Howth Yacht Club has taken a pioneering step towards greater environmental sustainability with the appointment of Sarah Robertson as its first-ever Environmental Officer.

This is the first such role created by any sailing club in Ireland.

The newly created role is part of a broader effort by the club to respond to increasing ecological pressures on Ireland’s coastal and marine ecosystems and to embed sustainability into the core of its operations.

Sarah Robertson brings nearly two decades of professional experience in environmental consultancy, along with a lifelong personal connection to the sea.

A Principal Environmental Consultant with a leading Irish firm, she has worked across Ireland, the UK, and the US in areas such as environmental impact assessment, ecological surveys, environmental auditing, and Natura Impact Statements.

She holds a BSc in Environmental Science, a Master’s in Marine Environmental Protection, and a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Engineering.

In addition to her academic and professional expertise, Robertson is an active sailor and a regular competitor at Howth Yacht Club, racing both a family Puppeteer, Snowgoose, and a Melges 15 named Snoopy. She is also a keen paddleboarder.

“This role is a wonderful opportunity to bring together my professional and personal passions,” she said. “I’m looking forward to engaging with members of all ages on how we can preserve and celebrate the incredible biodiversity around Howth and beyond.”

In her new role, Robertson will work closely with the club’s management, members, and youth sailing programs to promote environmental awareness and reduce the environmental impact of club activities. She will also serve as a liaison with both local and national environmental initiatives to ensure that Howth Yacht Club contributes actively to marine protection efforts.

The appointment comes at a time when sporting and recreational organisations across Ireland are being encouraged to take more responsibility for their environmental footprint.

The club is already actively involved in marine conservation through its participation in the Green Ocean Oyster Restoration Project. The initiative aims to restore native European oyster populations (Ostrea edulis) in Irish waters as a way of rebuilding biodiversity, improving water quality, and capturing carbon.

HYC’s move comes as public and policy attention increasingly turns toward the health of Ireland’s marine environments. Climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss are among the key challenges, and organisations like Howth Yacht Club are beginning to play a more visible role in tackling them.

Robertson’s appointment is likely to be watched closely by other sailing and watersport clubs around the country as a potential model for integrating environmental stewardship into club operations and culture.

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