Sunday 5th May 2019
Carrick Castle Beach Clean – 11 am to 12 noon – Meet at the club’s noticeboard.
Wednesday 22nd May 2019
Carrick Castle Boat Club’s AGM at the Lochgoilhead Village Hall at 6.30 pm with refreshments afterwards.
Find out why boat insurance is not a ‘would like to have’ but a ‘must have’
Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or new to boating, there are many considerations for boat owners when it comes to insuring your boat.
RYA member reward partners and specialist marine insurance brokers, Bishop Skinner have been insuring pleasure craft for more than 40 years. That’s why we’ve got the experts at Bishop Skinner to go back to basics to answer the most common boat insurance queries, such as ‘how much cover do I need?’.
Why do you need boat insurance?
While it is not usually a legal requirement on most waters, having appropriate cover makes sound financial sense. Marine mortgage companies for instance insist on compulsory insurance as part of their money lending process. However, there are two stand-out reasons why boat insurance is not a ‘would like to have’ but a ‘must have’:
- Firstly you have to protect your capital investment against loss or damage which ultimately could result in a large and costly repair bill if the worst were to happen.
- Secondly having adequate boat insurance can help to protect you against any third party liability for injury or damage caused by you or your vessel. Third party liability is usually the most frequent claim we receive when it comes to boat insurance.
What does a typical boat insurance policy usually include?
Any physical damage covered by a boat insurance policy will usually include equipment such as hull, sails, machinery, furnishings, on-board equipment and the trailer if applicable.
Standard cover generally provides:
- Accidental damage, including fire, theft and malicious damage, sinking, stranding, collisions and salvage costs
- Damage to engines
- Transit risks up to 30 feet in length
- Lifting and launching risks
- Loss or damage caused by latent defects
- Frost
- Personal effects
- Damage to mast and rigging whilst racing can be purchased for an additional premium
Third party liability cover provides protection for you, or authorised persons using your boat, from claims made by third parties for death or injury or damage to third party property for which you may become legally labile.
What can influence the premium?
From a small dinghy to a large super-yacht or personal watercraft, each type of vessel will attract a different level of risk, so just like car insurance – boats are usually categorised according to their vessel type and risk.
A yacht will have a different risk assessment than a dinghy or a jet ski, so insurers will factor in the type of the vessel and any potential repair bills before calculating the premium.
In general, the actual size of the boat isn’t as important as its value, how easily it could be stolen and the potential for damage. If your boat is trailer-able and spends a large amount of time safely tucked away on your drive, you’ll probably pay a different premium than if it was stored at a marina.
The area in which you keep and use your boat will also have an influence on the level of premium you pay and may have restrictions on cover that are subject to local weather conditions.
The experience of the boat owner and the type of use i.e. private use, as a charter or racing vessel as well as previous claims experience are also taken into consideration when calculating the premium.
And finally…
Ensure you review any potential policy in detail before you commit to purchase. By undertaking a thorough analysis of every possible scenario, you should be able to get the right cover for your vessel and enjoy peace of mind when sailing without worry.
RYA members enjoy exclusive member discounts with Bishop Skinner. Visit www.rya.org.uk/go/bishopskinner
To find out more about RYA membership visit www.rya.org.uk/go/membership
New checks intended to save lives
From 1 April 2019 at least one carbon monoxide (CO) alarm becomes a mandatory requirement on nearly all private and non-private boats in scope of the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) requirements.
BSS Certifications will not be issued to boats without alarms. The new BSS requirements apply to boats with accommodation spaces i.e. areas within a boat surrounded by permanent boat structure and where carbon monoxide gas may accumulate.
Although the need for CO alarms is being introduced to help protect boat owners from sources of the toxic gas from neighbouring boats, the alarms are also expected to prevent death or injury to crew members from their own boat engines or appliances.
Be alarmed!
