The Chancellor has announced a UK-wide scheme giving direct cash grants to self-employed individuals. If you are eligible the Government will contact you and ask you to apply online.

Rishi Sunak has set out plans that will see the self-employed receive up to £2,500 per month in grants for at least 3 months.

Those eligible could receive a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.

This brings parity with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, announced by the Chancellor last week, where the Government committed to pay up to £2,500 each month in wages of employed workers who are furloughed during the outbreak.

Self-employed marine industry workers who are eligible for the new scheme will be invited to apply directly to HMRC for the taxable grant, using an online form.

The scheme will be open to those with a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018-19 or an average trading profit of less than £50,000 from 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. More details are on Gov.uk.

To qualify, more than half of a worker’s income in these periods must come from self-employment.

To minimise fraud, only those who are already in self-employment and meet the above conditions will be eligible to apply. HMRC will identify eligible taxpayers and contact them directly with guidance on how to apply.

Acknowledgement to Marine Industry News

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd. Marine Surveyors & Consultants
EMS also undertake Boat Safety Inspections & Engine Inspections
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: 01603 327 123

We’ll be updating this page on a regular basis as we receive notifications of what is, and what isn’t, happening.

Please be aware that it’s in alphabetical – not date – order.

ACWS Portsmouth – cancelled

ACWS Sardegna – Cagliari – cancelled

Anglo Welsh Open Days – postponed (new dates TBC) Events postponed include: Tardebigge on the Worcestershire & Birmingham Canal, Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal, Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal, Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal

British Motor Yacht Show – rescheduled to 11/14 June 2020

Cannes Yachting Festival – currently no change – 8/13 Sept 2020

Chichester Marina Boat Show – rescheduled to 20/21 June 2020

Clipper Race – postponed (restart date TBC). Next full race delayed to 2022

Crick Boat Show – postponed (date to be announced)

Cowes Spring Classics – rescheduled to 4/6 September 2020

Lonely Rock Race – currently no change – 16 August 2020

MAA Press Lunch – postponed (date to be announced)

Mayflower Ocean Festival – postponed (date to be announced)

METSTRADE – currently no change – 17/19 November 2020

Monaco Yacht Show – currently no change – 23/ 26 September 2020

Newport Bermuda Race – cancelled

Olympics – postponed (date to be announced)

OSTAR (yacht race) – rescheduled to May 2021

Round the Island Race – rescheduled to 26 Sept 2020

RYA events & training – suspended until 31 May 2020

Poole Harbour Boat Show – cancelled

Poole Regatta – cancelled

Seawork – postponed (date to be announced)

Scottish Dragon Championship and Edinburgh Cup – cancelled

Southampton International Boat Show – currently no change – 11/20 Sept 2020

South Coast Boat Show – postponed to 3/5 July 2020

Superyacht Cup Palma – rescheduled to 23/26 June 2021

Thames Valley and London Boat Show – rescheduled to 26/28 June 2020

TWOSTAR (yacht race) – rescheduled to May 2021

Yacht Racing Forum – currently no change – 23/24 Nov 2020

Acknowledgement to Marine Industry News:

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd. Marine Surveyors & Consultants
EMS also undertake Boat Safety Inspections & Engine Inspections
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: 01603 327 123

EMS in their John Clabburn were requested by the Yacht Designers & Surveyors Association (YBDSA) to give a presentation at their Annual Conference held on-board HMS Belfast, London earlier this month, to a gathering of Lawyers, Surveyors, Insurance representatives & others from the marine sector, on the pro’s and con’s of being an Expert Witness in the marine industry. Giving expert evidence, report writing and presenting such evidence in court plus personal experiences.

All Expert Witness reports and evidence, the production and presentation of reports & evidence is subject to the Civil Procedure Rules Part 35 (CPR part 35)

Overseas / European attendance was down due to travel restrictions, however the HMS Belfast wardroom was packed

HMS Belfast – Light Cruiser

HMS Belfast is a Town-class light cruiser that was built for the Royal Navy. She is now permanently moored as a museum ship on the River Thames in London and is operated by the Imperial War Museum.

Construction of Belfast, the first ship in the Royal Navy to be named after the capital city of Northern Ireland and one of ten Town-class cruisers, began in December 1936. She was launched on St Patrick’s Day 1938. Commissioned in early August 1939 shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, Belfast was initially part of the British naval blockade against Germany.

In November 1939, Belfast struck a German mine and, in spite of fears that she would be scrapped, spent more than two years undergoing extensive repairs. Belfast returned to action in November 1942 with improved firepower, radar equipment, and armour.

