management decision making, including permit assessment, site planning, facility development and presentation. Identify high use sites that will be managed in partnership with tour operators to ensure a very high standard of visitor facilities and services are provided. Identify key visitor destinations requiring new or upgraded facilities and information signage. Develop an investment plan that provides a strategic basis for seeking funding for facilities improvements from a range of public and private sector sources.