WindlassFree

It is my understanding that MLC expected the marina owners to be instrumental in the introduction of the licence scheme. However, the GDPR Data Regulations prevented this in the way that MLC had expected. This shows naivety on the part of the MLC. For their part, I believe that the marina owners did their best to make boat owners aware of the need to license ahead of the proposed introduction on April 1st. However, I understand that the information that they were given by MLC was minimal and at very short notice prior to lockdown. This is supported by the lack of information on the MLC website prior to lockdown. This highlights the lack of engagement, its a common and recurring theme. With regards to marina based boat dwellers, they pay their mooring fees, therefore, if they do not venture out onto the navigation they should not be expected to pay the licence fee. However, clearly, the requirement to register the vessel provides the MLC with the information required to issue a penalty or legal proceedings against a boat owner should the vessel be found on the navigation without a licence. It is unfortunate that MLC missed a golden opportunity to engage with the local boating community at the ANRC Rally that was cancelled in May due to the COVID Pandemic. The MLC were due to have presented their case for boat registration charges during the rally, this would have provided the ideal opportunity for a full and frank exchange which appears to have been sadly lacking thus far for many of the boat owners on MLC waters.

It appears to me that MLC have failed to engage with the local boating community and indeed those from further afield who have boats on the Middle Level. It appears that there has been little consultation or preparation with regards to the introduction of the license, despite claims from MLC to the contrary. Many in my marina claim to have no knowledge about the plans. Were it not for the cancellation of the ANRC Rally we may all may have been better informed as MLC were due to have presented their plans for licensing during the rally. Fortunately for MLC they have been able to blame the Covid Pandemic for their ineptitude. I have absolutely no problem with the aims of the scheme, merely with the way in which it is being introduced. Given the level of opposition that I have encountered to the introduction of the license, I believe that the license should have been phased in with a minimal charge in the first year or two with gradual increases over three to five years. This would have allowed the many who oppose the introduction of the license to reluctantly embrace it and become accustomed to it. I am sure the requirement for the BSS will cause many boat owners issues in seeking to comply due to Covid and the time it may take to complete work in order to comply and have their craft tested, in many cases I do not believe the current six months deferral is adequate particularly in light of the current economic downturn. Currently it appears that very few have purchased a licence as we come to the end of the first month of the scheme. Those that have purchased have not benefited from the proposed 25% (12.5% for the half year) discount that was offered when the plan was to introduce the the license on April 1st. Travelling around the ML Waters this week, it appears that there are very few boat registered or at least are displaying the license as required. It is very unfair on those that have sought to comply with the new requirements of the MLC by purchasing a license only to find that the vast majority have not and those who have not appear to be getting away with it.