20 April 2026
Global launch set for 22 April (World Earth Day)
After two years of development, August Race™ is preparing to launch its new Oceans Assured™ initiative globally on 22 April, signalling a significant shift in how sustainability is approached across the leisure marine sector.
Rather than relying on marketing-led environmental claims, Oceans Assured™ has been developed to champion a more robust, science-based approach—grounded in verifiable data, regulatory alignment, and full transparency.
At the core of the initiative is a complete reformulation of the August Race™ product range. All products are now:
- 100% Non-Harmful to the Marine Environment (Non-HME)
- Fully aligned with MARPOL Annex V requirements
- Supported by verified data, documentation, and full traceability
The expanded range also introduces operational maintenance products—including laundry detergents, kitchen cleaners, multipurpose degreasers, and lubricants—designed to support both leisure and commercial marine operations in meeting compliance standards.
Addressing a Global Challenge
The launch comes against the backdrop of a significant, yet often overlooked, environmental issue. With an estimated 60 million recreational vessels in use worldwide, routine cleaning and maintenance practices represent a major source of marine pollution.
August Race™ analysis of publicly available marine cleaning product data suggests that around 70% of products are classified as harmful to the marine environment. Based on conservative usage estimates, this could equate to over 160 million litres of potentially harmful chemicals entering the marine environment each year from routine cleaning alone.
Oceans Assured™ has been designed as a direct response to this challenge—providing a practical framework for more responsible operations across the industry.
A Practical Pathway to Compliance
The initiative offers clear benefits for stakeholders across the marine sector, including:
- Supporting marina and boatyard operators in reducing regulatory and insurance exposure
- Enabling contractors to meet MARPOL obligations
- Helping distributors and retailers guide responsible product choices
- Empowering vessel owners to make informed, sustainable decisions
These outcomes are supported by a new digital compliance platform, which will be unveiled as part of the launch. Key features include:
- Live batch-level traceability
- Attested lifecycle assessment (LCA) data
- Transparent product and packaging specifications
- A global vessel compliance checker
Global Launch Event
The global launch will take place on 22 April (World Earth Day) at 3:30pm BST, streamed live from Premier Marinas’ flagship site at Noss on Dart, Dartmouth and can be viewed here:
The event will feature:
- Announcement of the global distributor network
- Keynote contributions from:
- Holly Manvell
- Mark (Robert) Smith
- Peter Wallbank
- A live demonstration of the digital compliance platform
The initiative has also received support from Innovate UK, further reinforcing its credibility and relevance.
Driving Industry-Wide Change
August Race™ is working closely with organisations including The Yacht Harbour Association to ensure the initiative reaches marina operators and stakeholders at the point of use.
To support adoption, a downloadable “We’re Onboard” badge has been created for retailers, associations, and operators to visibly demonstrate their alignment with the Oceans Assured™ movement.
As the industry continues to evolve, Oceans Assured™ represents a clear step towards more transparent, accountable, and evidence-led sustainability—helping to protect marine environments while supporting compliant, responsible operations across the global leisure marine sector.