Who speaks for us

So, were the RYA, which has its origins in sailing yacht racing, right to try to defend the interests of the powerboat sector? On other occasions they have also embraced surfboarding and personal watercraft (JetSki is a brand name!). But the plain fact is that government and the outside world in general lump all forms of leisure boating together without distinction. The RYA has argued for a policy of self regulation, and developed a wide range of training courses, codes of practice and information dissemination. So far, the effect of this has been to stay the regulators, and persuade them that the complexities of legislation, and compulsory registration and certification are not justified by any realistic gain. But the pressures are on.

Even though I have major reservations about some other areas of RYA activity, they are the only body that has automatic access to government. There is also the Cruising Association that has done some sterling work, for example in containing some of the more outrageous initial proposals of the International Maritime Organisation and UK authorities with respect to radar reflectors, the continued use of VHF channel 16, and the preservation of BBC weather forecasts. But the CA does not cover the range, and does not command the same automatic right to be consulted that the RYA has. I am a member of both. When I disagree with what they are doing in my name, I tell them! The RYA has some full time staff, but the main committees of both organisations are made of individuals who are prepared to put a lot of time and expertise into some quite complex and arcane matters on our behalf. They really deserve our support.