Page 52 - Yachter Spring/Summer 2020

52 RYA
WHAT HAS THE RYA EVER DONE FOR US?
As the national governing body for boating in the UK, the RYA seeks to promote and protect safe, successful and rewarding boating. To this end, the RYA represents its 112,000 members’ interests and ensures that national and international legislators, regulators and other authorities understand and take account of recreational boating activity.
Recreational boating in the UK has a long- established tradition of self-reliance and individual responsibility. Consequently, we continue to enjoy relative freedom to pursue our boating activities, but this freedom cannot be taken for granted.
Over the years, the RYA has successfully
defended our right to go to sea without unnecessary red tape, arguing that knowledge, skills and experience rather than regulation are the foundations upon which personal safety and responsibility are built.
At any one time, it manages a wide range of issues on our behalf – including the impact on recreational boating of Marine Conservation Zones development, Marine Maritime Organisation licensing, restrictions on the use of red diesel and countless other potential restrictions on our freedom to go