codice etico
Adopted by resolution of the Board of Directors no. [NUMBER] dated [DATE]
Effective from [DATE] • Version [NUMBER]
1 Mission and purposes
Sail On Foundation, hereinafter “Sail On” or the “Foundation”, pursues civic, solidarity and public benefit purposes on a non-profit basis. Its work connects marine environmental protection, research and technological innovation, education and the promotion of responsible behaviour.
Within the scope of the activities set out in its Statute, the Foundation promotes research into nautical technologies and propulsion systems with a lower environmental impact, knowledge of marine ecosystems, and scientific, technological and environmental education. Partnerships with schools, universities, research centres, organisations and businesses must contribute to these purposes and deliver a benefit in the general interest.
Research into electric, hybrid, hydrogen and other propulsion solutions is assessed on the available evidence. No technology is considered sustainable simply because of its name or a funder’s interest. Education, sea trips, demonstrations, regattas and events are designed to serve the mission, with attention to safety, accessibility and actual impacts.
2 Scope and status of the Code
The Code sets out the Foundation’s commitments and rules of conduct. It applies to the founder, directors, President, oversight bodies, auditor where appointed, members of any committees, director general where appointed, employees, contractors and volunteers in the performance of their respective roles.
Partners, suppliers, consultants, ambassadors and others acting on behalf of the Foundation undertake to comply with the relevant provisions through the agreements governing their relationship. Supporters, benefactors and adherents are informed of the Code’s principles and the conditions applicable to their participation.
The Code supplements operational and contractual rules, subject to the law and the Statute. It does not establish new governing bodies, change responsibilities, quorums, appointment powers or the founder’s prerogatives, or grant supporters governance rights beyond those provided by the Statute. In the event of conflict, the law and the Statute prevail; the Board makes the necessary amendments.
3 Compliance and accountability
Everyone subject to the Code must comply with applicable rules, authorisations, delegated powers and spending limits. The Foundation’s interests, urgency or a request from the founder or a funder cannot justify unlawful conduct, falsification or the circumvention of controls. Where doubt arises, a review must be sought before commitments are made or activities begin.
4 Governance and conflicts of interest
The Board of Directors directs and reviews implementation of the Code. The President and any delegates oversee its application within their respective powers. The Supervisory Body and auditor retain their separate functions and independence. Any Scientific Committee contributes to technical assessments in an advisory capacity, without replacing the governing bodies.
Anyone involved in a decision must promptly disclose personal, family, professional or financial interests that could interfere with their judgement, even in appearance. This includes shareholdings, appointments, relationships with donors or suppliers, and rights in technologies under research.
Disclosure must precede consideration of the decision and be updated if circumstances change. The person concerned must not assess their own transaction, must abstain from voting and from activities that could influence the outcome, in accordance with applicable legal and statutory rules. The conflict, measures taken and reasons for the decision must be documented. If a valid decision-making process free from interference cannot be ensured, the transaction must not proceed until the issues are resolved in accordance with the law and the Statute.
Transactions with the founder, directors, their family members or connected parties require specific reasons demonstrating the Foundation’s interest, a review of the appropriateness of the terms, and a documented approval process. Assets, technologies or resources originating from the founder are not exempt from these checks.
5 Assets resources and use of the vessel
Assets, income and operating surpluses are used for the Foundation’s operations and statutory purposes. Unjustified private benefits and direct or indirect distributions of profits are prohibited. Remuneration, engagements, reimbursements and purchases must relate to genuine services or supplies on appropriate, authorised and documented terms.
For each vessel, item of equipment or asset acquired in ownership, on loan for use or under another arrangement, written terms must clarify the basis on which it is held, permitted uses, costs, responsibilities, maintenance and what happens when the arrangement ends. Restoration, refit and investment must be justified by the projects and the asset’s future availability, particularly where the owner is a connected party.
Use of the vessel is authorised for activities consistent with the mission. Records must cover purpose, person responsible, participants, duration, costs and activities undertaken. Unauthorised personal use and charging private expenses to the Foundation are prohibited. The presence of guests, donors or partners does not turn a private cruise into an institutional activity: its educational, scientific or representational purpose must be substantive and documented.
6 Accounting and controls
Every transaction must be traceable through authentic documentation and accurate records. Where segregation of duties is feasible, the person proposing expenditure must not alone also certify satisfactory performance and payment; otherwise, a documented compensating control must be in place. No one may obstruct lawful access to documents and information by those responsible for oversight.
7 Research integrity and testing
Each research project must define its objectives, benefit in the general interest, person responsible, methods, resources, risks and expected results. Protocols, original data, versions and reasons for changes must be retained so that conclusions can be verified. Testing must be conducted by suitably competent people, with the necessary authorisations and an assessment of risks to people and the environment.
