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Royal Yachting Association

National Authority

Hamble, Hampshire, England

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RYA and BMF meet with DfT over proposed alcohol regulations

RYA @ Mon Dec 01 15:05:00 +0000 2008

Blood-alcohol limits for non-professional (recreational) boaters were introduced by Section 80 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, although at present this Section is not in force. The DfT has confirmed that it now wishes to bring Section 80 in to force, subject to certain exemptions, and is in the process of producing draft Regulations to effect this.

The RYA and BMF understand that the DfT intends to exempt from the application of blood-alcohol limits those boaters navigating small, slow craft but the RYA and BMF continue to be concerned as to how this exemption will be applied in practice and whether it will be workable.

“We have unresolved concerns regarding which craft will be exempt, which individuals on board would be subject to the blood-alcohol limited and how the rules would be enforced (and by whom), which we do not believe have been addressed properly,” commented Gus.

“Once the draft Regulations are published for consultation then we will have a clearer idea as to what precisely is being proposed and if necessary, we will once again raise with the Department our concerns over issues of application and enforcement,” concluded Howard.

The RYA and BMF have been advised that the draft regulations will be available for public consultation via the DfT website in the next couple of weeks and that the consultation will be open for a period of 12 weeks. The regulations will also be posted on both the RYA and BMF websites: www.rya.org.uk orwww.britishmarine.co.uk.

Response by the RYA and BMF to the draft regulations will be available to view on both websites when issued.

To update yourself on this issue go to www.rya.org.uk/alcohollimits or the Government Relations service page on www.britishmarine.co.uk.

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HRH RECOGNISES VOLUNTEERS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AT RYA AGM

RYA @ Thu Nov 27 11:54:00 +0000 2008

HRH the Princess Royal commented; “It is really important to make volunteers feel valued for what they do. Often they just get up and get on with things and these awards are just one way to recognise the work these people do.”

A total of 57 awards were presented to winners from across the UK ranging from as far afield as the Isle of Man to Plymouth. 50 of the awards were presented for community voluntary work, Community Awards, and the remaining seven, RYA Awards, were made to recipients who have made a specific contribution to the RYA both regionally and nationally.

RYA Award winners were, Paul King, Rod Little, Eddie Ramsden, Paul Rayner, Michael Roberts, Chris Simon.

This year’s Francis Elkin award, which recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution, in time, effort and personal endeavour in enabling people with disabilities to become involved in sailing, was awarded to Rutland Sailability’s John Morley.

Jackie Bennetts, Volunteer Development Officer, RYA said: “This years’ Awards have attracted a very high calibre of nominees with award winners putting in an average of 35 years service as volunteers for their clubs.”

“Occasions like this allow us to fully recognise and celebrate the continuous hard work these people put in to our sport, many of which often go unnoticed – they really are the unsung heroes.”

All the winners enjoyed a celebratory lunch in the presence of HRH the Princess Royal, and were presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.

Rod Carr Chief Executive of the RYA said: “This annual awards ceremony is one of the most enjoyable events of the year for me. The work and voluntary time that RYA Community Award and RYA Award winners put into our sport is simply astounding. Every one of the 57 award winners has exceeded the reasonable expectations of their fellow volunteers, club members and the boating community in general. Without their sheer hard work, commitment, and expertise our sport would be immeasurably poorer.
These people are an inspiration to us all and it is my pleasure to recognise and celebrate their work through these awards.”

The RYA Awards and Community Awards acknowledge the importance of volunteers within the sailing and boating communities. They recognise the outstanding contributions, time, effort and experience individuals have made to making it possible for others to enjoy boating and sailing, from establishing clubs, committee participation, to boat maintenance and training.

The Community Awards are broken down into three categories recognising; Lifetime Commitment, Outstanding Contribution and Youth.

Since its conception three years ago, the youth category, which recognises voluntary work carried out by young people specifically, has seen considerable growth, with four youth awards being given this year. These recognised the exceptional commitment of young people, despite the pressures of school, college and university life.

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RYA Award winners left to right: Rod Little, Chris Simon, John Morley, Eddie Ramsden MBE, Michael Roberts, Paul King

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RYA 2008 Regional Young Sailor of the Year Award Winners Announced

RYA @ Fri Nov 21 11:35:00 +0000 2008

The 15 young sailors from each of the RYA regions were nominated by RYA sailing clubs, and then selected as winners by the regions’ committees. Ranging from gold medal wins to overcoming adversity, all of the winners have made a large impact on youth sailing this year be it at their club or on the racing circuit.

