NEWS

©Peters&May

Brexit: RGR grace period extension

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced a six-month extension to the 1-year grace period previously put in place by the government post Brexit for Returned Goods Relief, regardless of good’s exit date. This will benefit boat owners and the marine industry, as extending the grace period for RGR until 30 June 2022 for all goods will allow boat owners to return their boats to the UK without incurring additional VAT costs. The announcement follows representations and urges for a 3-year RGR transition period by the marine organisations, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and British Marine. Both of which pointed out that the 1-year period of grace effective from 1 January 2021 was not sufficient and helped HMRC officials understand the factors that affect the repatriation of vessels, including, global pandemic travel restrictions, the Schengen area immigration restrictions, insurance restrictions and the length of boating season. Welcoming the announcement, the RYA said that it will be continuing its dialogue with the HMRC, particularly in light of the recent new restrictions on leaving the UK.

Premier Marinas flare disposal days

The UK south coast marina chain, Premier Marinas, has announced that it will be hosting two ‘Flares Disposal Days’ this summer, allowing boaters to bring along out of date flares, have them checked and disposed of safely. The dates are Sunday 13th June at Chichester Marina and Saturday 26th June at Brighton Marina (in collaboration with Nicky’s Chandlery), both events are 10am-3pm. The first three flares will be free of charge for Premier berth holders and visitors will also be charged £2.00 per flare disposal.

If you any have news from your region, please email us at editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Spring Budget saves red diesel for GB not NI

In the Spring Budget, HM Treasury announced its decision to maintain recreational boaters’ entitlement to use red diesel in Great Britain beyond April 2022. However, Northern Ireland is to lose it by June. Last year, the government engaged in a red diesel consultation with a view of phasing out red diesel for white diesel from April 2022 for the leisure boat sector, but for it to remain available for fishing and farming. Various marine associations submitted their response and engaged in discussions with HMRC, saying that the simplest means of maintaining the supply for all recreational boaters on the coast and on inland waterways is the use of duty-paid red diesel. Among the many issues flagged was the cost of installing a second pump for white diesel in many harbours and ports. In the budget, the Government stated that it had evaluated the proposed regulations and would not be changing the treatment of private pleasure craft in Great Britain. This means boaters will continue to be able to use/access red diesel where it is available and pay their fuel supplier the difference between the red diesel rate and the white diesel rate on the proportion they intend to use for propulsion. For heating purposes, a vessel with a separate tank will still be able to use red diesel at the lower duty rate. The percentage relief scheme for heating use for a craft with one tank is to be announced by HMRC. Anticipating ‘another busy staycation summer’ in the UK, CEO of British Marine, Lesley Robinson, hailed the announcement as a “big success story for the leisure marine industry,….. giving the leisure marine sector the certainty needed at this unprecedented time.” In Northern Ireland however, recreational boaters will no longer be able to use red diesel for propulsion. This is to ensure the UK meets its international obligations under the Northern Ireland Protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement. It will also align with fuel used by leisure boats in the Republic of Ireland, which the government believes will make it simpler for private pleasure craft users to access the fuel they need if they cruise between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (and vice versa). The change to white diesel is expected to be in force by June of this year. For further information on the red diesel consultation and summary, please click here.

NEWS

Haines 36 NEW BOAT

The first Haines 36 Offshore has hit the water off the UK east coast and has been delivered to its new owner. The new 4-6-berth 36ft aft cockpit model by British boat builder, Haines Marine, is available with an optional mid cabin and in three different guises, an offshore category B cruiser, an electric version, and a single engine ‘Sedan’ version. The Sedan is priced from £250,200 and 36 Offshore from £299,700. A second Sedan version is due to be delivered to Thames dealer, Val Wyatt Marine this April (£288,624).