Fabricating, altering or manipulating the selection of data, omitting results that contradict a hypothesis to favour a sponsor, or presenting prototypes as already validated solutions is prohibited. Negative results, methodological limitations and uncertainties must be reported clearly. Claims about emissions, noise, efficiency and sustainability must state test conditions, comparisons and the scope of assessment, distinguishing operational impacts from life-cycle impacts.
Researchers must disclose funding, financial interests and contributions received. Scientific decisions must not be made conditional on producing conclusions favourable to a funder. Significant or disputed findings, and those intended to support public claims, require proportionate technical review, including external review where necessary. Errors identified after publication or dissemination must be corrected promptly.
8 Results intellectual property and supporting businesses
Before projects with third parties begin, written agreements must cover pre-existing rights, ownership of new results, access to data, use of prototypes, licences, confidentiality and publication terms. The Foundation must not grant rights it does not hold and must respect licences, attribution and the contributions of researchers and partners.
Any non-exclusive access to results granted to supporting businesses must follow transparent criteria consistent with the Statute and the purpose of serving the general interest. Financial support does not buy influence over conclusions or automatically secure exclusive rights, certifications or financial benefits. Every benefit must have a clear basis and appropriate terms, avoiding indirect distributions and the misclassification of donations or payments for goods or services.
Confidentiality agreements or patent protection arrangements may provide for justified, time-limited restrictions. They must not require falsification of results or concealment of safety or environmental risks. The Foundation promotes the dissemination of knowledge within the limits of third-party rights and the protection of individuals, documenting the reasons for any restrictions.
9 Environmental protection in activities
Before trips, tests or events, fuel and energy use, emissions, noise, waste, discharges and potential interference with habitats and wildlife must be assessed. Disturbance, removal of natural resources or wildlife, harmful anchoring and activities in protected areas without the required conditions must be avoided. Measures must prevent spills, manage batteries, fuels and hazardous materials, and ensure proper waste disposal.
Activities must be modified or suspended where conditions may cause unacceptable harm or necessary authorisations and safeguards are missing. A project’s environmental purpose does not remove the need to assess its adverse effects. Events are also selected for consistency with the mission and a proportionate balance between impact, costs and expected benefit.
10 Safety on board and operational responsibilities
Every activity at sea must have a designated organiser and skipper with the required competence and qualifications. Before departure, checks must cover the vessel’s suitability, maintenance, equipment, insurance, navigation and capacity limits, weather and participants’ needs. Experimental activities require a specific assessment; guests and students must not be exposed to testing risks that are not adequately managed.
The skipper retains authority over navigation safety decisions. Promotional, financial or scheduling considerations must not compel the start or continuation of an unsafe activity. Before boarding, participants must receive clear instructions on conduct, equipment, emergencies and the limits of the experience; a waiver alone is no substitute for preventive measures.
Procedures must cover emergencies, assistance, communications and recording of incidents and near misses. Everyone may report a dangerous situation and request that an activity be stopped by immediately contacting the organiser or skipper. No one may undertake duties for which they are untrained or when their physical or mental condition is incompatible with safety.
11 Education children and vulnerable people
Initiatives with schools and universities must define educational objectives, roles, responsibilities for accompanying participants, participation arrangements and safety rules. Participants must be selected using relevant, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria. Accessibility needs must be assessed before the activity, without promising services or conditions the organisation cannot guarantee.
For children, the required documents and authorisations must be obtained, responsible adults identified and suitable supervision provided. Unnecessary one-to-one contact in isolation, inappropriate private communications and conduct exposing individuals to abuse, exploitation or humiliation must be avoided. Donations or personal relationships must not secure privileged access to participants.
Images and testimonials may be collected and shared only where the required conditions are met and with respect for individuals’ dignity, context and wishes. Refusal to take part in promotional communications must not prejudice access to activities. Any suspicion of abuse or danger must be handled promptly, prioritising the person’s protection and obligations towards the competent authorities.
12 Employment collaboration and volunteering
Sail On opposes discrimination, harassment, violence, exploitation and retaliation. Selection, appointments, training and assessment must be based on competence, reliability and actual needs. Employment and contractor relationships must be properly defined, and no one may use their position to obtain personal favours or impose conduct that undermines dignity.
Volunteers must receive clear duties, training, supervision and the required protections and insurance. Volunteering must not be used to disguise paid work; reimbursements must comply with the law and adopted procedures, without concealed remuneration. Required records must be maintained and compatibility between roles checked. Everyone must respect confidentiality, equipment and safety instructions.
13 Fundraising donations and relationships with supporters
Campaigns must truthfully and clearly identify the organiser, purpose, intended use of funds and contact details. Guaranteed results, unverified tax benefits, access to research or services that are not actually provided for and lawful must not be promised. Undue pressure and the exploitation of vulnerability, fear or personal information to obtain contributions are prohibited.
