The U.S. Coast Guard has announced its intention to issue a set of interim rules on certain covered small passenger vessels, the first step to implementing the statutorily mandated requirement. The interim rule is in response to the fire and loss of life on the dive boat Conception off the coast of California on 2 September 2019.
This interim rule adds additional fire safety requirements for small passenger vessels, including fire detection and suppression systems, avenues of escape, egress drills, crew firefighting training, watchmen monitoring devices, and the handling of flammable items such as rechargeable batteries. Continue reading “USCG plans to issue interim rules to improve small passenger vessel safety post dive boat tragedy”
The UK government has confirmed that from 1 January 2022, recreational boat owners will not be required to pay a second amount of UK VAT if their vessels have been outside the UK for more than three years.
The UK’s 
Spirit Yachts, located in the UK, has launched its new Spirit 30, its most sustainable electric spirit yacht yet. This 9.15m fully electric yacht is the company’s first hull to have flax lay-up and bio-resin incorporated into its build. Responding to demand for a smaller Spirit design, the first Spirit 30 has now been handed over to its new owner in the UK. 
The 
The Boating Industry Association (