Are you getting the best use - and the most value - out of your boat? One very simple way to boost your activity – as well as your on-the-water boating confidence – is to get involved in the RYA’s Active Marina Programme.
If you own a yacht, RIB or motor cruiser and are a berth holder in one of the UK marinas that participate in RYA’s impressive programme, this is the ideal way to learn, socialise, get involved in cruising events and broaden your boating horizons.
“We now have 60 Active Marinas supporting their berth-holders in this way,” explains Guy Malpas, RYA Active Marina Programme Manager. “With the help of RYA Regional Development Teams they run events throughout the year that will increase competencies, boost confidence and build closer communities within the marina – so it’s about learning new skills, but also about having fun and getting out in your boat more often.”
He says activities range from training sessions for improving boat handling to clubbing together for a fun cruise. Other popular subjects are passage planning, safety refreshers, berthing and pilotage. “Often when a couple own a boat, one person might be a more confident boater than the other, so these workshops help the second person get up to speed and build their skills so that together they can go sailing or cruising more often.”
Learning from the experts
He adds that with small crews – just a couple on board – it’s essential to know the safety drills for man over board, and be able to look after and handle the boat well, so up-skilling and learning from others is invaluable.
Yacht Havens, Premier Marinas, MDL Marinas, Quay Marinas and Dean & Reddyhoff Marinas are all fully signed up ‘Active Marinas’ and benefit from a livelier community on their sites. Marinas, training centres and yacht clubs are happy to get involved because becoming an RYA Active Marina will help them attract new customers, and retain existing berth holders.
After all, having plenty going on shoreside and on the water is a great way to run a popular marina.
Find out more about the RYA Active Marina Programme here: www.rya.org.uk/go/activemarina
And you can discover what's on offer by watching this video:
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