RYA Advice On Assisting or Rescuing Immigrants At Sea

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Stuart Carruthers says you are not under any obligation to do "it" (rescue people). Really?
There are two potential levels of obligation here: moral and legal. I hope there's no debate needed on here regarding the moral obligation. As for the legal obligation, the MP quoted says there is a legal obligation to go to the rescue under international law. Is he right (subject to not endangering your own ship or crew)?

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So Carruthers is plainly wrong when he says there is no obligation to do so - it is a requirement in uk maritime law. That's all I was interested in really, whether the RYA actually know what they are talking about.

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I'm not going to waste time trying to decipher this essay/incoherent rant. Caruthers says there is no obligation. You, yourself point to the legislation that shows there is. I'm not sure what bit of this you don't understand. Its not a question of being better worded - what he said is incorrect. There is a legal obligation to give aid, subject to not endangering yourself. I'm not arguing about what anyone should/shouldnt do in a hypothetical situation. Just that Carruthers, on behalf of RYA should be clear on the facts, and accurately state them when giving a public statement to the press.

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Not sure it’s going to be a problem in the Sound of Mull so I’ll not worry about it..

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I would struggle to get a MOB back on board never mind a group of immigrants, so it will not make any practical difference to me either. I just object to the RYA digging its oar in, and claiming to represent recreational sailors while giving ill-considered quotes. I fully accept their remit as administrators of posh white people pratting about in plastic bathtubs at the olympics. I don't accept them speaking on my behalf, especially on a topic that is both high profile and politically contentious. By all means provide private guidance to their members, but don't go yacking to the press without fully considering all angles and giving a very detailed statement including the full context.