You will see that the newsletter is focusing again on support and help for businesses during the Covid 19 restrictions to our industry. We make no apology as we need to ensure our voice is heard and support is forthcoming. Please report any changes you see that aid you to gain support. Any change maybe the precedent we need to help others.
British Marine and The Federation of Small Businesses appears to be helping to drive support for change and financial assistance.
The best support we have seen is from The Federation of Small Businesses
The most recent updates have concerned Discretionary Grants for our type of business if you fell outside all other types of financial support. All Local Authorities are running these but some are better than others.
We posted on Facebook a very good discretion of the grants which was on Cheshire East local authority site --
This explains the grant and each local authority will be following this and process dates will change in each area and value will change according to the number of applications and need we are told. Some have now closed and others are still not set up, please check with your local authority pages for Discretionary Grants. These can be for a home office and even for the marina fees as these are also seen as rates to the Marina.
CHARTER INSURANCE COVER
We have been and continue to talk with brokers and insurers concerning marine insurance for charter operations.
It is clear that insurers are slowing removing themselves from our market leaving a few companies to manage our risks.
As this occurs we are also seeing new policies having total exclusions on COVID disease cover and will also exclude payments if you as a accompany have not followed government guidelines and risk assessed this area.
Please look at your insurance cover and also watch the changes as you renew. One of the biggest areas will be linked to COVID-19 and how the insurance industry see the threat and what they are imposing on the charter market.
We are and will see more specifics from insurers about excluding claims related to covid - even today changing from a total exclusion to that listed below:-
Your Policy does not cover any claim in any way caused by or resulting from: 1) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19); 2) Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2); 3) Any mutation or variation of SARS-CoV-2; 4) Any fear or threat of 1(, 2) or 3) above
except in relation to employers liability & public liability claims
One very used company are also now saying asking/ stating ;
“Have you carried out a Covid-19 Risk Assessment regarding safe working practices in line with the guidance published by HM Government?”
Please note the question has been added to your Statement of Fact. If for any reason the answer to this question will be “No” and the Insured has not carried out a Covid-19 Risk Assessment then we need to be advised immediately. We must advise that failure to complete a Covid-19 Risk Assessment could result in the Insured’s Policy being cancelled in its entirety.
IT IS VITAL now that members follow this from now and also have records of RISK assessments. The PCA have produced and added to the download section of the website some example for using with your company. Get these now https://www.chartersassociation.co.uk (members downloads)
We have also advised everyone to download and add to your business premise or aboard your vessels these risk assessments and this COVID SECURE-19 signed notice. The signed Covid Secure is part of return to work Government Guidelines.
Time to add to PCA Vessel Folders?
COVID lockdown and DEFRA notice.!!
We have written to the Rt Hon George Eustace MP requesting urgent information of their change in policy from Inland Waterways to add Coastal operations on 11th June 2020
providing policy, guidance, and funding to English local authorities to help them run and maintain their road networks, improve passenger and freight travel, and develop new major transport schemes
Investing in, maintaining and operating around 4,300 miles of the motorway and trunk road network in England through Highways England
setting the strategic direction for the rail industry in England and Wales – funding investment in infrastructure through Network Rail, awarding and managing rail franchises, and regulating rail fares
improving English bus services through funding and regulation
working to make our roads less congested and polluted by promoting lower carbon transport, including cycling and walking
encouraging the use of new technology such as smart ticketing and low carbon vehicles
maintaining high standards of safety and security in transport
supporting the maritime sector by producing the overall strategy and planning policy for ports in England and Wales
setting national aviation policy, working with airlines, airports, the Civil Aviation Authority and NATS (the UK’s air traffic service)
As yet The Department responsible for the Marine sector have issued no statement or notice we can find stating that skippered charter operation must remain closed. They are the authority for MCA and our industry.
We have some serious concerns that after the initial DEFRA notice for INLAND WATERWAYS that British Marine pushed to have Coastal Ops added as this area were starting to operate under government guidelines with social distancing and cleaning regimes in place to be COVID SECURE. This is an area we are driving to establish who was responsible for sudden change in policy.
DO NOT FORGET WHEN RESTARTING YOUR OPERATIONS TO MAKE USE OF THESE DOCUMENTS AND POSTERS
Both these are downloadable from the members area of PCA website. We have a few sizes . The bigger poster on the right is A2 and we will send these to you free if needed for offices, boats, A Boards,
just let Graeme Sign know at members@charterassociation.co.uk
The local governments have been given new money to expand their teams to check on Covid Secure businesses and they will be looking for your risk assessments and the signed poster(A4) on the left. We suggest a copy is also on your vessels
Facebook and Twitter
Hopefully everyone is aware we run a Facebook and Twitter account for the PCA.
PLEASE LIKE and FOLLOW these pages, and also if you are on Twitter and Facebook we can share and retweet your great posts, If you don't post we cant advertise you for free!!!
The PCA fully support this register of coded charter vessels and is part of your membership
Dont forget to keep using social media, it's free and we use it to promote your business too
The Team,
Website Communications
Charters Association,
email: newsletter@charterassociation.co.uk web: www.chartersassociation.co.uk
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