Regulatory & Technical Services Group

Update on the Cruising Association’s orca project

The phenomenon of orcas damaging small yachts and other vessels along the south and west coasts of Spain and Portugal began in 2020. It is linked with the migration of tuna exiting the Mediterranean from the Strait of Gibraltar and heading West and North around the Iberian Peninsula, into the Bay of Biscay, primarily between the months of June and October.

Orca Update

The work of the CA’s Regulatory & Technical Services group (RATS) orca project continues, with the ongoing collation of interaction and uneventful passage reports in order to help research possible solutions to the phenomenon of orca interactions along the Iberian Peninsula.

Warning - Sailor killed by malfunctioning flare

On 1 January 2023, a Dutch sailor was killed by a malfunctioning flare during a passage in the Pacific Ocean.

The sailor fired the flare just after midnight to celebrate the New Year. Unfortunately, despite being deployed correctly, the flare malfunctioned and, despite the efforts of the crew, the sailor died shortly after the incident.

You are invited to a Cruising Association evening on Orcas, Windfarms and Taxes

At this evening talk, on Wednesday 8 March 2023, the Cruising Association’s Regulatory & Technical Services group (RATS) will cover some of the hot topics on orcas, windfarms and taxes.

The evening is open to members and non-members, either in-person at CA House, London or via Zoom. It will take the form of five short presentations with the focus being on advice cruisers can use in practice, followed by a panel discussion and Q&As from the audience:

Cruising Association Statement regarding Returned Goods Relief (RGR)

At a meeting with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on 14 December 2022, attended by RATS (Regulations and Technical Services Group) on behalf of the CA and by other boating organisations, it was announced that no changes will be made to the VAT rules for boats located in the EU on 31 December 2020 that had never been in the UK under their current ownership. If such boats enter UK waters while owned by a UK resident then UK VAT will be payable.

Hurst Point Sector light: curtailment of extinguishment

In our August newsletter to members, we reported that the CA’s Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS) had written to Trinity House regarding the timing of the Hurst Point Sector light being extinguished for maintenance – see Notice to Mariners 27/2022.

UKHO plans to end production of all printed Admiralty charts by 2026

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has announced its intention to withdraw from global paper chart production by late 2026 to increase focus on its digital navigation products and services.

UK Government launches new online platform for pleasure craft to register arrival and departure to and from the UK

The UK Government, via the UK Border Force, has developed a new digital reporting service, known as ‘single Pleasure Craft Reporting (sPCR)’, which pleasure craft are asked to use as the preferred method when leaving or entering the UK on passage to EU countries, the Channel Islands or the rest of the world.

Royal Institution of Navigation awards Fellowship to Robin Baron, Chair of RATS

Robin Baron, chair of the CA Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS), has been awarded a Fellowship by the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN).