A Referendum to End Boating as We Know it in the UK

You only need two tools in life - wd-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the wd-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

Daily thought:

Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.
 
Bosun Higgs said:
Not a troll - he's simply making the popint that if there were a referendum in the uk, those are the answers we would get. And he's right. Something like a repeat of the 79 fastnet could easily trigger that reaction.
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There are a number of issues where it is generally believed a referendum could force a change in government policy, Capital Punishment and leaving the EU stand out as notable examples. We don't really know since if we had a referendum on these issues public knowledge on the issues would presumably increase and the result might be different. Anyway that isn't the way our democracy works and whilst the internet has produced opportunities for more public involvement I think most would proceed with caution, the law is already littered with ill thought out legislation that was brought in as a result of a knee jerk reaction.

If Steve knows of actual proposals from a government, statutory body or anybody else of significance he should tell us. Otherwise IMHO this is scaremongering.
 
Nostrodamus said:
You only need two tools in life - wd-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the wd-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

Daily thought:

Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.
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Tut tut you forgot the third item.............................................................a bottle opener :D
 
glashen said:
If Steve knows of actual proposals from a government, statutory body or anybody else of significance he should tell us. Otherwise IMHO this is scaremongering.
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Keep a close eye on the Marine Management Organisation and DEFRA over the next ten to fifteen years. They plan to 'make the sea safe for everyone'. In political speak, that can mean only one thing: regulation.

I have spent a lot of hours digging down in to their websites over the last three years, researching MCZs for BORG, and I mean a lot of hours.

Look at the long term scope of the Government 'Marine Plan' enshrined in the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. It will eventually affect all users of UK waters with the aim of 'making the seas safe for all users'. At the moment the government doesn't have the money to do much of it, and is struggling even to pay for the fundamental proposals they are already committed to, like the MCZs. But there are big changes afoot in the commercial sector, and not necessarily for the better.

So nothing much until the financial crisis is resolved, if it ever is. But if we survive the financial crisis as a country, it will happen. Eventually.

Steve's OP may be a troll. Unfortunately, fundamentally he is right to be worried. Scaremongering? maybe, but the writing is on the wall - or at least the concept is now on the Statute Book.
 
Steve C Cronin said:
Question 1;

"Should private UK citizens be allowed to continue to set sail in boats without prior qualifications?"

Question 2;

"Should private pleasure vessels be required to give way to all commercial craft at all times"

The result would of course be 1; NO and 2; YES

Keep your heads down!
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There was a time when you didn't need a driving test to go on the roads. As they became busier regulation was required and now you'd be a fool to think we should go back to how it was. If the seas really became that busy then qualifications could well become a necessity. There wouldn't be a referendum but I can see it happening eventually.

As for question 2. This would fly in the face of the IRPCS and would be impossible to implement since we don't write that rule book. At any rate it would be just as practical as suggesting that all private cars should give way to HGV's and busses and it wouldn't take much education to make enough of the public see that if it came to a vote.

The result would probably be 1: NO and 2: NO. Those without tickets would all go and get their ICC from the RYA and we'd all carry on as before.
 
Woodlouse said:
Those without tickets would all go and get their ICC from the RYA and we'd all carry on as before.
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The ICC is really little to do with the RYA. They only issue it on behalf of the government. It is actually a UN sponsored document intended to show that the holder is competent to a minimum level.

Logically any compulsory qualification would be based on the ICC standard and it would be a massive task to test everybody to that standard, even though it is very basic and unlikely to have any impact on perceived safety.
 
Tranona said:
The ICC is really little to do with the RYA. They only issue it on behalf of the government. It is actually a UN sponsored document intended to show that the holder is competent to a minimum level.

Logically any compulsory qualification would be based on the ICC standard and it would be a massive task to test everybody to that standard, even though it is very basic and unlikely to have any impact on perceived safety.
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No, but it would create a lot of jobs, be a nice little earner for a cash strapped government, and bring 'proper control' and 'safety measures' where there are none at present. Fortunately they cannot afford to set it up. Yet.
 
oldharry said:
No, but it would create a lot of jobs, be a nice little earner for a cash strapped government, and bring 'proper control' and 'safety measures' where there are none at present. Fortunately they cannot afford to set it up. Yet.
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That's why there is nothing in it for politicians. There are much easier issues to get into before this comes up on the radar. The pro lobby for the status quo is very strong. Look how the drink legislation stalled even though it does not need an Act. Same issues of relevance and implementation would arise.
 
oldharry said:
No, but it would create a lot of jobs, be a nice little earner for a cash strapped government, and bring 'proper control' and 'safety measures' where there are none at present. Fortunately they cannot afford to set it up. Yet.
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Although it would also I believe start a decline in the industry, many part time dreamers who have boats in the garden etc boat yards etc will just sell up realizing they will never sail again...

Never mind the fishermen with there 15-20 foot boat in the garden. What about kids (young adults?) sailing dinghys ? yachts? Keel boats? at what age will they need the qualification?

As others have said the ICC only shows a minimal level its not really a certificate of competence, like your driving licence. We learn from experience after passing the test...

ANY qualification will be IMHO no different, except it will give some people false confidence...
 
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