Sail Martha’s Vineyard, organizers of the Vineyard Cup Regatta next weekend, have been certified as a clean regatta by Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation nonprofit focused on the sailing and boating community. The three-day event features daily races, plus evening food and refreshments open to everyone on the Island.

Clean Regattas certification provides independent, third-party verification that a yacht club, sailing program or regatta is environmentally responsible, and is doing its utmost to protect and restore the waters upon which people sail. The idea is to reduce the impact on our oceans and coastal waters.

The Vineyard Cup (July 16 to 18) regatta kicks off at Vineyard Haven Harbor with three days of yacht racing with all of the proceeds going to support Sail MV’s many year-round maritime programs. The event welcomes sailing enthusiasts — professionals, amateurs, bystanders — who love the sea, wish to support Sail MV and want to enjoy the sights, music and entertainment offered throughout the festival. Information on the weekend, as well as online registration forms and the Notice of Race (NOR), is online at vineyardcup.com. For details, call 508-696-7644.