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Dinghy Show 2021 goes virtual
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UK boaters to be hit by post-Brexit travel rules
RYA asks government for visa assurances in ongoing EU negotiations
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n RYA survey has revealed that a great many UK boaters will be hit by restrictions on how long they can stay in Europe after the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December 2020. With the end of the free movement of people, all UK citizens, including boaters, will be subject to the Schengen rule. This will restrict them to spending no more than 90 days in any continuous 180-day period in the Schengen Area before they have to obtain a visa for each Schengen country they plan to visit. Over 98% of the 2,271 people who responded to the survey said that they currently boat in the Schengen Area, and 71% spend more than 90 days in a rolling 180-day period in the area, either boating or on other leisure or travel activities. Responding to specific questions, 74% of UK sailors boating abroad said they will be ‘slightly or greatly affected’ by the limitations of the Schengen rule. Currently the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has simply confirmed that the EU has already passed the Schengen rule. Furthermore, it has accepted that this is the standard length of stay that the EU offers to nationals of eligible countries that enjoy visa-free travel for EU citizens, in line with existing EU
legislation. At the end of the transition period it will apply to all UK nationals travelling to and within the Schengen Area. Correspondence from the FCDO confirms that UK nationals may be able to extend the EU’s 90/180-day visa-free allocation, but they will need to discuss the specifics of their situation with the relevant member state authorities. In contrast, the UK will treat EU citizens travelling to the UK as non-visa nationals for the purposes of tourism and holidays, meaning they can come to the UK as visitors for six months without a visa. For that reason the RYA is calling for the UK government to negotiate a reciprocal arrangement in the ongoing negotiations with the EU. Howard Pridding, RYA’s Director of External Affairs, says the new visa rules will have a huge effect on UK boaters in the EU. ‘This survey reveals the scale of the impact that reverting to standard Schengen travel rules will have on UK boaters,’ he says. ‘They will be forced to change their plans in light of these new restrictions, causing significant disruption and administrative burden. As the current negotiations draw to a close, we urge the UK government to call on the EU to reciprocate the offer made by the UK to EU citizens, and extend visa-free travel to six months.’
he 2021 RYA Dinghy Show will be a virtual event, following a consultation
with exhibitors. While our show team had been working out ways to safely hold a live event, and over a hundred companies had registered their interest in appearing at the event, the majority of potential exhibitors said they would rather postpone until 2022 due to ongoing uncertainty about Covid restrictions. While nothing can replace the unique atmosphere of the RYA Dinghy Show, we’ll ensure visitors enjoy an exciting online experience, with virtual exhibitors, expert talks, coaching sessions and much more. The event will be held on 27–28 February.
Keep up with Show news at
www.dinghyshow.org.uk
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RYA welcomes new Maritime Minister
he RYA is looking forward to working with the new Maritime Minister, Robert
Courts, to discuss the issues and opportunities currently facing recreational boating in the UK. A Conservative MP since
2016, Robert represents Witney, Oxfordshire, and was appointed to the post of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Transport in September.
Photos: Miljko / Getty images
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