There are four new check items in the BSS examination:
- The provision of alarms in suitable numbers – this check ensures everyone on board can hear the alarm if it activates
- An advice check for private boats, promoting a CO alarm in the same space as a solid fuel stove – stoves can present a specific risk if flue gases enter the cabin
- The requirement for CO alarms to be placed in open view, be of a certified quality and have a test function button
- The requirement for CO alarms to be in good and working condition, showing no signs of damage, being within any visible expiry dates and passing the function test using the test button
The BSS has published a new handout as an essential guide to all the new requirements and background information. It covers what is required and how the checks will be carried out by BSS examiners and how the alarms can keep crew members safe, including:
- CO alarm makers guidance about where to place a CO alarm to achieve best protection
- What type of CO alarm to buy
- What to do if a CO alarm goes off
- What to do if carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected
Copies of the essential guide will be distributed by BSS Examiners. It is also available for marinas and boat clubs to distribute. It can also be viewed or downloaded from www.boatsafetyscheme.org.
#GetWiseGetAlarmedGetOut
Stuart Carruthers, RYA Cruising Manager, says: “The message is simple: carbon monoxide kills and an alarm could save your life. But the first line of defence is to know and understand the dangers and sources of carbon monoxide. It’s both colourless and odourless, hence the silent killer tag, and can kill quickly if inhaled in high concentrations.
“At lower levels of CO as it begins to take effect, the symptoms of poisoning are similar to flu or food poisoning, and include headaches, nausea and dizziness.”
CO detectors are commonplace in homes, but less so on boats despite them being the perfect place for the poisonous gas to build up. The RYA recommends fitting an alarm that is certified to the British Standard as suitable for use when camping and/or in recreational vehicles such as boats and caravans, which is known as BS EN50291-2:2010.
Take action
Stuart adds: “CO detectors alarm at a low concentration levels to give a person time to react and regrettably it appears that these are often mistaken as false alarms rather than early warning and are switched off.
“If the alarm sounds, it’s vital to take action to shut off sources of CO (engines, generators, open flame appliances) if safe to do so, get clear of fumes into the fresh air and seek medical attention immediately. By having CO alarms on board as a back-up, you should have a happy and incident-free time afloat.
“Don’t wait until your boat’s next BSS examination to get a CO alarm. Read the handout now and protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning today.”
The RYA is committed to increasing public understanding of the risks of CO poisoning in order to reduce incidents, fatalities and ill health related to the poisonous gas. Visit www.rya.org.uk/go/co for more information. 
HMRC responds to question on its treatment of boats returning to the UK from EU27 waters.
This has been the week where the House of Commons has arguably ‘taken back control’ of Brexit, with MPs forcing a series of indicative votes on eight Brexit options, ranging from no deal to a second referendum; all were rejected.
However, whilst MPs may have taken control of the process, they are yet to reach a conclusion on where it should lead to. Meanwhile, the Government still hopes to bring back its own deal for a third ‘meaningful vote’, buoyed by the recently announced support of some Eurosceptics who are wary of Parliament imposing a ‘softer’ Brexit on the Government and hopeful that the PM’s pledge to quit once the deal is secured will persuade more waverers to come onside.
Under the terms of the Article 50 extension agreed between the UK and EU leaders on 21 March, the UK has until tomorrow [29 March] to pass a meaningful vote on the Government’s Brexit deal if it is to secure a longer extension to 22 May. If not, the default will be departure on 12 April.
Whilst agreement on a longer extension at that point would be the most likely outcome, even the small prospect of a ‘cliff-edge’ departure is causing businesses and other organisations to continue to prepare accordingly.
As you will know from previous updates, RYA is no different in this regard, and we have been working with government since the referendum to find out more about how exactly a no deal departure would affect our members.
Key concern
A key concern which many members have raised with us is the issue of the treatment of boats returning to the UK from EU27 waters in the event of a no deal Brexit. RYA has been in constant dialogue with HMRC in order to obtain definitive answers to the many questions surrounding this and the issue of customs status for recreational craft in the event of no deal.
