At a recent presentation by Minister of Shipping he confirmed that although larger pleasure craft may in future be subject to the payment of light dues, he had no plans to introduce a compulsory registration scheme in order to collect the charge from smaller boats.
At a recent presentation by Minister of Shipping he confirmed that although larger pleasure craft may in future be subject to the payment of light dues, he had no plans to introduce a compulsory registration scheme in order to collect the charge from smaller boats. He felt this would be far too costly, burdensome and self-defeating.
He did however say that the introduction of new technology such as integrated position fixing receivers capable of Loran C, GPS and GNSS would in time allow Trinity House to reduce the number of lighthouses around the coast.
The minister was also very vocal on the subject of drink driving afloat vowing to address the issue on large and fast boats although he did not define how large or how fast. He also referred to the problem of ‘jet skiers’ (PWC’s) and their safety in view that some are now venturing further offshore.