Donations must be collected through authorised channels in the name of the entitled recipient and recorded with any restrictions. Use of PayPal or other providers requires reconciliation of gross receipts, fees, refunds and amounts credited. Collection through personal accounts and misleading statements about fundraising costs or the share allocated to projects are prohibited.
Before accepting significant or unusual contributions, or contributions subject to special conditions, proportionate checks must cover the supporter’s identity, lawful origin of funds and compatibility of requests. Concerns must be referred to the Board, which documents reasons for any refusal, suspension or return of funds in accordance with the law and agreements. A donation does not make a conflict with the mission acceptable.
Restrictions on the use of funds must be respected and accounted for. If a project is no longer feasible, funds must not be arbitrarily redirected: agreements and the law apply, with donors informed and their consent obtained where necessary. Supporters’ rights and recognition remain those provided by the Statute and lawful agreements.
14 Partners suppliers and institutions
Partners and suppliers must be selected on documented criteria of competence, quality, total cost, safety, reliability and environmental compatibility. Comparison of alternatives must be proportionate to the commitment and risk; direct awards or awards to connected parties require specific justification. Agreements must define deliverables, responsibilities, fees, results and applicable rules.
Donations, sponsorship, commissioned research and purchases must be distinguished and accurately represented. Logos, patronage and partnerships must not imply certifications or endorsements that do not exist. The Foundation may work with businesses on the environmental transition without surrendering independent assessment of their conduct or the ability to report unfavourable findings.
Relationships with institutions and authorities must be handled by authorised people using truthful information and complete documentation. Bribery, facilitation payments and promises of benefits to obtain improper treatment, including through intermediaries, are prohibited. Documents must not be concealed, nor checks or inspections obstructed.
15 Gifts hospitality and benefits
Offering or accepting money, personal advantages or benefits intended to influence decisions is prohibited. Courtesy gifts must be occasional, proportionate and compatible with the recipient’s rules; they must be disclosed and recorded under internal procedures. Where doubt arises, they must be refused or referred in advance to a responsible person who is not involved. Dealings with public officials must also comply with specific applicable prohibitions, without exceptions based on local customs.
16 Information personal data and communications
Confidential information, credentials, personal data and documents are accessible only to those who need them for their role. Authorised tools, appropriate security measures and purpose-related retention periods must be used. Donor, participant, student and contractor data must not be shared with sponsors or used for other purposes without a valid basis.
Privacy notices must precede data collection; newsletter subscription remains separate from donations and participation. Misdirected messages, lost devices, unusual access and possible data breaches must be reported immediately to the responsible internal contact for assessment of the necessary action.
Only authorised people may speak for the Foundation. Statements, the website, social media and fundraising materials must distinguish planned and completed activities, requested and received resources, estimates and verified measurements. Fabricated data, false testimonials and unsupported generic or absolute environmental claims are prohibited. Artificial intelligence does not remove the duty to verify content; confidential data must not be entered without authorisation and adequate safeguards.
17 Reporting concerns and protecting people
Breaches, risks or questions about the Code may be reported to the confidential address [EMAIL ADDRESS FOR REPORTING CONCERNS]. If a report concerns the person handling it or anyone able to influence their work, it must be addressed to the Supervisory Body via [email andrea@andreafrattini.it]. The channels and responsible contacts must be made known to those covered by the Code.
Reports should state facts, dates and available documents where possible. They must be assessed impartially and confidentially, limiting access to those handling them and respecting the rights of the person concerned. No one may investigate or decide alone on matters concerning themselves. Cases involving directors require a conflict-free assessment involving the Supervisory Body and, where necessary, an independent professional.
Retaliation against anyone who reports on reasonable grounds, assists enquiries or refuses conduct contrary to the Code is prohibited. An unsubstantiated report is not a false report; knowingly making false accusations remains prohibited. Confidentiality is protected within legal limits. Access to authorities and legal reporting obligations remain unaffected; emergency services must be contacted in immediate danger. Specific statutory whistleblowing procedures and protections apply where their conditions are met.
18 Implementation breaches and updates
The Board approves the Code, assigns responsibilities and reporting channels, and ensures dissemination, training and periodic review. The text is published on www.sailonfoundation.org and provided when relationships begin; contracts must include relevant commitments and proportionate remedies. The Board reviews concerns and corrective measures at least annually, protecting the confidentiality of individual cases.
Breaches must be established through a process allowing those concerned to respond, with measures proportionate to severity and circumstances. Only competent persons or bodies may impose disciplinary action, contractual remedies or decisions on offices or membership categories, under the law, the Statute and contracts. The Code creates no additional removal or exclusion powers. It takes effect on the date in the adoption resolution; updates follow the same procedure and are communicated to those covered by the Code.
SAIL ON FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS