What’s New, What’s Changing: An evening of knowledge with RATS

Save the date for an evening with the Cruising Association’s Regulatory & Technical Services (RATS) Group at 1900 hours on Wednesday 18 March 2026.

RATS will delve into the current hot topics that may impact your upcoming cruising and share practical advice. Members and non-members are invited to attend, either in-person at CA House, London or online via Zoom.

This sixth annual RATS seminar will feature presentations by expert CA members on current topics crucial to the cruising community:

• Lithium Batteries: Power or Peril?
  Rick Ballard will discuss the benefits and risks of lithium battery systems on cruising boats. He will cover essential safety practices, common installation pitfalls, and what insurers now expect so cruisers can stay both protected and compliant.
• Staying Connected: Starlink and the future of onboard comms
  Robert Sansom will present an overview of modern communication options afloat, including the rise of Starlink. We will look at systems, discuss reliability and safety implications, and help you choose the right setup for your cruising style.
• Cleaner Cruising: Decarbonising the recreational boating world
  Alan Kohler will take a practical look at how cruising boats can reduce emissions, from alternative propulsion and renewable power to simple efficiency upgrades. The session also includes a look at regulations shaping greener boating.
• When Abroad: making sure your kit is legal
  Different countries have different safety and equipment rules. Sarah Banks will highlight the key variations and explain how to ensure your boat stays compliant wherever you are cruising.

The presentations will be around 15 minutes each for a total of approximately one hour, followed by a Q&A session. Topics may be subject to updates.

Members and non-members can attend in-person (Tickets £4 member / £7 non-member) at CA House London or via Zoom (Free). More details and booking links will be available soon on our events pages.

About RATS

You will also discover how RATS plays a crucial role in helping cruising sailors understand and navigate regulatory and technical challenges. From interacting with government bodies to engaging with offshore developers and the marine industry, RATS ensures the concerns of the cruising sailor are heard. RATS is an executive committee of the Cruising Association made up of CA volunteers.