Belfast saw action escorting Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union during 1943 and in December 1943 played an important role in the Battle of North Cape, assisting in the destruction of the German warship Scharnhorst. In June 1944, Belfast took part in Operation Overlord supporting the Normandy landings.

In June 1945, she was redeployed to the Far East to join the British Pacific Fleet, arriving shortly before the end of the Second World War. “Belfast” saw further combat action in 1950–52 during the Korean War and underwent an extensive modernisation between 1956 and 1959. A number of further overseas commissions followed before she entered reserve in 1963.

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd. Marine Surveyors & Consultants
EMS also undertake Boat Safety Inspections & Engine Inspections
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: (44) 01603 327 123

An experienced Gas Safe Operative required to undertake a GAS AUDIT project on hire / charter boats in the South of France

” Opportunity for Gas Safe Operative “

Initially undertaking a hire fleet Gas Audit at some five locations in the South of France, then inspecting further hire fleets on a location by location basis throughout France.

Pre-requisite to have experience of hire fleet LPG systems and installations

This is a short term project expected to take up to 1 – 2  months, but not necessarily on a continuous basis

Please send by email details of qualifications & experience to:

[email protected]

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd. Marine Surveyors & Consultants
EMS also undertake Boat Safety Inspections & Engine Inspections
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: (44) 01603 327 123

110′ Classic Gaff Rigged Wood Ketch ‘Cynara’ built in 1927 by Camper & Nicholson – Marine Survey & Valuation carried out by European Marine Services (EMS) in Japan in 2007 (reportedly once owned by Winston Churchill)

Photos provided by EMS to The Times Newspaper in support of an article being written covering the renovation of ‘Cynara’ for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd. 

     Marine Surveyors & Consultants | ADR Mediation  |  Expert Witness 
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: (44) 01603 327 123

With METS reporting an increase in the number of UK exhibitors of 227% compared to 2017, anecdotal evidence that boot Düsseldorf is experiencing an increase of over 30% year on year, UK regional boat shows popping-up and boats at caravan shows, what exactly is happening in our British industry ? Alice Driscoll unpicks the results of our latest MIN survey.

Asking the marine industry for its views about boat shows is a little bit like asking a parent who their favourite child is. It’s an impossible question to answer, and everyone has an opinion. What is evident is that marine businesses judge the effectiveness of a show in terms of their own specific needs, and how the audience at each show meets those needs. As such, the theme of quality of attendee cuts a deep path through the data.

A third of the marine industry surveyed has exhibited at regional retail shows in the past 12 months, including marine specific events – Crick Boat Show Northamptonshire, Brundall Boat Show Norfolk, South Coast Boat Show and British Motor Yacht Show to name a few – as well as non-marine specific shows including Goodwood Festival of Speed, Caravan Shows, Game Fair and county shows. While over 65% exhibited at Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS), around 20% exhibited at Seawork and 17% at the RYA Dinghy Show. Plus, over 55% of respondents exhibited overseas in the past 12 months.

Quality of attendees: UK
When it comes to choosing where to exhibit with so many options available, the quality of attendees (36%) is far more important than the quantity (3%).

“Footfall is important, but the promise of high footfall doesn’t always bring in the right people,” says Ian Patience of Sail and Powerboat Training. “Often visitors are more interested in just looking at boats and are not actually going to go boating.”

This is underpinned by Andy Ash-Vie from Harken, who says: “The RYA Dinghy show is fantastic because of the sheer enthusiasm of the visitors. They are fully engaged and it is a celebration of the sport first, then the business follows. Also, it’s quick and low cost so getting a return on investment is easy to define.”

“The number of visitors is not important, it is the number of sales and qualified leads which really counts,” says one respondent.

“Make them about selling boats,” pleads another, “not footfall and a ‘waterside event’. This becomes an experience/family fun day out – exhibitors aren’t there to entertain the masses.”

So what are the advantages of exhibiting in the UK ?
Aside from sales, there’s no surprise that the most important advantages to exhibiting in the UK are meeting customers: potential (59%), new (47%), and existing (46%).

Building brand awareness is also cited as key (46%), which, considering the UK shows are predominately retail events, was understandably more than twice as important as connecting with the industry (21%). Only 10% of respondents are checking out the competition, while 0% consider finding new suppliers an advantage of exhibiting in the UK.

But where are the sales made at UK shows ?
SIBS topped the bill with nearly 50% stating it achieved the greatest level of sales for the business.

“It attracts good quality clients and gives me the opportunity to connect with other marine companies where further opportunities can be realised,” says one respondent.

