For our Cruising members, you may wish to see this information on the Cruising Association’s website page Save the Date – An Evening with RATS | CA (theca.org.uk)
They propose that you save the date for an evening with the CA’s Regulatory & Technical Services group (RATS) at 1900 GMT hours on Thursday 21 March 2024.
RATS will delve into the current hot topics that may impact your upcoming cruising and share practical advice. Members and non-members are invited to attend, either in-person at CA House, London or virtually via Zoom.
This fourth annual RATS seminar will feature concise 5–15 minute presentations on current topics crucial to cruising sailors:
- Orca: the continuing interaction with orca off the coasts of Portugal and Spain and current thinking on avoidance tactics.
- HVO and Sustainability: hydrotreated Vegetable Oil could offer a simple, drop-in replacement for fossil fuel derived diesel to reduce cruising sailors’ environmental footprint. What are the arguments for and against this approach and what are the current regulatory and fiscal impediments?
- EU Visas and Permits: the 90 in 180-day rule that now applies to UK citizens visiting Schengen countries has curtailed cruising plans with some cruisers contemplating giving up sailing altogether. There have been some positive developments in Sweden and France with permits and visas being available under certain circumstances. There are also political rumblings in France, Spain and Italy that may improve the situation.
- CE/UKCA and RCD: what is the latest position on conformity marking of vessels being brought into service from outside the UK and outside the EU? Has the problem gone away with the recent decision by the UK Government to accept CE marking?
- RATS Technical Projects: an overview of the types of issues we are investigating in some depth e.g. battery technology, sustainable end-of-life boat scrapping, diesel emissions, electrical Systems, remote monitoring of boats’ systems, alternative propulsion, connecting to shore power, UV degradation of safety lines/equipment, transmission of emergency information, diving from your boat.
Tickets: In-person at CA House, London or via Zoom Webinar – free for CA members / £7 for non-members.