New RYA publications

Updates safety handbook and UK slipway guide

The new, fully revised RYA Boat Safety Handbook (C8/02) has been launched at the Southampton Boat Show. The new booklet carries advice from the number of flares to carry and what factors to look for in a life raft to what the different categories of life jacket mean and how much anchor chain you need. The handbook answers all these questions and much, much more.

Using full colour illustrations and photographs, the Boat Safety Handbook explains the latest developments in safety equipment and will help you to choose the correct gear for you, your crew and your boat.

In the foreword, Andrew Freemantle, Chief Executive of the RNLI, writes, 'The RNLI's free Safety Equipment Advisory (SEA) Check Scheme helps you to make the right decision about your boating equipment and our advisors base their recommendations on this RYA Boat Safety Handbook.'

The new RYA Boat Safety Handbook (C8/02) - £4.30 is available from www.rya.org.uk/shop or orders hotline 023 8062 7412 or email orders@rya.org.uk

Also available is the RYA's new 'driveway to slipway' guide. Compiled by boatlaunch.co.uk the RYA's Slipway guide is a quick, hassle-free aid to launching a boat from a trailer.

Kathryn Burnett RYA Cruising Manager commenting on the new service said, 'Our aim is to provide a useful web feature for the trailer boat owner that gives accurate, up-to-date information on launch sites around the country. The RYA Slipway guide will open up new locations for people to explore with their boats'

The website lists 700 launch sites around the UK with more launch sites being added all the time. The secret of the guide's success is that users can add or correct information on their favourite launch sites. Regular contributions do come from Harbour Masters and local authorities but lots of the information comes from people involved with boats on a daily basis all over the UK.

Information available in the RYA Slipway Guide includes: descriptions of the ramp, tidal access and the sizes of boat that can use the ramp through to instructions on how to get there. Also, local information such as hazards and restrictions, low bridges plus details on car parking, cafes, showers and changing facilities.

Geoff Campbell, MD of Boatlaunch.co.uk added, 'We are delighted to be able to support the RYA in this project to help 'trailer boaters' get the most from their craft'