That said, 13% of businesses are achieving the greatest level of sales at other shows, like Crick – Northamptonshire, Brundall – Norfolk and Goodwood.

“Crick Boat Show,” says one respondent, offers the “best ROI. [It’s] a four day show with high quality attendees.”

Turn it around
New patterns and challenges are emerging. For example, Nic Parton of Triangle Berth Brokers is already looking at alternative ways of making shows work for him. “We visit more shows than we exhibit at, for example Poole Harbour, METS, Palma Superyacht Show, Seawork and the South Coast Boat show – we make it work for us as a visitor rather than exhibiting, mainly due to cost and time.”

Overseas shows
55% of respondents exhibited overseas in the last 12 months. METS was the most popular exhibition (37% exhibited), followed by boot Düsseldorf (29%), with Cannes and Paris equal in fourth place, followed by Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Dubai. METS also achieved the greatest level of sales overseas for 28% of all respondents.

Customer focused
Aside from sales, like the UK, the three most important advantages for exhibiting overseas were meeting customers: potential (42%), new (37%) and existing (25%). Building brand awareness ranked highly as an advantage (24%), followed by connecting with the industry (18%) and finding new suppliers (6%).

Expense of attending overseas
Interestingly exhibiting at an international event was not necessarily considered to be more expensive than exhibiting at a UK event.

“They make it affordable for small companies,” says Ian Patience of Sail and Powerboat Training who’s exhibited in the UK and at boot Düsseldorf.

“The whole experience at Düsseldorf was totally different,” Ian says. “They make an effort to provide an affordable space, no matter what size company you are. It had very different feel about it. Even the companies exhibiting there were more friendly, they wanted to make contact with you. It is run very professionally.”

Learning from regional shows overseas
Many respondents commented that they exhibit at, or attend, smaller regional retail shows overseas to meet with their manufacturers, dealers and distributors. This gives them a broader experience of what creates effective consumer shows in other countries.

“Seattle and San Francisco both have excellent seminar programs which pull in the real sailors,” says John Curry of Hydrovane. “London was, and Southampton is, awful in that respect. The smallest show ‘Sail Pacific’ in Richmond, California is just as good as the biggest because of the quality of the customers.

“Compare Annapolis’ United States Sailboat Show to Southampton,” John continues. “Annapolis is by far the most fun and gets the best visitors. [There are] practically no big booths. It is jam packed, but they don’t let the big guys dominate. That is what kills shows – big booths hogging the space and squeezing out the little guys.”

How marine companies decide where to exhibit
Quality of attendees is the most important factor considered when deciding where to exhibit (36%), followed by potential sales (28%) and cost of exhibiting (22%). Location (3%), venue (1%) and numbers attending (3%) are hardly worth a mention, but it’s clear that British companies rely heavily on British exhibitions.

“Our market is wholly the UK and not overseas,” says Sue Pierpoint of Flexisail. “Now that the London Boat Show no longer exists it is even more important to keep the Southampton show. It would be disastrous for our business if this no longer existed. We pick up a lot of members at the show and at our two post-show open days in October.”

A show needs to be affordable. “Venue cost is one thing,” says one respondent, “but transporting staff and keeping them over in hotels, B&Bs, etc., is another large overhead not normally considered by the organisers.”

And the best in show is . . . . .
. . . . . . .   like that favourite child, hard to decide.

For some it’s METS, being “appropriate to my business: contacts, networking, wide range of exhibitors, truly international, not parochial, and easy to reach” and “short and sweet, very focussed show over a short period”.

For others, boot Düsseldorf, because “it is easily accessed and is great value of money in every respect from stand space to hotels and food. We always sell boats there and hardly ever at Southampton”.

Others prefer Seawork, as the format’s “a three-day B2B show with everyone focused on business” and “a short show with qualified attendees and the prospect of follow on commercial sales”.

And for others, SIBS tops the bill: “It’s brilliant for sales, networking and brand awareness. Quality of customers is excellent. Southampton is well positioned to attract customers from all over the UK and Europe.”

So is there a future for British Boat Shows ?
78% of marine industry respondents state they will exhibit at UK shows in the next twelve months, 41% in Europe and 15% worldwide. And, although 13% of respondents are not intending to exhibit in the next 12 months (adding a further 3% to those who didn’t exhibit in the last 12 months), for now, the marine sector agrees that ‘yes’, there’s a future, especially for those who only sell in UK markets. And, there are calls for shows in other regional locations.

But there are plenty of caveats.

