CRUISING MATTERS

The latest news and views from the Cruising Association.

he CA as founded in speci cally to meet the needs of cruising sailors and provides services, information, help and advice to thousands of members orld ide For more information visit theca org uk

Catching up at Southampton Boat Sho

More than 800 visitors dropped in on the CA stand to discover what is new, demo the upgraded CAptain’s Mate app, receive advice on cruising abroad, tap into the latest marine discount partners, check in on Crewing Service opportunities, enjoy the CA’s drinks social, pick up the 2022 Cruising Almanac and generally catch up on all things cruising. The CA was thrilled to welcome 158 new members, spanning first-time boat owners to experienced cruisers.

The CA’s exclusive-to-members app, CAptain’s Mate, was the main star with demos showcasing the power and capacity of the upgraded app, which puts thousands of cruising reports at your fingertips, even if you have no internet connection or phone signal.

CAptain’s Mate is a unique platform, containing a variety of content by location - harbour, marina, anchorage or port. Content covers navigation approach to availability of key facilities, such as water and fuel, and, if available, supermarket, restaurant and other amenities and boat services, like crane and repair options.

The CAptain’s Mate is instinctive to use, with enhanced filters and search functions enabling users to drill straight down to specific information on more than 6,400 worldwide locations, from Greenland to the Galapagos. At its core are members’ valuable cruising reports, which provide that personal engagement, sharing expertise and tips on each location, illustrated with photos.

The upgraded CAptain’s Mate will be fully rolled out to members in December.

CAptain's Mate Testimonial CA member, David Brann, shares his feedback: “The all new CAptain’s Mate is much more than an evolution of the already invaluable aid to cruising. It gives essential, accurate and accessible information that will improve safety, comfort and enjoyment for all users. Very many thanks to everyone who has contributed to making this possible.”

All images: CA

CA Lectures Something for veryone

The CA lecture series runs across the autumn and winter months and is hosted by different Sections around the UK.

Providing something for everyone, whatever your interests and experience, the CA’s aim is for audiences to gain knowledge, discover new cruising grounds, share unique personal stories and learn from expert masterclasses.

The CA is running a hybrid programme, with lectures hosted by CA London available in person and live via Zoom, Suffolk Section and South-West Section in person only and the Kent Section is currently only via Zoom (other Sections to be confirmed).

Nearly all in-person lectures are open to non-members too, and there is plenty coming up during November so take a look, book your tickets and save the date: www.theca.org.uk/events/all. ■ 3 Nov - Samuel Pepys and the Navy of Charles II by David Davies / London Section ■ 4 Nov - HM Coastguard: Jon Kendray - Snr. Coastguard

Officer / South West Section ■ 11 Nov - ORCA, Looking out for Whales and Dolphins, by Anna Bunney / Suffolk Section ■ 11 Nov - Winter Warmer Talk - Managing Navigational

Safety on the tidal Thames by David Allsop, Deputy

Harbour Master, Port of London Authority / Kent Section ■ 17 Nov - Round Britain by Timothy Long / London Section ■ 18 Nov - A Slightly Eccentric Way to go Cruising by Tony Montgomery-Smith / Mediterranean Section ■ 20 Nov - Norway Information Session by James Yarrow and Vicky Platt / London Section ■ 24 Nov - The Future is Electric by Jimmy Cornell / London Section ■ 27 Nov - The History of Small Arms at Sea by Robert Tilney / Suffolk Section

One of this month’s lectures covers Norway

he latest from RA S

The Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS) is the CA’s expert volunteer committee, representing the interests of yacht and motor cruisers and addressing issues of concern or interest on regulatory and technical aspects of cruising.

A key service provided to CA members is answering complex questions on cruising, particularly where this relates to regulations and officialdom, and most recently linked to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and the Covid-19 pandemic. This service - by members for members - saw an escalation in enquiries this year, with experts responding to 183 questions between 1 January - 31 July 2021, compared to 176 in the whole of 2020.

CA members have access to a vast online resource (available via a member login) of RATS knowledge, Q&As, guidance on regulatory and technical issues, as well as country specific information. www.theca.org.uk/public/rats

Recent RA S matters focus on

Marine Diesel - With effect from 1 October 2021, in order to meet the UK’s obligations under the UK-EU withdrawal agreement, the UK Government mandated that it is illegal in Northern Ireland to refuel private pleasure craft with marine (red) diesel in any tank used for engine propulsion. RATS has reviewed the UK Government document ‘Fuel Duty changes for private pleasure craft in Northern Ireland that use diesel’ and has prepared a detailed CA Guidance Document at: www.theca.org.uk/news/rats/ marine-diesel-northern-ireland. Ofcom Licence Changes - RATS has been working on guidance to help CA members assess on board radio equipment to ensure conformance to Ofcom’s policy for limiting exposure of the public to electro-magnetic emissions. This policy comes into effect on 18 November 2021 (except for HF/ SSB transmitters for which the effective date is 22 May 2022). Watch this space, as the CA plans to publish information on its public website, which you can find at: www.theca.org.uk.

Turn to page 13 to win! 2 22 CA Cruising Almanac

Respected as the go-to on board guide for cruising yacht and motor boats, the CA Cruising Almanac spans the Shetlands in the north, around the coasts and islands of Great Britain and Ireland and from Bergen into the approaches to the Baltic and down to Gibraltar.

Published by Imray in a handy A4 format, with passage notes, general information, tidal information, detailed chartlets and more, the Almanac is the perfect companion to ensure enjoyable and safe passages in and out of harbours, rivers and anchorages. The removable tide table booklet contains data for 47 standard ports, whilst the main Almanac contains tidal stream diagrams and full tidal details for secondary ports.

Celebrating a 20 year partnership with Imray in 2022, this anniversary edition has a special foreword from CA Patron Robin Knox-Johnston.

An ideal Christmas present, you can purchase the Almanac from the online CA shop at £25 for members / £35 for non-members plus postage. www.theca.org.uk/catalog

Almanac updates are published monthly, taking into account Notices to Mariners, changes to buoyage and lights and other new developments. Sign-up to receive free updates direct to your inbox or download from: www.theca.org.uk/almanac/corrections.

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