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LED Navigation light Replacement bulbs

From:
RATS

RATS has recently seen advertisements in chandlery catalogues for LED navigation replacement bulbs that carry some warnings about their use.

Antifouling less effective in 2007?

From:
RATS

Well 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. Launching at the end of April the bottom had a mat of well established stringy weed on the bow and around the stern particularly bad on the transom hung rudder, by the beginning of July.

Square pans for square meals

From:
RATS

RATS 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

From:
RATS

The 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

From:
RATS

The 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?

From:
RATS

Apparently 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. The previous minimum record was 5.32 msq kms in September 2005.During this year the North West Passage was open from August 22nd.

SOLAS vessels to report

From:
RATS

In 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. The system is known as LRIT (Long Range Identification & Tracking).

Radar reflectors should be permanently mounted

From:
RATS

In a recent MGN (Marine Guidance Notice) MCA state that:

1. ‘It is strongly recommended that yachtsmen permanently install, not just carry a radar reflector or RTE, that offers the largest Radar Cross Section practicable for their vessel.

The Queen and RATS inspect Galatea

From:
RATS

Representatives 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. Described as a multi-functional vessel, GALATEA has been designed for buoy handling, wreck marking, towing, and has multi beam and side scan hydrographic surveying capabilities.

Coastal marina sector worth over £500 million to UK economy

From:
RATS

A 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

From:
RATS

RATS 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

From:
RATS

The 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

From:
RATS

The 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?

From:
RATS

Apparently 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. The previous minimum record was 5.32 msq kms in September 2005.During this year the North West Passage was open from August 22nd.

Automatic Identification System (Class B) for Non-Solas Vessels

From:
RATS

This MIN (Marine Information Notice) is published for information. RATS would be interested to hear from members about their experiences with the use of any type of AIS equipment.

More equipment recalls

From:
RATS

1. 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.