Representing Boating Interests


Representing the interests of our members and providing advice to the boating community has never been more important than it has been over the last 12 months. Our extensive guidance was delivered across multiple communication channels and via our COVID-19 hub as the pandemic evolved against a backdrop of changing laws, information, guidance and a varied international picture. This covered advice on events and training courses, and comprehensive legal, financial and insurance guidance and support.


Most importantly, we successfully lobbied for boaters to be able to get back on the water safely as part of the first phase of permitted activity as the first lockdown restrictions began to be lifted.


Using the most up-to-date technology will enable a simpler user experience. It will be easier to login and access the members’ only pages and improved ‘Where’s my Nearest’ feature. Members are encouraged to create a free ‘MyRYA’ profile, offering access to personalised news, offers and relevant information and advice. This single sign-in account enables users to view their credentials online, apply for an ICC, make RYA training exam payments and purchase sail numbers. Content is more regionalised, and a new email function has been developed.


The future development of clubs is essential to the growth of all forms of boating and our new ‘ClubZone’ resources have been designed to help clubs make the most of the opportunities to encourage and increase membership. We will also continue to support our network of Regional Development Officers with growing club membership and engaging new participants.


We are aiming to offer a more individual approach to


membership, for our instructors and the one million plus people who access our RYA recognised training centres each year. We are also trialling a new engagement journey for those members who join to obtain an International Certificate of Competence (ICC), with tailored content designed to enhance their boating experiences and membership and encourage them to continue their support.


We have assessed what activities and services triggered by COVID-19 should continue to evolve in 2021-22. We will retain the best new features and ways of working from the hybrid or virtual events we have delivered, from our live streamed AGM to electronic voting, to continue to grow the one to one relationship with our members. Our interim one-year Transition Plan is based on input from across the organisation, consultation with our members, and a range of external factors. It aims to see the RYA through a period of uncertainty and change, as we focus on the recovery our sport.


Work also continued on non-COVID-19 related issues. Of these, the after-effects of Brexit continued to pose a number of unique challenges. We have produced a comprehensive guide to offer guidance on VAT, buying and selling boats and cruising abroad. We have also escalated our concerns on post-Brexit tax matters to HMRC and the Minister for EU Relations.


We successfully lobbied for boaters to be able to get back on the water safely as part of the first phase of permitted activity as the first lockdown restrictions began to be lifted


After continuous campaigning, we were delighted with the Government’s decision that recreational boaters could continue the use of red diesel. However, we were disappointed that the same allowances were not granted for recreational boaters in Northern Ireland and will continue to work with our colleagues in RYANI to maintain dialogue with Government.


Following our combined lobbying with British Marine, HMRC granted boat owners whose vessels were located in the EU at the end of the Brexit transition a six-month extension to the one-year Returned Goods Relief grace period. Boat owners now have until 30 June 2022 to return their boats to the UK from Europe to avoid making a second UK VAT payment.


RYA ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021


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