RYA South - RYA (and others) Weekly Information Update - 23 May 2025

 

Marine Industry News - Growth of marine protected areas (MPAs) means boaters must think ahead, says Wave International. https://marineindustrynews.co.uk/growth-of-marine-protected-areas-mpas-means-boaters-must-think-ahead-says-wave-international/

RYA FB - Love dinghy sailing? Help protect your sailing and the waters you enjoy. Always remember to #CheckCleanDry your boat, equipment and clothing to help stop the spread of harmful invasive species! Find out more - https://thegreenblue.org.uk/.../invasive-species-prevention/

RYA Members Weekly News - Top up your knowledge and gain the confidence to do more afloat with the RYA's navigation and seamanship theory courses. https://www.rya.org.uk/blog/get-trained-do-more

RYA Members Weekly News - Sailing out of the darkness. How sailing helped one woman’s recovery from depression. https://www.rya.org.uk/news/sailing-out-of-the-darkness

New Members Weekly News - It’s Invasive Species Week. Take these simple steps to protect your local stretch of water and beyond. https://fb.watch/zEvby-BPjB/ https://thegreenblue.org.uk/you-and-your-boat/info-and-advice/wildlife-habitat-protection/invasive-species-prevention/

New Members Weekly News - Member benefits - the Sebago Portland boat shoe. Constructed to be the perfect nautical footwear, these long-lasting boat shoes are made of a unique piece of unlined full-grain leather and hand-sewn with the finest craftsmanship. RYA Members save 20% across Sebago's whole range.* https://www.rya.org.uk/membership/membership-benefits/sebago

RYA FB - Support access to boating for all! The RYA Foundation are looking for a new volunteer fundraising trustee. The foundation is a grant-giving charity dedicated to breaking down barriers and enabling access to boating opportunities for disadvantaged and disabled people, young people, and individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds. Think this strategic, advisory role could be for you? Find out more about the role and apply - http://rya.org/OUc450VTZlp

RYA Race Officials - New Role (RMEV) - The Race Management Event Volunteer qualification is designed to recognize the enormous skill and contribution made to race management by volunteers who are not directly in the Race Officer or Deputy/Assistant Race Officer roles. There is currently no mechanism to recognize these volunteers within the general qualification structure. For more details of this pilot for a new qualification: https://tinyurl.com/34d7pp3v

RYA FB - Want to experience the thrill of sailing or windsurfing this summer? Clubs and centres across the country are offering 'have a go' taster sessions for little or no cost! No experience? No problem! Find out how you and your family can get out and enjoy time together on the water at an event near you: http://rya.org/tUv450VUPpG

British Marine FB - Cat Dixon appointed CEO of UKSA - UK Sailing Academy (UKSA) has welcomed Catherine (Cat) Dixon as its new CEO. With a strong track record across education, legal, and social justice sectors, Cat brings vast leadership experience and a passion for empowering young people. A qualified solicitor and record-breaking endurance cyclist, Cat’s commitment to diversity and outdoor education aligns closely with UKSA’s mission to transform lives through maritime training and adventure. Based in Cowes, UKSA supports thousands of young people each year into careers at sea. Read more: https://ow.ly/ozKc50VT3L6

RYA FB - The year was 1904 when the Yacht Racing Association saw its first substantial change of the new century when it took the significant step of allowing women to join. Its first female member was Mrs H.G. Allan, a well-known and accomplished Solent sailor who owned two yachts. Although she was the trail blazer for the ladies, it would take another eight years before, in 1912, the YRA took the more enlightened view that ladies weren’t just for decoration or weight. The era closed with another major first, when the Royal Victoria Yacht Club on the Isle of Wight ran its first Ocean race. The YRA now had everything from dinghies to a signature offshore race hosted in the UK and, in a time of increasing change, more developments would soon take place. Read more on the RYA's second era: http://rya.org/8G8H50VVs41

RYA South FB - Sailing genius alert! Spotted at Tudor Sailing Club... One sailor, one mobility scooter… and one perfectly towed dinghy up the slipway. Absolute legend. We are is constantly blown away by the creative solutions out there in our region's sailing community, and the incredible determination of our clubs and centres to support every sailor’s access to the sport we love! Got a clever sailing hack at your club or centre? Share it in the comments or tag us - we want to see your “why didn’t we think of that?!” moments that are breaking down barriers and making it work. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1331078144659970

ABP Ports - ABP have issued General Directions relating to the Port of Southampton Statutory Harbour Authority Area. These General Directions come into force from midday 21 May 2025, they are therefore now live and enforceable. The General Directions can be viewed at the following link. Note in particular General Direction 08 - Notice of Recreational Event.

RYA FB - Playing Fair - When we think about what makes a great sailor, it’s not just technical skill or time on the water - it’s also the choices made off the water. This Clean Sport Week, we caught up with Ian White, Physiologist for the British Sailing Team, to explore why playing fair starts with the basics, and why it’s something every racer - from grassroots to elite - needs to understand. Find out more: http://rya.org/XbFU50VWvQx

Marine Industry News - ‘Bayesian is being raised in the name of evidence, not salvage’ https://marineindustrynews.co.uk/bayesian-superyacht-salvage-legal-and-environmental-implications/

RYA FB - Swim Safe: Saving lives and breaking barriers. Since 2013, SwimSafe has empowered over 175,000 kids, aged 7-14, with crucial lifesaving skills in and around open water. Starting with 15 RYA recognised training centres, we have joined forces with the RNLI and Swim England to add thousands of extra spaces onto programme. The sessions aim to increase awareness of water safety and boost confidence around open water. RYA Instructors will guide young people through the Water Safety Code and then allow them to practise key sea survival techniques in the water - all whilst wearing a buoyancy aid. Find out more - http://rya.org/3CP450VX4eU

YachtsandYachting - X 195 'Turtle' Launch - the first new X One Design in 18 years! [Photo (c) Mark Jardine] https://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/286032/…

Scuttlebutt Sailing - US Coastguard - The US Coast Guard is one of the six armed forces of the United States, providing maritime security, law enforcement, and search and rescue services. It is the largest coast guard in the world, rivaling the capabilities and size of most navies, and is available to keep boating safe. https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2025/05/21/fundamental-change-for-coast-guard/