Red Diesel / RYA

apollo

apollo

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I have just read the following in this months Practical Boat Owner...

belgians2.jpg


Wherease I am not that surprised by the behaviour of the Belgians despite this having been raked across before many times, I am disappointed by the response from the RYA.

Is it me or does it read like "Dont give me your problems.." ?
 
Well, it's a members organisation, isnt it, so lets hope Nick is a member ;)
More seriously, I dont think they have the resources to take legal challenges all around the EU, surely? That is going to be up to the individual to challenge, if they feel so inclined.They can offer an overview of EU law,and advise members of problems in various countries.
 
neale said:
Not sure about the GC1 letter, but there is this letter from the European Commission. Copies in various languages on this link.
Click to expand...

I deleted my post after I re read the article, (not an easy copy to read) as it appears the couple were armed with the letter which is a concern.
 
Philiz said:
But if the Belgian authorities refused to read any letters as stated in the article, carrying a copy of it wouldn't have done them much good would it?
Click to expand...
Belgian civil servants are not the only ones who believe themselves to be above the law. It seems to be endemic.
 
This is just the sort of thing the RYA should take up. If they did, they would get a great deal more MoBoers think that joining would be beneficial. They are supposed to be the voice of all boaters. They must have the money to run this as a test case. I would be happy for my membership cash to be used for this and it affects Mobo and Rag and stick alike.

Come on RYA, stand up for us.
 
Newsailer said:
This is just the sort of thing the RYA should take up. If they did, they would get a great deal more MoBoers think that joining would be beneficial. They are supposed to be the voice of all boaters. They must have the money to run this as a test case. I would be happy for my membership cash to be used for this and it affects Mobo and Rag and stick alike.

Come on RYA, stand up for us.
Click to expand...

Actually, I think the RYA is just as bad at supporting the raggies as the motorboaters.
When it comes to actual "on the water" support, they are next to useless.
 
PCUK said:
Yet another good reason for leaving the EU (Union what union?) ASAP
Click to expand...
The EU has made the legal position of UK boats with red diesel in their tanks quite clear, and has put that decision in writing. Unfortunately, it is not only in the UK that overzealous officials regard themselves as above the law, and choose to ignore the law even when it is pointed out to them. Thanks to the EU, there is at least a possibilty of getting the matter resolved. Without the EU, there would not be.
Andrew_Fanner said:
Hurricane said:
Actually, I think the RYA is just as bad at supporting the raggies as the motorboaters.
When it comes to actual "on the water" support, they are next to useless.
Click to expand...
<cynic>
Its because its a non-issue for offshore racing.
</cynic>
Click to expand...
I can see nothing in the OP to suggest that the victims were/are members of the RYA or asked the RYA to help. The only reason the RYA is involved in this incident at all appears to be because PBO asked for their comments.

But the RYA did fight long and hard to preserve our right to use red diesel for as long as possible, it did persuade HMRC to adopt the 60:40 rule that at least means we are not paying vastly more for our fuel than our fellow Europeans, it did go to the trouble of getting written clarification direct from the EU, and it did make a copy of that letter available to anyone who cares to download it.

What do you want the RYA to do: send a trained multilingual lawyer to ride shotgun on every boat that goes abroad, ready to argue the finer points of EU law with every jumped-up little bureaucrat they might come across? And what would you like them to do if the bumptious little gobshite refuses to listen?
 
timbartlett said:
What do you want the RYA to do: send a trained multilingual lawyer to ride shotgun on every boat that goes abroad, ready to argue the finer points of EU law with every jumped-up little bureaucrat they might come across?
Click to expand...

I would like some "helpful advice" from the RYA when asked by PBO rather than a "naff orf and deal with it yourself" which is the gyst of their answer.

If this happens to me (and I am a member for the time being...) I would like them to advise me on how I should handle it....eg should I refuse to pay up until the pr&ck reads the letter or what?

Most of us are not legal eagles and hence look to the RYA to advise us on what our rights are and are not. Forarmed is forwarned.

I dont think that is much to ask.
 
apollo said:
I would like some "helpful advice" from the RYA when asked by PBO rather than a "naff orf and deal with it yourself" which is the gyst of their answer.

If this happens to me (and I am a member for the time being...) I would like them to advise me on how I should handle it....eg should I refuse to pay up until the pr&ck reads the letter or what?

Most of us are not legal eagles and hence look to the RYA to advise us on what our rights are and are not. Forarmed is forwarned.

I dont think that is much to ask.
Click to expand...

which bit of the RYA's legal department response do you think fails to live up to your stated needs?

seems to me they were very straightforward with their advice.

the issue of what to do when governments decide to act outwith 'international' laws is way beyond the RYA's brief
 
Perhaps they could lobby, via an MEP, for an official document, with an EU heading and Directive id, in English, French, Dutch and whatever other languages are needed.

"This is a UK regisetered and flagged private vessel. The fuel on board is legally purchased in an EU member nation and may, under Directive [whatever] be freely imported to any other EU nation for personal use in that vessel without further duties or taxes being charged by the host nation. The vessel owner undertakes not to land any of the fuel or pass it on to any thrid party execpt in an emergency situation.Vessel owners who are so charged or detained in contravention of this letter shall have the legal right of recompense, such recompense may, at the court's discretion, be imposed personally on the official concerned."

Or simply.
"This chap isn't breaking any EU law. He's not going to be flogging the stuff to anyone. If you try and nail him for something he has not done he can sue you personally for it."

Too much to ask? It is, after all, no more complicated than the Green Card saying "this feller, despite any evidence you may claim to the contrary, has passed a recognised driving test" and international motoring insurance stuff that was around for years.
 
Andrew_Fanner said:
Perhaps they could lobby, via an MEP, for an official document, with an EU heading and Directive id, in English, French, Dutch and whatever other languages are needed.
Click to expand...
That's a brilliant idea. :)
Maybe they could even make it freely available for anyone to download from http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectio...ating Abroad/EUCommLetterandTrans30Sept08.pdf:)
Bit of a bummer if some obnoxious official refused to read it, though.
But hey, no-one could possibly blame the RYA for that, though, could they?
 
Question is, who would have the balls to say "No, you are wrong, I am not paying" and risk seizure of the boat, personal detention & incurrence of massive legal fees while it all slowly grinds to a conclusion thro' due process?


Answer is; Not me pal! If one protests but pays up, what chance of sueing the burk responsible to get your money back? Probably nil, I guess.
 
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