Sir Robin Knox-Johnston warns of double VAT for extended cruises

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston warns of double VAT for extended cruises
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston warns of double VAT for extended cruises

In a letter published in The Times, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, patron of the Cruising Association (CA), has highlighted the devastating effect of HMRC’s demands for VAT on boats returning to the UK. This includes all British boats that had been out of the UK for three years having to pay VAT again on their return.

His letter is counter-signed by many other sailing names including Sir Ben Ainslie, Mike Golding OBE, Pip Hare, Dee Caffari MBE, Libby Purves OBE, Paul Heiney and Bob Shepton, in addition to the president of the CA, Julian Dussek.

The text of Knox-Johnston’s letter says:

“The freedom for yachtsmen and women to sail from the United Kingdom and return a few years later has been struck a deadly blow by Continue reading “Sir Robin Knox-Johnston warns of double VAT for extended cruises”

Revised Marshall Islands Yacht Code 2021 published

The Marshall Islands have released their new Yacht Code 2021
The Marshall Islands have released their new Yacht Code 2021

The RMI Maritime Administrator has further revised the Marshall Islands Yacht Code 2021 to reflect changes in today’s yacht market, not only in terms of the increasing size and complexity of yachts being designed and built, but also to cover recent industry developments. The Code was first published in 2013 and this is the most significant update to the Code since then.

This new Code incorporates all Yacht Code Supplements issued as amendments to the previous Code, as well as additional technical and safety updates. These include structural fire protection for yachts of less than 500 gross tonnage (GT) assigned with Category 2 notation, rescue Continue reading “Revised Marshall Islands Yacht Code 2021 published”

Plans for the Genoa Superyacht Hub project launched

Genoa Superyacht Hub - Genova, cantieri Amico - Madame Gu
Genoa Superyacht Hub – Genova, cantieri Amico – Madame Gu

Two leading players active in the Italian superyacht market, Amico & Co and the Presto Sea Group, have jointly launched the Genoa Superyacht Hub project. A key aim of the project is to strengthen Genoa’s role as a year-round superyacht destination and home port for superyachts of all sizes and expand the city’s superyacht economy.

In a press statement the two partners said: “The Genoa Superyacht Hub project was created with the desire of promoting the excellence of the companies’ combined incoming, assistance, technical and hospitality services, specifically targeting these towards the international superyacht community in a synergic and efficient way, as well as valorising the cultural and environmental characteristics and the quality of life that the Genoese territory, Liguria and Northern Italy in general have to offer.” Continue reading “Plans for the Genoa Superyacht Hub project launched”

Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France

Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France
Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France

Reports in France say that after a series of explosions and fires, the Prefecture of Pyrénées-Orientales in the south-west of the country has ordered the suspension of sales and recall of all lithium batteries of the ‘Energy Cases’ brand, marketed by SAS P.C.E, based in Perpignan.

The batteries were suspected of causing several explosions and fires that occurred over the past 10 months throughout France.

To date, the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDTM) of the Pyrénées-Orientales has identified at least six incidents involving the batteries. Included in this list was a fire that ravaged three 8m boats in the port of Lavandou in July 2020. Continue reading “Lithium batteries withdrawn following boating fires in France”

Queen’s Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company

Queen's Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company
Queen’s Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company

The Wight Shipyard Company, manufacturer of aluminium marine craft based in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade in recognition of its work to increase British exports. The company builds high-speed passenger ferries, tourist vessels and commercial workboats for the windfarm support vessel market, both domestically and internationally. It was formed by entrepreneur Sir Charles Dunstone and business partner Peter Morton in 2016, with a vision to restore the UK’s shipbuilding business.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition,” says Peter Morton, chief executive. “The overarching ambition was always to see a revival in British shipbuilding to compete on an international stage. To do so, we understood and drove the need for efficiencies whilst nurturing a completely new generation of shipbuilders in order to produce world-beating products for both the domestic and international markets.”

Continue reading “Queen’s Award given to the Wight Shipyard Company”

New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies

New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies
New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies

The Australian Marine Safety Safety Authority has published new guidelines for complex maritime emergencies. As they stress, complex maritime emergencies are a persistent threat to the global maritime environment, and those who work on and by the sea.

We are periodically reminded of this threat by seemingly-random, catastrophic events ranging from collisions to offshore spills and even the loss of aircraft in remote areas.

AMSA recognises that in order to be truly effective in the management of complex maritime emergencies, we must work in a coordinated and collaborative fashion with numerous partners and stakeholders—many who bring advanced understanding of the operational environment, and many who do not.

