“The patient is being left to die.” Those were the stark words used by Paul Rodgers to describe how grave he sees the situation that UK waterways holiday hire companies, boatyards, boatbuilders, training operations, marinas, boat clubs and other waterways businesses find themselves in thanks to the collapse in business following the COVID-19 related shutdown.
There are now fears among UK waterways bodies of the demise of much of the sector as a result of the loss of this summer’s business – unless an immediate rescue package is put together.
The MAIB has published its Annual Report for last year with details about its activities and safety investigation work undertaken. In an extract from his Foreword, Capt Andrew Moll, Chief Inspector of Accidents at MAIB, said, “I am pleased to introduce MAIB’s annual report 2019. It was a busy and successful year for the Branch improving safety at sea by our sustained output of safety investigation reports, safety digests, safety bulletins, and wider industry engagement. The Branch raised 1222 reports of marine accidents and incidents and commenced 22 investigations in 2019, compared with 1227 reports and 23 investigations started in 2018. Tragically, 13 investigations involved loss of life.
At the Annual General Meeting of the International Institute of Marine Surveying held at Murrills House, Portchester on 16th June 2020, Geoff Waddington took up the position of IIMS President., a position he will hold for the next two years. Geoff replaces Dubai based Capt Zarir Irani who has held the position since 2018.
With the current COVID-19 pandemic forcing the country into lockdown, the Royal Yachting Aassociation has received a considerable number of enquiries from concerned members who are not able to gain access to their boats now that most marinas have controlled access.
