Is it a case of closing the stable door when the horse has bolted.....I refer to the issue of yachts qualifications.
This is part of the statement we received from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) yesterday: Since 1 January 2021, the UK is a third country and will be treated as such by EU Member States.
As a result RYA certificates are no longer accepted for operating a Spanish flagged boat (including bareboat charter) on the basis of the UK being an EU / EEA Member State.
In addition, RYA certificates are no longer listed in Annex IX of Spanish Royal Decree 875/2014. This lists foreign flag state certificates which Spain recognises for the operation of Spanish flagged vessels.”
This state of affairs is obviously going to cause problems in the Balearics with local waters being a popular charter destination for British yachtspeople.
But going back to my opening statement in this article, didn’t anyone think of this before?
The Brexit referendum was in 2016 and in 2021 we are now facing the problems.. We are reliably informed that the whole issue may be resolved by this summer, (some have said that the Spanish government have already made a decision and British qualifications will be valid).
But at this moment in time British yachts people can’t operate Spanish flagged yachts because of Brexit. I am told that it could have serious consequences for the local yachting industry if the issue is not resolved.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing but surely we should have started work on this issue sooner rather than later. We knew that the UK would have “third country” status when it left the EU and we knew this back in 2016.
I don't really understand what is going on here. The EU have nothing to do with the issue of nautical qualifications.
I know. I have been a Master Mariner, Unrestricted service for 35 years continuous validity.
The internationally accepted standard was adopted by all nations who signed up to STCW.
Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping.
These standards were specified by the International Marine Organisation.
UK and Spain are both signatories.
I don't really understand how this has anything at all to do with the EU.
STP etc have become a rule unto themselves asking firms and individuals to take course that are not needed anywhere else in mallorca. Don't worry, lots of boats won't be coming to mallorca for refits etc. They will head to France and Italy. STP etc dont have the 'pulled they think they do.
It should be noted that this problem does not concern the Merchant Marine as merchant vessels are covered by international conventions, SOLAS, STCW and MARPOL to name a few of more well known ones, to which Spain is a party.
It stretching reality to expect anyone at the head of the RYA to lobby for UK qualifications to be recognised in EU states. I mean, it’s not as if they had five years notice or that we actually pay for these qualifications and ongoing membership........ WAIDAMINNIT!!!!!
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I don't really understand what is going on here. The EU have nothing to do with the issue of nautical qualifications. I know. I have been a Master Mariner, Unrestricted service for 35 years continuous validity. The internationally accepted standard was adopted by all nations who signed up to STCW. Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. These standards were specified by the International Marine Organisation. UK and Spain are both signatories. I don't really understand how this has anything at all to do with the EU.
STP etc have become a rule unto themselves asking firms and individuals to take course that are not needed anywhere else in mallorca. Don't worry, lots of boats won't be coming to mallorca for refits etc. They will head to France and Italy. STP etc dont have the 'pulled they think they do.
It should be noted that this problem does not concern the Merchant Marine as merchant vessels are covered by international conventions, SOLAS, STCW and MARPOL to name a few of more well known ones, to which Spain is a party.
It stretching reality to expect anyone at the head of the RYA to lobby for UK qualifications to be recognised in EU states. I mean, it’s not as if they had five years notice or that we actually pay for these qualifications and ongoing membership........ WAIDAMINNIT!!!!!