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NEWS

Layout change for Southampton Boat Show

The organisers of the Southampton International Boat Show have revealed a bold new layout ‘making the show bigger than ever before’. This will see the show spreading further northwards towards the city centre with, however, the loss of two of the usual outdoor exhibition areas. Following the Prime Minister’s recent roadmap announcement, British Marine, organisers of the Southampton International Boat Show, say that the show will return safely for its 52nd edition this September. The 10-day show is due to be held on the 10th-19th September and is set to have a new entrance and festival area outside Southampton’s Westquay shopping centre pictured. A new show area, described as a ‘Community Day and Festival Area’, will extend south past the old city walls and over into the main ‘centre piece’ Mayflower Park site with its purpose built marina, bypassing the previous entrance section north of West Quay Road and the previous Holiday Inn section. British Marine said ‘Once inside the show, visitors will be immersed in the world of boating and watersports through new zones that cater for specific interests to give a tailored show experience. The first zone will be for paddleboards, kite surfers, kayaks and windsurfers, accompanied by a stage, street food, music and a lively vibe to showcase the watersports lifestyle and simplicity of getting afloat. There will be a Dinghy Zone geared towards the interest of dinghy sailors and high-performance sailing. This will flow into a Classic Boat & Day Boat Zone aimed at celebrating the boats and craftsmanship that stands the test of time. Moving into Mayflower Park there will be hundreds of power and sail boats, equipment and services on show.’ Located usually in the previous shopping-orientated Holiday Inn section, Motorboat Owner and several clothing and marine-equipment-selling exhibitors will be moving, so regular visitors to the show will need to look out for updates and new stand numbers. Visit www.southamptonboatshow.com for information.

If you any have news from your region, please email us at editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Gillingham Marina for sale

Gillingham Marina on the River Medway is up for sale for an undisclosed sum. The 491-berth marina in north Kent is for sale through estate agent, Savills, and the site consists of two mooring basins, one being tidal and accessed by a lock and the other, a drying outer harbour. Amongst its facilities is a bar/restaurant, an outer refuelling pontoon and a chandlery. Also included in the sale is a waterfront leisure centre, which Savills suggest could be developed into a hotel or residential units. Savills also suggested that land reclamation could provide winter hardstanding and its basins could be developed for floating homes. Gillingham Marina was established in the 1970s by the Parham family, and has held The Yacht Harbour Association’s Five Gold Anchors award for 25 years.

©Savills

DIARY DATES South Coast Boat Show 7th-9th May British Motor Yacht Show 12th-20th June Green Tech Boat Show 19th-20th June Chichester Marina Boat Show 26th-27th June Thames Valley Boat Show 9th-11th July Southampton International Boat Show 10th-19th September

Boat show event updates

As a result of the Covid pandemic and to be in line with the UK Government’s fourstep roadmap out of lockdown, a couple of boat show events have been pushed back. The 3-day Thames Valley Boat Show, previously April, will now be held on 9th11th July. The British Motor Yacht Show has also been rescheduled to the 12th-20th June. Premier Marinas has also announced that its Chichester Marina Boat Show will return this summer, on 26th-27th June.

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NEWS

Ofcom changes

The way boaters comply with radio licences is changing. UK licence issuer, Ofcom has warned boaters of new terms and conditions in order to fall in line with internationally agreed levels in the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines for the protection of the general public from electromagnetic fields (EMF). Motorboat Owner’s Editor, Neale Byart has been deciphering the jargon and has put together an extended Q&A about the new regulations and what is required of boaters. See page 68

Boats.co.uk has been appointed by Marina Marbella UK as the east coast dealer for the US-built range of sportsboats and cruisers, Sea Ray. The family-owned business based on Wallasea Island in Essex already sells the Princess, Williams, Parker and Kawasaki brands, as well as used boats, and will now handle east coast sales on behalf of Marina Marbella UK, Sea Ray’s English distributor. “Sea Ray is a perfect, complementary match to our existing selection of new boats,” says Boats.co.uk Managing Director, James Barke, who added that the company has seen a massive uplift in boat sales, with staycations an obvious solution to travel restrictions. Sea Ray’s current range of boats is 19ft to 40ft and Boats.co.uk has its first stock boat available, a 2020 SunSport 230 cuddy for just under £85k.