This handbook has been designed to provide leaders with cross-jurisdictional, multi-cross-sectoral framework and conceptual guidance for managing complex maritime Continue reading “New Australian national guidelines for complex maritime emergencies”

Boat Works Stage 3 expansion drives job opportunities

Boat Works Stage 3 expansion drives job opportunities
Boat Works Stage 3 expansion drives job opportunities

Just one year after the completion of the $100 million marine infrastructure expansion which resulted in the world-class superyacht facility and marina berths, The Boat Works Stage 3 has been ushered in, a new services hub for marine professionals, representing an additional $30 million investment. The new workshop expansion is the final opportunity for marine businesses to secure tenancies in the two yards located in the Gold Coast Marine Precinct and demand is high, with over 60 percent already leased.

Construction has been spurred on due to the high demand of boats – an exponential growth triggered since opening the additional Continue reading “Boat Works Stage 3 expansion drives job opportunities”

Cyprus Shipping: Cyprus incentivises registration for boats and superyachts

Cyprus Shipping: Cyprus incentivises registration for boats and superyachts
Cyprus Shipping: Cyprus incentivises registration for boats and superyachts

The Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry (SDM) has updated its ship registration policy with the introduction of technical standards for four types of vessels. These new technical and safety standards are designed to attract boat and superyacht owners to the Registry of Cyprus Ships, as well as increasing safety standards.

The new technical standards specify technical requirements on areas not currently covered by national, European Union, or international legislation. They have been developed as part of government policy on the Registration of Vessels in the Cyprus Register of Ships and are applicable to the following categories of boats and superyachts: Continue reading “Cyprus Shipping: Cyprus incentivises registration for boats and superyachts”

Composites and recreational boating industry team up to make headway on circular economy

European Boating Industry (EBI) and the European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA), representing respectively the Recreational Boating and Composites industries at European level, have agreed on a new partnership. The aim is to jointly tackle the key challenges around circularity of composites used in the recreational boating industry and promote sustainable recycling solutions to the supply chain for end-of-life boats. Composites are the main material for manufacturing of recreational boats.

Following a common understanding of the importance of the circular economy and aiming to find solutions for end-of-life composites, EBI and EuCIA agreed a formal partnership. The aim will be to find common approaches to the key issues of dismantling, recycling, and the Continue reading “Composites and recreational boating industry team up to make headway on circular economy”

Australia’s domestic superyacht industry booming

Australia’s domestic superyacht industry is booming, doubling in size. Vessels have been attracted to Australia and its buoyant domestic charter market. With borders closed, many superyachts have moved to Australia to offer a luxury alternative to overseas travel. This increase in charter activity in Australian waters provides a huge economic lift for the country.

Seemingly this increase in vessel activity has a direct correlation to the new charter legislation passed by the federal government in December 2019. The passing of the Special Recreation Vessels (SRV) Act of 2019,  coupled with the closure of international borders have contributed to accelerated growth of the industry.

Continue reading “Australia’s domestic superyacht industry booming”

New production facility as Oyster Yachts makes a significant investment

New production facility as Oyster Yachts makes a significant investment
New production facility as Oyster Yachts makes a significant investment

Oyster Yachts is undertaking a considerable expansion programme by acquiring an additional 27,000 sq ft at the Hythe Marine Park, Southampton. The additional space will be used to create a state-of-the-art production facility for the new Oyster 495 yacht.

“With several Oyster 495s already sold, investment in this dedicated production facility fits seamlessly with our growth strategy,” says Oyster’s CEO Richard Hadida. “We have great plans for Hythe Marine Park, this location is already a centre of excellence for boat building, and it is the ideal location for our expansion of Oyster.”

Oyster Yachts is moving into the historic Grade II listed Continue reading “New production facility as Oyster Yachts makes a significant investment”

First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof

First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof
First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof

Oxfordshire-based company, HPi-CEproof has issued the Princess X95 with the first ever UKCA RCR certificate of conformity, following the new UK Recreational Craft Regulations which came into force on 1st January this year. HPi-CEproof is currently the only Approved Body empowered to issue ‘UKCA mark’ certificates, enabling compliance with the post-Brexit UK Recreational Craft Regulations.

Celebrating the significance of its appointment, HPi-CEproof auctioned the rights for a boatbuilder to be assessed for RCR certificate number one. Proceeds were split equally between the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) and British Divers Marine Life Rescue. No fees were charged for the assessment.

Continue reading “First ever UKCA RCR certificate issued by HPi-CEproof”

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