Previously, the EU Commission has indicated that, in the event of a no deal Brexit, boats lying in the EU27 at the time of Brexit would retain Union status and boats lying in the UK at the time of a no deal Brexit would lose Union status and have the status of UK goods.
The Commission has also indicated that, in this case, there would have been no export and therefore a boat lying in the UK at the time of a no deal Brexit would not be entitled to relief from VAT and import duty at the time of reimport to the EU and therefore VAT and, if applicable, import duty would be payable unless the boat qualifies for temporary admission. As UK legislation is based on the Union Customs Code and the EU VAT Directive, we have expressed our concern about the future status of boats lying in the EU27 if we have a no deal Brexit.
Government response
In response to RYA, HMRC has said that it has made plans to replicate Returned Goods Relief (RGR) into domestic law in the event of a no deal Brexit. RGR allows those resident in the UK to return with their belongings (including pleasure boats) to the UK without paying customs duty or VAT as long as the items have not been changed since their departure and follow the guidance given in Notice 236: Returned Goods Relief.
The UK Government has undertaken that RGR will be available in respect of UK pleasure craft not moored in the UK on EU exit day. They may return to the UK after exit and be subject to Returned Goods Relief as long as the person responsible has evidence that the VAT was paid on the purchase of the boat in either the UK or the EU. The types of proof needed are shown in Notice 8. VAT accounted for in the UK would need to be shown in respect of vessels purchased after the date of EU exit.
- Vessel owners not established in the UK can temporarily import their vessels using the rules set out in www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-8-sailing-your-pleasure-craft-to-and-from-the-uk/notice-8-sailing-your-pleasure-craft-to-and-from-the-uk#section5
- There is no need to have every UK boat back in the UK on EU exit day
Next steps
HMRC has committed to meeting with the RYA to work through the many questions that we have, in order to provide definitive and validated advice to our members. We will provide further updates on this and the other Brexit-related issues we have been working on with government as soon as we can.
In addition, RYA’s Brexit Q&A considers a number of boating-related scenarios in the event of a no deal scenario, based on the RYA’s knowledge of the legislation as it currently stands.
Article published 28 March 2019.
Pre-consultation: 18th March to 27th May View this email in your browser
Take part in the consultation now!
Read the pre-consultation draft Plan and take part in the consultation here. The pre-consultation opens today and will be running until 27th May and we encourage you to take part to let us know your views. The consultation form can also be downloaded, completed and returned to us via post. If you need a hard copy of the pre-consultation draft Plan and/or consultation form, get in touch.
The CMPP is running a series of events throughout the Region where you can learn more about marine planning, ask us questions and give us your views on the pre-consultation draft Clyde Marine Plan. See a list of these events below or you can also check out our events page to find an event close to you!
If you’re interested in helping to promote the pre-consultation phase, then contact us for a poster to publicise events in your area. Don’t forget to share your consultation experiences on social media and make sure to tag @clydemarineplan and use #ClydeMarinePlan!
What is the pre-consultation draft Clyde Regional Marine Plan?
As our regular readers will know, the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership (CMPP) has been working to develop a Regional Marine Plan for the Clyde. We have now developed a first draft, the ‘pre-consultation draft’, which all stakeholders, including the public, can comment on.
The pre-consultation draft is organised into two sections: (1) General Policies that provide a framework for the sustainable development and use of the marine and coastal environment; and (2) Sector Policies that relate to the key, current economic activities taking place in the Clyde Marine Region and provide a framework to ensure that the economic, social and environmental benefits are delivered.
This draft document contains policy that has been developed by considering key environmental issues in the Region (as captured in the Clyde Marine Region Assessment) and the views, experiences and knowledge of a range of stakeholders that have been involved in developing the pre-consultation draft so far, through a number of workshops. The Clyde Regional Marine Plan will be further developed in response to feedback and there will be a formal consultation at a later date. If you have any suggestions to add value to how the Clyde Marine Region is managed, then make sure you take part in this consultation!