Boats.co.uk Sea Ray dealership

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NEWS

Higher Ethanol content E10 grade petrol roll out

A new E10 grade biofuel is going to be introduced as standard at petrol forecourts this summer and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has said that it may not be compatible with some older boats. It is being introduced as part of a UK Government incentive to reduce CO2 emissions and help tackle climate change, the E10 petrol contains up to 10% renewable ethanol, which is added. The current standard of unleaded petrol contains up to 5% ethanol, known as E5. Although the Government has said that E10 petrol is compatible with 95% of petrol-powered road vehicles, it has also acknowledged that some older boats with petrol engines may not be compatible with the new fuel. The Government has advised that boat owners and operators should check their vessel’s manual or ask the manufacturer or dealer before filling up with E10. The RYA said “If your boat is not compatible with E10 fuel, then you should continue to use E5 ‘Super Petrol,’ which will remain available at many kerbside filling stations after E10 is introduced. Prolonged use of E10 petrol in a non-compatible engine is not recommended and may cause harm to the vessel. However, if your boat’s engine is compatible with E10 petrol, then there is no reason why you cannot mix the two grades of petrol when filling up. We are aware that many waterside outlets are unlikely to install a second petrol pump to accommodate the choice of using either E5 or E10. The industry is due to discuss the issue of accessibility at the end of March, at which time we hope to be able to share further guidance.” The change is expected to happen this summer, although an exact date has yet to be confirmed by the Department for Transport. Motorboat Owner will be looking into what happens next and what owners of older petrol boats might need to do in order to prepare for the change. The RYA stated that the change in fuel only applies to petrol engines and diesel fuel will not be affected.

If you any have news from your region, please email us at editorial@motorboatowner.co.uk

Thames water point changes

Boaters and hireboat companies on the nontidal River Thames are now being urged to equip their boats with hosepipes in order to top up with fresh water. There are various fresh water points at locks along the river and these are administered by the navigation authority, the Environment Agency. However, to avoid water wastage, stagnant water and avoid any possibilities of contamination, the agency will be removing hoses from these sites and ‘backflow prevention’ devices will be fitted to taps. Boaters will need a standard Hozelock connector and a hose to fill up. The agency has stipulated that the hose should not be the expandable type and warned that fill ups could now take longer. Boaters can find a list of locks facilities here.

Buckler’s Hard redevelopment on target for 50th anniversary

The £2m redevelopment of Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour will be completed in the year that marks the 50th anniversary of the Beaulieu River marina. Half a century since it was opened by Lord Montagu with round the world yachtsman Sir Chay Blyth CBE, BEM, the new-look marina contains 66 additional berths catering for boats up to 18 metres, which, according to the marina, have already been allocated to new customers. A celebration is being planned for Saturday 1st May to mark the milestone completion, with some of the original guests from the 1971 launch, and will go ahead virtually if guests are not able to meet in person. Regarded as the ‘jewel of the Solent at the gateway to the New Forest’, the reconfiguration and extension of the marina has taken place over two winter phases and was the result of demand for bigger berths. It now has more walkashore pontoons, improved facilities, including upgraded WiFi and shorepower connection, and a new dedicated visitor area.

NEWS

Broads boaters fined

Three boaters have been prosecuted for navigation offences on the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, and its navigation authority, the Broads Authority (BA), has used these to highlight the risks of failing to navigate with care and caution, and of breaking the speed limit. At the Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court in February, Mr Drew of ‘Disco Volante’ faced a £1000 fine plus charges for three counts of failing to navigate with care and caution, and of breaking the speed limit. Mr Colman owner of ‘Beaver Las Vegas’ and Mr Walker of ‘Yeah Buoy’ faced similar fines in February. The BA said “Piloting over the speed limit and dangerous boat handling causes distress to people enjoying the Broads. It is also a real danger to wildlife and has the potential to cause serious damage and injury.” The BA recently appointed Jon Hopes as Senior Ranger, working on Compliance and Safety, to process prosecutions and compliance with the Boat Safety Scheme. The BA said “His work will free up time currently spent by Rangers preparing case files for offences such as speeding and non-payment of tolls. Prosecution is always a last resort, used once all other conversations and avenues have failed. Jon’s role will allow Rangers to spend more time out on the Broads, helping new and experienced visitors”. Jon Hopes said,“Preparing a prosecution file for a hearing at criminal court is time consuming and takes Rangers away from their other duties. We want to raise awareness to river users of the importance of keeping to speed limits, and navigating with care and attention. These cases should be a deterrent to others. Maintaining the 126 miles of navigational waters is expensive, and all the money raised from our boat owners’ tolls is spent on maintenance, dredging and navigational improvements”. The authority added that it is ‘entirely dependent’ upon income from tolls to fund all maintenance, dredging and mooring improvements on the navigation, saying that it is the only major navigation authority in the UK that does not regularly receive central funding for this role, ‘where boat owners are genuinely struggling to pay their tolls, the authority will listen and work with them’. The BA urged Broads users who witness boats that are speeding or being driven carelessly to report them to Broads Control on 01603 756056 or by emailing Broads.Control@broads-authority.gov.uk, noting details such as the boat name or registration, taking photos or videos if they can.