RYA and BF (?) approaching Govt to clarify Boating activities ?

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Capt Popeye

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Hi read somewhere today that the RYA and a Boatbuilding Federation, (or something akin) are approaching the Govt about lifting restrictions on Boating or at leat clarifying them.

Good job I say, I have heard of boat theft arrising from the near total abscense of Boatmen around Boatyards etc ; a thieves bonanza at the moment
 
Good point Little Grebe, but would think that it would sort itself out given time; where I am boating in South Devon most often think that I am the only one either on the Foreshore or afloat;

Not sure what the sittuation is, if breakins or theft have occured during this Lock Down period, are we covered by Insurances, have we been taking due care and diligence ?

Really do not want to find out, eh ?
 
Could easily work on a timed rota scheme.
Only allow so many on a pontoon at a time with a fixed time allowance.
If problems found, agree a way to find solutions.
 
Capt Popeye said:
Not sure what the sittuation is, if breakins or theft have occured during this Lock Down period, are we covered by Insurances, have we been taking due care and diligence ?
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I can well imagine a shyster insurer trying to pull a trick like that, but I can't see the insurance ombudsman letting them get away with it.

It's all about reasonable precautions. In my case, the boat's in the club compound, which is closed, so I have no access. There are no reasonable steps I can take. Likewise, if your boat's in a marina behind locked gates 100 miles away. There are no reasonable steps you can take. OTOH, if the marina's saying you can't come, but don't worry, we're looking after your boat and she sinks, did the marina take reasonable care?
 
Hi I ask or mention the Insurance Company maybe asking about Due Care and Diligance; because having just taken out insurance again I was asked how often do you visit your craft to check on it; I stated, quite rightly, about every week, which is factual ; but of course in the present circumstances I have not been able to; so a 'get out option' for Insurance Company ? I do like the comment by Stemar though, guess there just might be many of us making claims so all in the same boat, so as to speak {:-(#
 
Not quite the same thing, but I've seen statements from home insurance companies that they're waiving the "how long the house is left empty" limits where people are staying somewhere else because of the plague. Similarly the main student insurer is covering possessions left at uni while the students have gone back to their parents' homes. One would hope that marine insurers would take an analagous approach.

If you're concerned, why not email your insurer and ask?

Pete
 
wizard said:
Could easily work on a timed rota scheme.
Only allow so many on a pontoon at a time with a fixed time allowance.
If problems found, agree a way to find solutions.
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Snag is that I, and no doubt many others, live a substantial distance from our berths. It's nearly a two-hour drive for me, and even if I were to use the closest marina to my home, it would be an hour and a half. With the best will in the world, I can't guarantee to arrive at a specified time - there are a couple of potential bottlenecks on the roads. And when I arrive, I will certainly not be interested in sitting in the car park until the appointed time. Further, although it is possible for me to go to the boat for a day - I've done it from time to time when working on things - in general it isn't cost-effective for me to go down just for the day; my wife and I usually go for long weekends or longer. Finally, we depend on shore-side facilities such as toilets and showers; we have no holding tank and hot water is only available after running the engine for a while. So, basically, for me, either the marina is open as usual or it is closed - there isn't a viable "in-between".

Postscript for Capn Popeye - we used to keep the boat on the Clyde, an 8 hour journey from home!
 
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I'm not sure how useful this, but here's a thought. I live no more than 40 minutes from probably 75% of boats moored in the Solent, with easy access to everywhere from Eling to the Hamble. Once we are allowed out or 'checking on a boat' becomes a 'reasonable excuse', if anyone wants me to pop along to their boat because for whatever reason they can't, and facetime/messsenger/whatsapp video call you from the boat I'm happy to do it. I have no idea how gaining access would happen, but I'm sure it's not an insurmountable problem.
 