In January the youngsters will be treated to a VIP day at the London Boat Show followed by the National Raymarine YJA Young Sailor of the Year Award ceremony at which they will receive their regional award trophies.

Simon Wergan, RYA Youth Racing Manager comments: “Winning an RYA Regional YSOTY Award is a fantastic achievement. Whether your achievements are at club level, within the sailing community or out on the race course, the awards give youngsters a real boost and inspire other young people to get involved in the sport.”


RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year Award Winners

Region Name of winner

South Frances and James Peters
South West Will Pepworth
Wales Bleddyn Mon and Tom Humphreys
South East Jack Daly
East Charlotte Sissions
East Midlands Matthew Brown
Thames Valley Alex Hovden
West Midlands Adam Parry
Yorkshire and Humberside Dean Crangle
North West Elliot Hanson
North East Luck McGill
Scotland Lorenzo Chiavarini
Northern Ireland Oliver Loughead


South

Frances and James Peters (17,16) sail separate 29ers in the men’s and women’s classes with their crews Claire Lasko and Ed Fitzgerald and both achieved gold medals at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF Worlds Championship in Denmark. They were also both instrumental in helping Britain win the Volvo Trophy for best nation with a medal haul of two gold’s and one bronze at the event.


Scotland

Lorenzo Chiavarini (14) is an excellent role model who is always keen to help others on and off the water. Having attained a 5th at the Topper World Championships and a 3rd at the UK Topper Nationals this year, Lorenzo rounded up his year by qualifying for the RYA GBR Laser 4.7 Squad.


Thames Valley

Alex Hovden (16) suffers from severe Cerebral Palsy. After finishing 5th in this year’s Sailability Multiclass Championship and 18th at the 2008 World Challenger Championship, at the end of this season Alex was signed up as a full member of the Challenger Transition Squad, which feeds into the Paralympic squad.


North East

Luke McGill (14) is a good young sailor and power boater who puts a lot of effort back into his club. Winning the 2008 RYA North East Youth Travellers Series in his Laser and finishing second in the Honda RYA Youth RIB Championship this year, Luke has had a great year.


South East

Jack Daly (17) bought a Corribee Yacht in 2007 and repaired, equipped and adapted it then sailed it round Britain between July and September 2008. During his trip he sailed 1605 miles, visited 42 ports and so far he has raised over £5,000 for RYA Sailability.


North West

Elliot Hanson (14) has had an outstanding season this year in Toppers, becoming the World Champion, National Champion, Inland Champion and Winner of the Nationwide Travellers series. He also spends time helping inspire young sailors at his club.


Yorkshire and Humberside

Dean Crangle (16) has achieved his Dinghy Sailing Level 2, Powerboat Level 2, Safety Boat and Cruising Competent Crew RYA qualifications all in the last two years. He was appointed Assistant Dinghy Sailing Instructor at his club rounding up a very successful year.


Northern Ireland

Oliver has proved himself as an extremely competent and talented young sailor this year sailing for Northern Ireland. Juggling sailing with rugby, he came 1st at the Irish Sailing Association Youth Nationals 2008 and attained 3rd place overall at the UK Laser Radial Nationals 2008 (1st Youth).


East

Charlotte Sissions (15) is a determined young lady who windsurfs in the RYA East Zone squad. In August this year she sadly lost her sight but despite this she took part in the final of the Team15 Windsurfing Championship coming fourth in her class using a radio link with a friend to guide her round the course.


Wales

Bleddyn Mon (17) and Tom Humphreys (17) have had an excellent second season in the 29er class, retaining their British National Championship title as well as finishing on the podium in all other major regattas.


East Midlands

Matthew Brown (15) has been a key player in the establishment of Team15 windsurfing at his club this year. As a member of the National Windsurfing Squad he came 15th at the Bic Techno Worlds in Poland, and achieved 2nd place at the RYA/UKWA Youth and Masters Regatta earlier this year.


West Midlands

Adam Parry (18) has achieved some good results winning the GP14 and Lark Youth Championships previously. He has dedicated his time to passing on this experience in his newly attained role as an RYA Coach both at his club and the Topper and Optimist regional RYA Zone squads.


South West

Will Pepworth (17) has unwaveringly supported his Team15 windsurfing club this past year working hard to achieve his aim of becoming a sailing and windsurfing instructor. He has done this despite overcoming considerable adversity in his personal life.

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