EBA General Assembly April 2016
6th June 2016
The spring 2016 General Assembly of the European Boating Association was held at the Tryp Belver Hotel, Palma de Majorca on 15 – 16 April 2016. 18 Members were represented at the meeting.
The General Assembly approved the 2015 EBA Accounts and reviewed the 2016 budget.
It received update reports from the Secretariat and Members on International Standards Organisation (ISO) Technical Committees (TC) 188 and 228, the Recreational Craft Directive, World Sailing and the International Maritime Organisation, the United National Economic Commission for Europe, the European Commission Nautical Tourism Strategy and the World Canals Conference.
Members were advised about national Marine Strategy Framework Directive commitments to reach Good Environmental Status by 2020. The Water Framework Directive Good Navigation Status Project was also discussed.
Many members notice a decline in “organised” watersports. National initiatives to support clubs and increase participation in recreational boating were discussed and the EBA considered whether there was any way it could assist its Members with such initiatives, in particular to support those countries which did not yet have such schemes.
The General Assembly received an update on End Life of Boats and endorsed the need for follow up action to actively approach the European Commission with the “consumer/ user” position.
The need for EBA Position Statements covering a range of subjects was discussed and decisions were taken on which position statements should be developed.
Safety, environmental and inland waterways matters were discussed and the EBA’s direction of travel for those subject areas it considered to be of concern were agreed. Finding the right balance between pleasure boating and nature preservation was a growing concern. This was vividly expressed by reports from the Swedish Boating Union leading to dedicated actions to be taken.
Members input on future EBA initiatives was also sought.
Next EBA General Assembly meeting: 21–22 October 2016, Vienna, Austria
Information on eligibility to join the EBA can be found at on the EBA website.