Today at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) and the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) proudly launched Navigate with Care: Protect Our Oceans, a joint campaign that promotes safe and environmentally responsible boating practices.

Unveiled by IFAN’s Development Manager Francesca Pradelli during the Ocean Decade Forum, the campaign encourages mariners to take simple, proactive steps to avoid harming sensitive marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds. At its heart, Navigate with Care is about advancing two vital and connected goals: safety at sea and protection of marine life.

As Francesca said in her speech, “Safe and sustainable navigation practices are no longer optional. They’re key to saving countless marine environments, and their species. And one of that species is us.”

The campaign was born from a conversation between KSLOF and IFAN during the Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue in Rio de Janeiro. Although the two organizations approached ocean issues from different directions—one from conservation, the other from maritime safety—they quickly found common ground. That moment of connection grew into Navigate with Care, an official UN Ocean Decade Activity designed to spark action, foster collaboration, and offer mariners guidance they can use before they ever leave port.

The campaign invites boaters, ocean advocates, and maritime professionals to take the Navigate with Care pledge, committing to:

• Use navigation tools and Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) to avoid damaging sensitive marine habitats
• Anchor and navigate responsibly to protect coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests
• Respect local no-go zones and marine protected areas
• Promote safe and sustainable boating by leading through example

By pledging to #NavigateWithCare, mariners affirm their commitment to protecting both human lives and fragile ocean ecosystems.

The Foundation plans to build on today’s launch with a series of educational webinars, outreach campaigns, and informational materials designed to help mariners around the world navigate more safely and sustainably. These efforts will continue to highlight how responsible boating practices benefit not only the environment but also the safety and livelihood of those who rely on the sea.

As Francesca reminded us in Nice:

“Safe navigation is ocean conservation—when it’s done with care.”

Take the Pledge

If you’re ready to protect what matters most, we invite you to take the Navigate with Care Pledge and join a growing community of mariners and ocean stewards committed to leaving a better trace behind.