REPRESENTING BOATING INTERESTS
Our public affairs specialists continued to work tirelessly on a range of issues that could have an adverse impact on recreational boating. Of these, Brexit continues to pose a number of unique challenges.
The RYA has maintained its engagement with Government and its departments to ensure that the impact on recreational boating is fully recognised. Since the revised Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration was agreed in October, we have worked on a number of key policy issues that need to be resolved before the end of 2020 in the event that the transition period is not extended. These include financial penalties arising from the end of free movement of goods between the UK and EU, VAT, the impact of the Schengen Agreement on extended cruising in EU community waters and future border controls for recreational boats entering or leaving the UK.
We responded to a number of consultations, including a significant campaign that has successfully reinstated sailing and windsurfing to the PE Activity List following the Department for Education’s public consultation. This was a major boost to our work to enable young people to get on the water and to develop within our sport.
We submitted robust responses to consultations on yacht and powerboat safety, offshore renewable energy installations, proposals to withdraw UKHO small craft folios, marine licencing, planning and environmental applications, highly protected marine areas and conservation zones, harbour revision orders and a DfT Maritime Safety Action Plan.
Our strong collaborative relationship with the MCA, MAIB and RNLI saw us once again play a leading role in the development of boating safety education. At the start of the season we launched a new, year- round calendar of short, impactful safety videos covering a broad
7 ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2020
range of safety topics, from kill cords and clipping-on to cold water shock and lifejackets, across our website and social media channels.
Our discussions with HMRC continue on the availability of red diesel for recreational craft and the impact that mandating the use of white diesel would have on users of diesel propelled craft operating in UK inland waterways and the coast, especially in the more remote parts of the UK.
Following the announcement of the Government’s lockdown due to the pandemic, our cruising and legal teams reacted quickly to the vast increase in enquiries from individual members, clubs and recognised training centres. We published up to date advice and information on our Covid-19 hub as the situation evolved, covering its impact on RYA events and training courses, along with comprehensive legal, financial and insurance guidance and support.
GETTING AFLOAT
Increasing participation continues to be a primary focus for the RYA, in particular supporting our clubs, centres and other affiliates to develop their activities in line with the ever increasing pace of change we are experiencing in society. The 2019 Affiliated Clubs Conferences built on the ‘Futures’ theme of the previous year but focused on ‘Putting People First’ and presented the latest RYA research on volunteering alongside other more general club development topics. A total of 586 delegates from 289 clubs joined us and feedback was again very positive.
Meanwhile, clubs and centres appreciated the opportunity to hold Push the Boat Out events throughout the month of May in 2019, this time attracting 33,671 people to the 270 clubs and centres who signed up to the programme.
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