The RYA has made it clear to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that the proposals set out in its consultation documents published yesterday present a real problem for recreational boaters. There is no legal prohibition on the use of red diesel for propelling private pleasure craft in international waters but the proposed amendment to the declaration to be made when buying fuel gives the impression that there is.

Gus Lewis Head of Government Affairs has been working with HMRC to ensure that boaters’ interests are protected in the Government’s negotiations with the European Commission (EC) over the use of duty-paid marked diesel. The RYA has made it clear that restricting the use of marked ‘red’ diesel to UK waters would not be acceptable and indeed made this point again only yesterday afternoon to HMRC.

Gus Lewis “There is nothing in the Government’s proposals that would actually make the use of marked ‘red’ diesel for propelling a private pleasure craft outside UK waters unlawful. However, what it is attempting to do is to make recreational boaters sign a declaration acknowledging a legal situation that doesn’t exist under UK law.

Brixham HarbourThis week, Jerry leaves Brixham harbour with a full crew, and heads for northern Spain.... 

Our stopover in Brixham was planned for two reasons; firstly I didn't want to over-do the initiation to offshore sailing for the novice crew and secondly, I needed to pick up my 'spare' Watch Leader Bob. However, Bob had had his own 11th hour disaster as he was struck down with Gout the previous week and had still been in hospital a few days earlier! It was going to be very much a case of lets 'suck it and see' to determine if he was going to be fit enough to make the trip.

I was keen for my old friend to join us and Bob was determined that if it could be done he would give it a go. However, when an 'older, well rounded chap' (we hadn't seen each other for over 15 years) turned up with the help of two crutches my heart sank and for a moment I thought about how ridiculous the concept would be for both of us! My gut reaction was that Bob would not be fit enough to undertake such an arduous sail and this wasn't helped as he struggled to climb aboard!

All the same, Bob gingerly dragged himself into the boat, took a look around and then declared himself fit, providing I was happy of course. It was a tough decision and had Cushla been a monohull I think we would both have agreed that it would be a non-starter. But with the prognosis that Bob's leg could only get better with the drugs he was taking I decided that we could cope. Anyhow, he was only going as far as Gibraltar; a mere 1000nm, where we had a date with the 'Rock' for a few reminiscent beers - what could possibly go wrong?