Labour MEP, Richard Corbett, has revealed there is hope yet for the two Yorkshire pleasure boats that were informed by British maritime authorities they would not be able to continue making their traditional voyages along the Yorkshire coastline.
Richard said: "I have been in correspondence with Jim Fitzpatrick, Under Secretary of State for Transport, who claimed the two Yorkshire pleasure boats were prevented from sailing because his department did not believe they would meet the requirements of a new EU Maritime Directive."
Because of this, the UK decided to keep their existing restrictions on the distance these boats could sail without granting any more exemptions, instead of applying the less restrictive regulations contained in the EU Directive that would allow the Coronia and Yorkshire Belle to keep sailing.
Richard continued: "However, after contacting the EU Commission about the matter, it appears that as far as they are concerned all UK pleasure boats currently sailing in Britain 's waters are, in fact, adhering to the requirements of the Maritime Directive. I therefore see no reason why the UK authorities cannot apply the restrictions in the Directive that would allow the Coronia and Yorkshire Belle to continue making their traditional voyages."
The Commission also informed Mr Corbett that it is entirely up to the UK authorities whether they apply the EU Directive in full, or make a request that exemptions could be granted under certain circumstances where it would be appropriate to establish less stringent requirement than those contained in the Directive.
- Richard Corbett is a Labour Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and Humber
- See attached letter from the Commission for more details on their stance
- See attached letter to Jim Fitzpatrick for more details on the course of action Richard Corbett MEP is urging the UK authorities to take
- Existing British passenger vessel restrictions only allow boats to sail 15 miles from their departure point
- EU passenger vessel restrictions allow boats to sail within 15 miles from the nearest harbour
more information
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- phone 0113 245 8987
- e-mail luke@richardcorbett.org.uk
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