The Sustainability Appraisal & Strategic Environmental Assessment
One of the requirements of the plan-making process is the need to complete a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). This is an assessment of the policies within the Plan, to measure what impact they would have on the environment. It considers things like – species, habitats, seabed sediments and water quality. As well as considering environmental effects, we have also assessed the potential impacts of the proposed policies on society and the marine economy. We are then able to produce a Sustainability Appraisal which includes consideration of impacts on the environment (SEA), along with impacts on society and the economy. We have prepared an interim Sustainability Appraisal including the SEA (SA-SEA) with the pre-consultation draft Plan; and there is a question in the consultation where you can provide any feedback you have on this document. You can read the SA-SEA here.
The process of developing the CRMP
The Clyde Marine Region Assessment (2017) provides a comprehensive review of environmental, social and economic trends and issues in the Clyde Marine Region. The Assessment highlighted issues that need to and can be addressed through policy. These issues were then discussed during workshops and working group meetings with relevant stakeholders to identify how policy and marine planning can contribute. Public engagement has been part of the Plan development process from the start; events have been held throughout the Region to increase awareness of marine planning and workshops have been held with the public in the process of developing the Clyde Regional Marine Plan. Public engagement will now continue during the pre-consultation to get feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders. Once the pre-consultation ends, the CMPP will address the responses, revise the Plan and start the statutory consultation process – another opportunity to review the Plan and provide feedback. We will keep you updated on the progress of plan development, including when the pre-consultation report is published.
Why is there a need for a Regional Marine Plan in the Clyde?
The Clyde Marine Region has a variety of marine users that engage in different activities in the coastal and marine environment. As these activities may use the same resources and/or space, there is potential for conflict. Balancing economic, environmental and social needs can be challenging. The Clyde Marine Region supports active fisheries, aquaculture and tourism industries (amongst other industries), is home to important wildlife, contains valuable historic environments and iconic seascapes. The Region also has key transportation links, a nationally important Naval Base and key energy infrastructure. This range of potentially competing uses of the coastal and marine environment can lead to conflict and can place pressure on the environment. Marine planning is an approach that can help address this.
What is marine planning?
Marine planning aims to manage the multiple uses of the sea in order to achieve environmental, social and economic objectives. It is an approach that drives the sustainable use of a region’s resources, whilst working with the different users of the marine and coastal environment to reduce conflicts between them and to support the marine environment, the economy and our society. Contributing to climate change mitigation and adaption are also important components of marine planning.
In Scotland, marine planning takes place at both a national level (through the National Marine Plan) and at a regional level (e.g. the Clyde Regional Marine Plan). Regional Marine Plans fit under the framework created by the National Marine Plan and with other legislation – such as those protecting species, habitats, water quality and other aspects of the environment. Marine planning also works with land-use planning authorities (e.g. Councils) to align policies where possible. The Clyde Regional Marine Plan considers regional issues, opportunities and needs, and addresses them in regionally specific policy.
This pre-consultation phase is an excellent opportunity for you to provide feedback, input into the process and guide the future development of the Clyde Regional Marine Plan.
Get in touch
Follow us on Twitter- @clydemarineplan
Email – social@clydemarineplan.scot
Phone – Sinead on 0131 314 6782
RYA Scotland aims to raise the flag for LGBT rights across Scotland, ensuring the sport continues to be accessible to all.
RYA Scotland is mid-way through a four year plan, a significant part of which is to ensure that boating in Scotland offers ‘a place for everyone’. Equality underpins everything we do and since achieving the Sport Councils Advanced Equality Standard in 2016 we have continued to push to be the best we can be.
RYA Scotland believes that we should be a champion for underrepresented groups in our sport. We already have a brilliantly successful programme in RYA Sailability which ensures we welcome people with disabilities. We are bringing in a series of events which we believe will encourage more women to engage in boating activities and we will begin to look at much more meaningful engagement of young people in our decision making processes as we evaluate our stakeholder representation through 2019. However we also want to ensure that we recognise and support the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people in our boating community, something we think we can do better.
