WORLDNEWS
Success at season opener
Approximately 35,000 people visited
the Palma International Boat Show
in April, helping to bolster its growing
reputation as the unofficial curtain
raiser to the start of the Mediterranean
boating season.
All the major European motor boat
brands were represented, mostly
by a local dealer, with many of them
claiming significant sales successes.
Multimar Alcudia sold three Axopars
in the opening two days of the show
and by day three, had sold more
boats than at any other show in
the last 12 months. Azimut dealer
Marina Estrella also claimed to
have concluded ‘several sales’ and
started negotiations on many more.
Although only a few boats made
their global debut at the Palma
show, such as the De Antonio D
and Nuva M6 Open, it is becoming
an increasingly important venue
for sales of good-quality brokerage
craft and superyachts.Belgium allows red diesel
Danish insurance rules change
Palma show
Compulsory liability insurance introduced for ‘speedboats’
The Cruising Association has received
official notice from the Belgian
Finance Office that there will be no
fines or penalties for UK vessels
visiting Belgium with red diesel in their
tanks provided crew have proof of
100% fuel duty having being paid.
The official wording states: ‘The
policy of tolerance regarding red
diesel in UK-flagged yachts visiting
Belgium will be maintained until
further notice. Any change to this
policy will be communicated in due
time. This removes any remaining
uncertainty for the members, and
other yachtsmen and women, who
wish to make the crossing from
the east coast or channel ports
to Belgium. This status quo to the
agreement will not change, withoutcomplex calculation and does
encompass some larger cruisers.
To check, multiply the length of the
boat in metres by itself and then
add three. If the engine power (in
kW) exceeds this figure then your
vessel is designated a speedboat.
Coleman Insurance Brokers’ Tony
Pauffley told MBY, “Some British
policies will already be of the required
level of cover and approved by the
Danish authorities. Any insurance
placed with Lloyds, for example,
should be. But clearly anyone
visiting Denmark would be strongly
advised to confirm this in advance.”Insurance must be provided by a member of
the Danish association of insurance companiesOffi ce confi rms no fi nes
The Royal Yachting Association is
warning boaters of new regulations
governing all boats under 15m long
being used in Denmark, including
visiting boats from the UK. The
rules apply to ‘personal watercraft
and speedboats’, which will require
a certificate of operation and
compulsory liability insurance.
This must be presented to
Danish authorities if requested.The boat’s operator is responsible for
taking out the compulsory insurance
and crucially, the insurance must be
provided by a company which is a
member of the Danish association of
insurance companies. This could rule
out many existing valid policies from
reputable British-based insurance
companies, even if they carry the
required level of cover.
‘Speedboat’ is defined by a slightlyIT COULD ONLY
HAPPEN IN....
AUSTRALIA300 MEN IN A BOAT
Chinese artist and activist
Ai Weiwei has created an
installation called Law of
the Journey ahead of the 21st
Biennale of Sydney at Cockatoo
Island, Sydney. It features a giant
inflatable boat filled with people
wearing life jackets, symbolising
the refugee humanitarian crisis.Visiting British boats will no
longer be penalised for having
red diesel in their tanksMost visiting sportsboats and
cruisers under 15m are going
to be affected by the new rulePalma is now a major
show for sales of new
and used yachtswarning, on behalf of the boating
community in the UK.’
Belgium had previously taken
a hard line on boats with red diesel,
even if it had been legally purchased inthe UK, stating it was unlawful to use
red diesel for propelling a boat in its
waters. Last year there was a report
of a UK boater fined €500 for having
traces of red diesel in his fuel tank.