yachts

EU takes legal action over yacht tax avoidance

The European Commission stepped up its agenda to tackle tax avoidance in the yacht sector and decided to send letters of formal notice to Italy and to the UK concerning the Isle of Man, as tax breaks being applied in the pleasure craft of those regions were highlighted by last year’s ‘Paradise Papers’ leaks.

On the same wavelength of the decision to send letters of formal notice to Cyprus, Greece and Malta for not levying the correct amount of Value-Added Tax (VAT) on the provision of yachts,...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-takes-legal-action-over-yacht-tax-avoidance/

17 rescued after yacht collides with sportfisher off Imperial Beach

The US Coast Guard medevaced an injured person through a helicopter and rescued 17 passengers, after a 332-foot yacht collided with a 65-foot sportfisher near the maritime boundary line.

The crew of the 332-foot yacht, Attessa IV collided with the 65-foot sportfisher, Prowler, about nine miles offshore of Imperial Beach, causing extensive damage to the starboard quarter of the sportfisher and multiple injuries.

A US Coast Guard helicopter crew and a US Coast Guard Station San Diego 45-foot...

https://safety4sea.com/17-rescued-after-yacht-collides-with-sportfisher-off-imperial-beach/

Five simple tips for boating safety

On the occasion of the conclusion of New Zealand’s national Safer Boating Week on 19 October, Maritime NZ reiterated to skippers the importance of always wearing a lifejacket and always ensuring that there is the right size of lifejackets for everyone onboard. Last year, 19 people died in recreational boating accidents on New Zealand waters.

As such, Maritime NZ summarized five simple things to help keep safer in boats:

  • Wear your lifejacket – this is the single most important thing to do to help...

https://safety4sea.com/five-simple-tips-for-boating-safety/

Solo yachtsman rescued in the Indian Ocean

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) coordinated the search and rescue operation for a French yachtsman in the Indian Ocean, approximately 1300 kilometres south west of Perth, Western Australia.

On 21 October, around 12.45am, AMSA was notified of a dismasted yacht taking on water. The French yacht ‘Laaland’ was participating in the Golden Globe race. The yacht subsequently activated a distress beacon around 5.30am.

AMSA tasked the ‘Challenger’ jet to locate the vessel and report back...

https://safety4sea.com/solo-yachtsman-rescued-in-the-indian-ocean/

Maritime NZ extends ‘No Excuses’ safety campaign for boaties

Maritime NZ, New Zealand’s marine safety regulatory agency, 13 councils and the Lake Taupo Harbourmaster announced beginning of an extended ‘No Excuses’ campaign for recreational boaties not carrying or wearing lifejackets and those who speed on the water.

Maritime NZ Deputy Director, Sharyn Forsyth, said the campaign is starting in Southland this year, with Environment Southland Harbourmaster’s staff and Maritime NZ Maritime Officers on the water together during the Te Anau Fishing Contest....

https://safety4sea.com/maritime-nz-extends-no-excuses-safety-campaign-for-boaties/

Sailing yacht experiences catastrophic rigging failure

According to UK MAIB, during a training passage on the south coast of England a commercially operated sailing yacht experienced a catastrophic rigging failure that led to it being dismasted. There were no injuries and the mast was cut free and released overboard.

The incident

The yacht was on passage with a skipper/ instructor and six students on board conducting RYA competent crew training. The vessel was sailing on a port tack with the main and headsail up, when a loud bang was heard, and the...

https://safety4sea.com/sailing-yacht-experiences-catastrophic-rigging-failure/

Two crew injured due to winch malfunction

In UK MAIB’s latest Safety Digest, two crewmen broke their wrists during a sail training. Namely, the two men were turning the starboard coffeegrinder to heave in the headsail when there was a sudden change of the handles’ direction.

The incident

A maxi-yacht was at sea and the crew was training for a race. On its coach-roof, the yacht was fitted with two pedestal-style winches, known as coffee-grinders.

The winches were operated by two crewmen who were working together to turn the pedestal...

https://safety4sea.com/two-crew-injured-due-to-winch-malfunction/

Maritime NZ: Checking weather forecast can save your life

Maritime NZ is reminding boaties heading out on the water this Labour Weekend that checking the marine weather forecast could save their lives. A 58% percent of Kiwi boaties said they check the marine forecast ‘every time’ prior to heading out (up from 52% in 2017), according to the latest Ipsos research released earlier this week.

We want the other 42% of boaties to check the weather every time they hit the water too. Fire up your phone, computer or VHF radio, check the forecast, come back...

https://safety4sea.com/maritime-nz-checking-weather-forecast-can-save-your-life/

Maritime NZ: Boating safety in numbers

Maritime New Zealand issued its Ipsos 2018 Recreational Boating Survey, revealing that recreational boaties seem to behaving more safely, with a steady lifejacket wearing behaviour, more weather checking, taking two ways to call for help, and avoiding alcohol when going out on the water.

Boating by the numbers 2018

  • 1.5 million adults (42% of New Zealanders) were involved in recreational boating last year.
  • Kayaks remain the most popular craft used by boaties (33%), followed by power boats under...

https://safety4sea.com/maritime-nz-boating-safety-in-numbers/

Red Ensign Group Technical Forum explores regulatory challenges

The Red Ensign Group Technical Forum, being held on 9-10 October in Southampton, UK, and including delegates from the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey and the UK, is discussing the mechanics of sharing surveyor resources and exploring challenges of regulation.

The Forum is expected to work on updates on the Electronic Oil Record Book trial, a review of enhanced authorisation, technical interpretations and electronic certificates. The new Red Ensign Yacht Code which comes...

https://safety4sea.com/red-ensign-group-technical-forum-explores-regulatory-challenges/

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