Influence
A leading voice for sailing, boating and related matters nationally and internationally.
Making waves, making change
We’ve listened to our members this year and stood up to make sure your voices are heard at the highest level:
• In 2025, we reviewed more than 400 consultations, including 300 marine licence applications assessed, ten Harbour Revision Orders, and over 30 local and central Government consultations.
• We provided feedback to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to help them write their new Sport and Pleasure Code of Practice. The new code of practice, the result of three years of review and consultation with industry bodies, must be met by anyone operating a small commercial vessel in commercial use for sport or leisure purposes. A phased introduction began in December 2025, starting with new vessels entering code for the first time. Our focus on working with the MCA on these new guidelines was to ensure the measures outlined were proportionate, appropriate and effective.
• We also worked with the MCA and supported clubs to ensure that obligations under the revised Ports and Marine Facility Safety Code - released in April 2025 - are understood and put into practice.
• Our work with the Clean Water Sports Alliance (CWSA) continued at pace this year. Defra Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy MP, praised the group for our ‘tireless advocacy’, adding that ‘your passion and persistence have helped keep water security and river health on the national agenda’. This persistence is absolutely key to making real and lasting change, such as the modernisation of bathing water rules that the CWSA has successfully campaigned for since its inception. Thanks in part to CWSA campaigning, the Government has committed to developing plans for multiple monitoring points at bathing water sites, helping provide a clearer picture of water quality and better information for recreational water users.
• Although these changes to the monitoring of water quality are a step forward, the work of the CWSA isn’t over. Following the publication of the Government’s Water Reform White Paper in January 2026, we held a drop-in session for MPs and Parliamentarians alongside other members of CWSA to highlight how the pathways laid out in the White Paper could and should be improved. The CWSA believe the Paper lacks practical detail and specificity, and is overly focused on drinking water with recreational uses overlooked. We wished to share our insight to help improve the ongoing work in this area and push for faster action on water pollution.
• The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent on 3 April. This important legislation aims to boost safety and preparedness across the UK by requiring certain venues and events to have clear plans in place should a terrorist incident occur. This includes boating and sailing clubs that can hold more than 200 people. But we’ve made sure our community’s needs weren’t overlooked - we worked alongside the Sport and Recreation Alliance to make sure the law is proportionate and practical, and are pleased to say that several of our recommendations have been adopted. We will continue to engage with the Government on this law and will also be supporting clubs with their preparedness ahead of the law coming fully into force in April 2027.
16
RYA Annual Strategic Report 2026
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