If, rather than just surviving, British boat shows are to thrive with exhibitors, it’s clear the shows need to attract top quality visitors, the majority of whom fall into the ‘customer’ bracket, instead of looking at numbers through the door.

As well as having engaging and informative sessions (like in-depth seminars) to pull-in those quality visitors, shows can look and learn from successful offerings overseas, especially if, as Ian Cooke, President-elect of British Marine Federation and Director at C-Quip, alludes to, change is coming.

“As the marine industry acknowledges changes in water sports participation, it is vital to our future success that we reflect that change in our presentation to boaters,” Ian says. “It is equally vital to ensure that boat shows are relevant in today’s market”

Source:   Marine Industry News

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd. Marine Surveyors & Consultants
EMS also undertake Boat Safety Inspections & Engine Inspections
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: 01603 327 123

EMS received instructions in late 2019 from an International Hire Fleet Operator to undertake ‘walk through inspections’ of some 112 charter / hire craft based in Germany, Holland, Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.

The selected charter vessels being both ashore and afloat and covered all models and construction designs – aft cockpit, centre cockpit in both GRP and steel

We had specific inspection criteria governing the areas of reporting to include such as the hull & superstructure, internal presentation & condition, engine & engineering services, heating & lighting, windows & deck gear etc

To meet very tight time schedules and targets to complete the entire exercise in some three weeks. EMS had three surveyors undertaking the inspections, which project we managed to complete in some 13 working days averaging 8 vessels per day 

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd. 

     Marine Surveyors & Consultants | ADR Mediation  |  Expert Witness 
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: (44) 01603 327 123

Earlier this year EMS undertook a pre-purchase survey, valuation and engine oil analysis – of the above classic Herbert Woods 36 and we felt that a ‘potted history’ would be of interest to our readers 

Hull:                    Carvel – Pitch Pine on Oak timbers
                            Planking fastened with copper nails and roves

Keel:                    Central hardwood laminated keel with lead ballast

Propulsion:        Perkins P4 Diesel

HISTORY OF ‘SPARK OF LIGHT’:     In 2011 Herbert Woods boatyard managed to buy the former Norfolk Broads hire boat Registration no.’B53′ which is now believed to be the oldest of the Norfolk Broads cruisers built at Herbert Woods in Potter Heigham that is still afloat and in use. This is, to the best of our knowledge and belief, the history of this important piece of Norfolk Broads boating heritage.                                                                         B53 ‘Spark of Light’ was built by Herbert Woods himself in 1927 in a boatshed just upstream from Potter Heigham Bridge.

Very little is known of her early years, however we do have some idea of what she looked like as she features in “Boating on the Norfolk Broads in the 1930’s” a DVD produced by Broadland Memories which shows a family’s 16mm home cine film of their Norfolk Broads boating holiday on ‘Spark of Light’ in 1932. Notice there is no windscreen or wheelhouse, just a solid folding roof with canvas screens to all four sides.                                              At some point before April 1934 the boat’s name was changed to ‘Spot of Light’. We are not sure why, however believe that at some point there may have been a small fire in the galley and Mr Herbert Woods, believing the name ‘Spark of Light’ to be tempting fate, decided to change it to ‘Spot of Light’.

‘Spot of Light’ along with the rest of the Herbert Woods fleet played an important part in the areas war effort. The fleet was moored on Hickling Broad, rafted together and covered with a tarpaulin to prevent German flying boats from landing. By the end of the war the fleet was in a sorry state, with many of the boats riddled with bullet holes where they had been attacked by fighter planes. So, Herbert Woods began a programme of rebuilding the fleet. During this time, we know that ‘Spot of Light’ had a new transom fitted of beautifully figured Cuban mahogany.  It seems ’Spot’ underwent a further name change in 1947 this time to ‘Shimmer of Light’. It is assumed that this occurred when the boat was recommissioned post war as this is how she features in the 1947 Blake’s holiday brochure.

‘Blakes Catalogue’ 1950’s
In 1951 ‘Shimmer of Light’ was fitted with Herbert Woods newly patented ‘Broads Haven’ Retractable Wheel House. This became a unique feature of all Herbert Woods ‘Light Cruisers’.
Sadly in 1954 Mr Herbert Woods died and Mr Lindsay Cutler took over as chairman of the company. Taking a liking to ‘Shimmer of Light’ Mr Cutler removed her from the fleet and registered her as his own private boat in 1955.
Under Mr Cutler’s ownership ‘Spark of Light’ underwent significant refurbishment. She was painted overall in white, had a new diesel engine fitted, the wheelhouse was fixed so it was no longer retractable, two auxiliary fuel tanks were added to increase her range, davits were fitted to the aft deck so that she could take an outboard dinghy and a ‘Dolphin’ ship-to-shore radio that was installed in the saloon. Internally the boat was refitted with new galley appliances, including a fridge. The saloon berths were made to fold up against the sides of the hull and individual armchairs put aboard. Items like the gate leg table were replaced with a new mahogany one.