Through 2018 we have been working towards the LGBT Youth Scotland Foundation Charter. Their support has been invaluable and challenging and has given us great confidence in our activities but also led us to understand we can and should do more and better for the LGBT+ Community in Scottish boating.
RYA Scotland has created a small group of Champions who are actively supporting our efforts to improve our support for the LGBT+ Community in Scottish boating and across our affiliated clubs and training centres. We have already made a significant input to the RYA UK guidance to clubs on transgender issues, supported the development of the policy on transgender squad members and made amendments to RYA Scotland policies to make them reflect LGBT+ rights more accurately.
Alongside this, we have commissioned LGBT Youth Scotland to deliver training on LGBT+ issues which staff, committee members and coaches have attended. Everyone felt this was really important and a great way to understand and address the issues LGBT+ people face when engaging in sport. We had some really positive outcomes from the training which are now beginning to translate into actions and we hope will engage clubs and training centres in the very near future.
To show our support for LGBT rights and LGBT History Month, the Management Committee of RYA Scotland have all signed a uniquely designed rainbow flag bearing the RYA Scotland Brand. We are challenging clubs and training centres to share this commitment by signing one of our five special rainbow flags, flying it at their club or centre, posting the image on their own social media channels using the tags below and including a link to the LGBT Charter of Rights.
#LGBTcharter
@LGBTYS
@ryascotland
To get involved contact admin@ryascotland.org.uk and one of our team may visit with a flag or we will send you a flag to sign and return. All the flags will be at the Club Development Day on the 24th of February with the flags touring clubs over the rest of 2019.
Our journey continues as we work towards completing the Foundation Charter. If you want to know more about the LGBT Youth Scotland Charter and what this means for an organisation like RYA Scotland, you can read the details HERE and find out more about the LGBT Charter Rights HERE
Our 30th Anniversary on 10th February 2019
Last night on 9th February 2019, eleven members of the Carrick Castle Boat Club celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the founding of the club at the View Restaurant in Lochgoilhead with a special dinner that was enjoyed by all…
| Queen’s Harbour Master Clyde |
| SURVEY OPERATIONS – LOCH LONG and Loch Goil |
| LNTM No 05/19 |
BA Charts 3746 1) Mariners are advised that Royal Navy Survey Vessel ” Shackleton” will be carrying out surveying operations in the Loch Long and Loch Goil commencing on 28th January 2019. The operations will last until the 29th March 2019 2) During this time they will be carrying out survey operations in the areas indicated in red. Please see below the chart extract and Image of Survey Vessel “Shackleton”:- 3)The survey operations will involve the towing of survey equipment behind the vessel. The total length of the tow is 100 metres. 4) A wide berth is requested at all times as the vessel will be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. The vessel will be displaying the relevant RAM shapes and lights to indicate this restriction. All vessels navigating in the area are to maintain a safe distance and operate at reduced speed with due regard to the effects of wash. 5) Further notice will be provided on completion of the works. 6) Further information can be obtained from QHM Harbour Control On VHF CH73 or 01436 67321 Ext 3555/4005. 7) Next CWM 06/19 |
The Carrick Castle Boat Club has received the below letter from Crown Estate Scotland:-
The Carrick Castle Boat Club was founded on 10th February 1989.
To celebrate its 30th Anniversary, the club members will be having a special 30th Anniversary Club Dinner on 9th February 2019 in the VIP Room at The View Restaurant, Lochgoilhead.
Local club members will be collected and returned free to their homes by the Loch Goil Community Minibus and be given a celebratory gift to remember the day by.
The cost of the special 3-course dinner with a welcome drink and coffee afterwards is £40.00.
Our only remaining founder member, Prof Forrester Cockburn will give a short speech prior to the dinner.
The minibus is limited to 14 persons per journey so if you have not yet booked a place, please do so with the club’s Secretary.