RATS has received from Garmin the note copied below. It may be of use to anyone who has the 2009 issue of the BlueChart electronic charts. The UK contact number is 023 8052 4000: the one in the note is for the USA.
RATS News
Choose a news department from the menu on the left. You can bookmark any particular type of news as, say, http://myca.org.uk/news/library
Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia
Submitted by Ted Osborn on Thu, 19/03/2009 - 16:18.News from:
RATSYachts to be included in Piracy Deterrence Operations in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia
Spanish Taxes Update
Submitted by jim baerselman on Sun, 15/03/2009 - 12:19.News from:
RATSThe issue of liability for tax for boat owners who keep their boats in Spain for an extended period has been a thorny issue for some time. Click on the heading to see a summary of the matter.
MSI Weather Broadcasts
Submitted by colin heywood on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 10:01.News from:
RATSMSI Weather Broadcasts.
LED Navigation light Replacement bulbs
Submitted by colin heywood on Wed, 25/06/2008 - 09:40.News from:
RATSRATS has recently seen advertisements in chandlery catalogues for LED navigation replacement bulbs that carry some warnings about their use.
Antifouling less effective in 2007?
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Tue, 13/05/2008 - 16:04.News from:
RATSWell I thought so. In the previous three seasons the boat has come out virtually clean,but this year I might just as well not have put any antifouling on at all.
Square pans for square meals
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Tue, 13/05/2008 - 16:01.News from:
RATSRATS receives all kinds of queries (some I am sure maliciously thought up to catch us out!) though not in this case.
The end of TBT
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Tue, 13/05/2008 - 15:58.News from:
RATSThe use of TBT (tributyltin) antifouling banned for use on leisure craft, but not commercially since the eighties, because of its harmful affects on marine life, finally looks like coming to the end of its days.
Don’t take foot and mouth abroad
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Tue, 13/05/2008 - 15:53.News from:
RATSThe recent outbreak of foot and mouth in deepest Surrey might seem a long way from the sea and nothing much to concern us, but this is wrong. We hear about the restrictions on the movement of livestock, but restrictions extend much wider, and they do apply to us.
A new cruising ground?
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Tue, 13/05/2008 - 15:46.News from:
RATSApparently in 2007 the Arctic icecap has melted back further than ever before. On September 9th it was reported that it covered an area of just 4.24msq.kms.
SOLAS vessels to report
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Thu, 01/05/2008 - 20:16.News from:
RATSIn a further announcement MCA has stated that as from 1st January 2008 all SOLAS vessels on long range voyages (defined as in non A1 areas, ie outside VHF range from shore) are required to transmit details of their identity and position at least every six hours.
Radar reflectors should be permanently mounted
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Thu, 01/05/2008 - 20:13.News from:
RATSIn a recent MGN (Marine Guidance Notice) MCA state that:
1.
The Queen and RATS inspect Galatea
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Thu, 01/05/2008 - 20:07.News from:
RATSRepresentatives from RATS were invited to visit the new Trinity House tender, GALATEA, when she was in London alongside HMS BELFAST, to be named by Her Majesty the Queen, prior to entering service.
Coastal marina sector worth over £500 million to UK economy
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Thu, 01/05/2008 - 19:32.News from:
RATSA new comprehensive study of coastal marinas in the UK and Channel Islands has revealed the vital role played by marinas in economic development.
Square pans for square meals
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Thu, 01/05/2008 - 19:27.News from:
RATSRATS receives all kinds of queries (some I am sure maliciously thought up to catch us out!) though not in this case.
The end of TBT
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Thu, 01/05/2008 - 19:22.News from:
RATSThe use of TBT (tributyltin) antifouling banned for use on leisure craft, but not commercially since the eighties, because of its harmful affects on marine life, finally looks like coming to the end of its days.
Don’t take foot and mouth abroad
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Thu, 01/05/2008 - 19:13.News from:
RATSThe recent outbreak of foot and mouth in deepest Surrey might seem a long way from the sea and nothing much to concern us, but this is wrong. We hear about the restrictions on the movement of livestock, but restrictions extend much wider, and they do apply to us.
A new cruising ground?
Submitted by Ian Griffiths on Thu, 01/05/2008 - 19:10.News from:
RATSApparently in 2007 the Arctic icecap has melted back further than ever before. On September 9th it was reported that it covered an area of just 4.24 msq.kms.
Automatic Identification System (Class B) for Non-Solas Vessels
Submitted by colin heywood on Sun, 09/03/2008 - 21:08.News from:
RATSMore equipment recalls
Submitted by colin heywood on Sun, 13/01/2008 - 12:00.News from:
RATS1. XM have issued a recall on their Bosun’s Chair ref.176856, old ref. BC, after an incident when a yachtsman was working at the top of a 40ft mast and the stitching of the webbing parted from the ring attaching it to the halyard. Luckily he was also wearing a harness and a climber’s hook which saved him from a disastrous fall.