Jungle Jim said:
I'm not sure how useful this, but here's a thought. I live no more than 40 minutes from probably 75% of boats moored in the Solent, with easy access to everywhere from Eling to the Hamble. Once we are allowed out or 'checking on a boat' becomes a 'reasonable excuse', if anyone wants me to pop along to their boat because for whatever reason they can't, and facetime/messsenger/whatsapp video call you from the boat I'm happy to do it. I have no idea how gaining access would happen, but I'm sure it's not an insurmountable problem.
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A generous and thoughtful gesture (y)(y)
 
wully1 said:
How far do you allow someone to travel to check on their boats then? Is it ok to travel from a high Covid are to a low to zero infection area?
I would like everyone to stay away from here until it is safe FOR US for you to return...then you will most certainly be welcome.
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+1

Wales are considering tightening the travel restrictions to - travel within local area only. Whether they will be able to stop people arriving from England, is another matter.
 
mainsail1 said:
The time is fast approaching when we all need to be treated as responsible adults. One size does not fit all.
We need to return to assessing risk for ourselves now that we have a better idea of what the risks are.
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I quite agree
 
mainsail1 said:
The time is fast approaching when we all need to be treated as responsible adults. One size does not fit all.
We need to return to assessing risk for ourselves now that we have a better idea of what the risks are.
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Any population that voted for Brexit and then elected Johnson have already demonstrated an inability to behave as adults.
 
Correcting thread drift, I wrote to RYA on behalf of my SC seeking advice for members worried about not being able to get to their boats to check them, their reply (which I have Stuart's permission to reproduce) on April 2nd as follows:

The RYA fully supports the measures that the Government has put in place to tackle the spread of the virus and we have produced guidance on our website for members in response to the enquiries we have been receiving about recreational boating in the UK during the crisis. This has been recently updated to reflect the Prime Minister's statement made on 23rd march and the Health Protection(Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations 2020 that were enacted last week.
However, we are also acutely aware that the Government decision to close marinas in line with caravan parks, as part of the measures being taken to tackle the spread of the coronavirus is of considerable concern to boaters and their inability to access their boats and protect their assets. We full understand concerns about boat security, maintenance and the impact on insurance cover, all of which are creating anxiety and stress for boat owners.
Therefore, we have written to Government about the impact of its decision and to make the case that the opportunity to spend time on their boat and possibly do some simple maintenance or cleaning would greatly enhance their wellbeing and provide peace of mind in respect of the issues that I mention above. I am sure that you will be aware of the comments made last week by Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove regarding the acceptability of people visiting their allotments. We take the view that spending time on an allotment is exactly the same as spending time on a moored boat and we have asked Government to provide clarification on parity with a visit to an allotment.
Regards
Stuart Carruthers
RYA Cruising Manager
 
oldharry said:
Correcting thread drift, I wrote to RYA on behalf of my SC seeking advice for members worried about not being able to get to their boats to check them, their reply (which I have Stuart's permission to reproduce) on April 2nd as follows:

The RYA fully supports the measures that the Government has put in place to tackle the spread of the virus and we have produced guidance on our website for members in response to the enquiries we have been receiving about recreational boating in the UK during the crisis. This has been recently updated to reflect the Prime Minister's statement made on 23rd march and the Health Protection(Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations 2020 that were enacted last week.
However, we are also acutely aware that the Government decision to close marinas in line with caravan parks, as part of the measures being taken to tackle the spread of the coronavirus is of considerable concern to boaters and their inability to access their boats and protect their assets. We full understand concerns about boat security, maintenance and the impact on insurance cover, all of which are creating anxiety and stress for boat owners.
Therefore, we have written to Government about the impact of its decision and to make the case that the opportunity to spend time on their boat and possibly do some simple maintenance or cleaning would greatly enhance their wellbeing and provide peace of mind in respect of the issues that I mention above. I am sure that you will be aware of the comments made last week by Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove regarding the acceptability of people visiting their allotments. We take the view that spending time on an allotment is exactly the same as spending time on a moored boat and we have asked Government to provide clarification on parity with a visit to an allotment.
Regards
Stuart Carruthers
RYA Cruising Manager
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Just for clarity the government did not decide to close marinas, each marina has made their own decision to close based on guidance/interpretation from British Marine.
 
In essence then if a marina decides to open its doors the English law permits a boat owner to travel to their place of Exercise (Boat) go sailing using good old common sense , to keep social distancing , wash hands no problems ,
One can argue how long can marinas keep closed before the grumbling of boat owners are heard .
 
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