Dorset tech company campaign to protect seagrass

The app ‘savvy navvy’, founded by Jelte Liebrand and often referred to as ‘Google Maps for boats’, is now able to show the locations of seabeds and eco-moorings.

The new feature is part of the ‘#protectourbeds´ global campaign by savvy navvy in partnership with Clean Sailors and the Ocean Conservation Trust.

Its aim is to inform water-users on where sensitive seabeds lie in the Southwest to minimise disruption to them.

Seagrasses combat climate change by absorbing and storing huge amounts of carbon but are estimated to be the fastest disappearing habitat on the planet mainly due to avoidable human activity.

David Cusworth, head of innovation and partnerships at savvy navvy, said: “We are so excited to work with Clean Sailors and the Ocean Conservation Trust, and be one of the only navigation apps on the market helping to build environmental awareness of carbon footprint through showcasing vital seagrass data.

“While savvy navvy is all about simplifying boating technology by making navigation safe and easy for everyone, innovative campaigns helping boaters to make better choices when out on the water is something we feel very strongly about.”

Mark Parry, head of ocean habitat restoration at the Ocean Conservation Trust, added: “The addition of sensitive habitat information on savvy navvy navigational charts is the first time the boating community can easily understand what lies beneath the keel.”