Light Dues

Of course the RYA have more clout than an individual, but I don't trust them enough to leave such important matters entirely in their hands. Since light dues are technically collectable on any vessel over 20 tons (this isn't enforced because nobody has come up with a reliable method of collecting) the RYA haven't been that succesful to date...
 
Re: Dues 40p/ton

You have not mentioned that the 40p per ton is only payable for the first seven visits each year. After that it is free. A contributor to Fairway, the Royal Institute of Navigation Small Craft Group newsletter, has a very interesting item on both light dues and licencing of yachtsmen as proposed by Capt Chestnutt(!), Southampton Harbourmaster.
 
It's not just the RYA that are replying; CA are working on it as well.

As someone else has said, the vast majority of buoys used by yachtsmen are laid by harbour authorities, who already get a contribution from yachtsmen in the form of harbour dues. Most of the buoys laid by GLAs are offshore, and when used by yachts are primarily used as separators from big ships, rather than as navigational seamarks.
 
Jamieson Interview

The Summer issue of the RYA Magazine contains an interview with David Jamieson, Shipping Minister in which he gives his views on subjects as varied as Light Dues, Registration of Yachts, Drinking and Sailing and Risk Assessment with regard to events in harbour autyhority boundaries. Interestingly, while he is undoubtedly leaning towards introducing light dues for yachtsmen, he does not think registration is a practial way to go.

JJ
 
Speaking as an ex-professional lobbyist I would suggest that those with a view should reply directly to the DLTR with their views and copy those to the RYA so that they can be used in the response to the government. If people feel strongly, they should also make their views known to their local MP. It is important that this gets the publicity now as, in my experience, its much harder to change things later than earlier.

Typically for a lobbyist, I've not read the consultation (I only just found out about it here!) but I will do so. Its worth bearing in mind that views on the lines of "why should I bl**dy pay" and "just another s*dding tax" won't wash. However, all the comment in this forum seems serious and worth sharing with the government.

i) DTLR not understanding the needs of the pleasure boater
ii) the difficulties in managing, policing and collecting the dues
iii) the fact that, if the comments in this thread are right, the service is running at a surplus already

Depending on the contents of the consultation it may also be worth asking what the extra money will be used for and why the balance between pleasure and commercial craft needs shifting.

It strikes me that this may be the thin end of the wedge on the way to much fuller regualtion (as other people here have suggested) which may or may not be a good thing.

Mark Sharman
 
Agree with this MarcusMan

The consultation document has various headings

What use do pleasure craft make of GLA provided aids to navigation?
Pleasure craft are less well equipped and make more use of the GLAs services?
Is collection of pleasure craft charges feasible?
What level of contribution should pleasure craft make?
Issues surrounding registration of pleasure craft.
Alternative methods of collection

My intention was to direct my views and the facts I have towards those topics, I will also copy to RYA/MP. I'm still working on this to make sure I have my facts straight! Hope others are doing likewise...

TomE
 
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