‘Thurne Dyke’ 2005
‘Shimmer of Light’ was relocated to Broads Edge Marina in Stalham, it was here in 2011 that she was noticed by Waterside Marine Sales, now part of Herbert Woods. It was clear that she was not being regularly used and, realising the unique opportunity of acquiring the oldest Herbert Woods hire boat afloat, the Partners set out to acquire her. An offer was made to Mr Edwards which was accepted and the boat was returned to Herbert Woods. The boat was immediately renamed ‘Spark of Light’ and a programme of restoration began.

‘Arriving back at Herbert Woods’ 2011                                                         Since 2011 ‘Spark of Light’ has been used as a promotional tool for the company and has featured in numerous magazines including Practical Boat Owner and Classic Boat Magazine. In 2014, she was showcased at Herbert Woods’ Heritage Day attended by HRH Princess Anne. ‘Spark of Light’ was also the star attraction at the Herbert Woods 90th Anniversary Fete and Water Frolic in 2016.

Acknowledgement Herbert Woods Ltd, Potter Heigham

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd. 

     Marine Surveyors & Consultants | ADR Mediation  |  Expert Witness 
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: (44) 01603 327 123

Good afternoon Will,

Many thanks for your report and feedback. It all appears to be quite clear enough for me to contact Sam at N Y A and continue with an offer on this boat. I have to visit my bank tomorrow morning so I will take your payment details with me and settle the account in full then.

As mentioned during our meeting would you please send me a copy of the current safety certificate.

May I add that I was extremely impressed with the service I have received in this matter, you personally, showed lots of patience and understanding in carrying out your survey whilst being ‘watched’ and followed around the  boat by a complete novice to boating. Had the roles been reversed I think either you or I would have finished up in the river.

Whilst I do not know of anybody in the Norfolk area seeking a similar survey at present, I will have no hesitation in recommending your company’s services in the future.

With kind regards

I H

As meteorologists warn an ‘El Nino’ event is likely to cause widespread snow events and ice storms from early December onwards, European Marine Services is calling for boat owners to prepare for winter weather.

‘El Nino’ occurs when the sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean is warmer than average, prompting floods in tropical areas and colder winters in the UK.

Heavy rain, flooding, winds, ice and snow can all cause problems for vessels: they could be swept away, blown off course, take on water, sink or suffer a hull breach.  And with nearly one in three of call-outs is due to a lack of general maintenance, we fear ‘neglected’ boats will be put at risk.

Some simple precautions, however, can reduce the likelihood of winter damage.  When a weather event does strike, it’s time to get into a routine of visiting the boat regularly and undertake the following;

• Check the batteries are fully charged, with a bilge pump in continuous operation even a fully charged battery will only last a few days.
• Check bilge pumps are fully operational and left on ‘automatic’ setting.
• If there’s no bilge pump or only a manual one is fitted, install an automatic bilge pump – and don’t be complacent; just because it automatically operates, it still needs checking (it relies on battery power so unless the boat’s shore powered, there isn’t an unlimited supply).
• Check drain holes and clear debris – keeping these clear will stop water running into the engine room.
• Check ropes and anchoring points, if the mooring’s at risk of flooding, run a rope to locations that can still be accessed even in a flood situation.
• In windy conditions, check ropes for chafing and ensure they are well positioned and adjusted to the conditions.
• Before moving a boat in ice consider the importance of your journey – it’s easy to believe you’re impregnable when surrounded by steel but even a couple of inches of ice can pierce a hull.
• Check river conditions, and again consider whether the journey is really necessary; river conditions can change quickly and easily catch you unaware. Get updates from the Environment Agency.
• Check the wind direction before manoeuvring. When coupled with difficult river conditions, the windage of a boat can be easily underestimated and your vessel will become uncontrollable.

“If your vessel’s caught in a situation, don’t attempt to recover it without assistance. Severe weather conditions increase the risk to boat owners and simple tasks can easily result in accidents and injury.”

Acknowledgement to Marine Industry News – [email protected].

For more information contact European Marine Services Ltd.  Marine Surveyors & Consultants 
EMS also undertake Boat Safety Inspections & Engine Inspections
Tel: 01603 327 123  

 www.europeanmarinesurveys.com