Committees 

• View a summary of recent major decisions and on-going debates made by RYA Committees.

While RYA Council is the RYA's senior policy-making body in boating matters, responsibility for the Association's different activities and areas of interest is delegated to a number of policy committees.

The Chairmen of policy committees sit on RYA Council as ex officio members (i.e. by virtue of their committee position), as do the Chairmen of the various Home Country and regional committees.

Several policy committees have further sub-committees and/or expert panels, who deal with specific aspects of their main departmental activity.

The main function of the policy committees and sub-committees is to agree and oversee the implementation of RYA policy in their respective areas. Responsibility for day-to-day management of each area rests with the RYA's professional staff, with the relevant departmental manager acting as secretary to his or her committee.

Many issues of interest to RYA members involve more than one committee. In such cases, one of the interested committees will act as lead committee. Similarly, policy decisions by one committee may require endorsement by another, or by the Board.

Committees have formal terms of reference, approved by RYA Council, that define the nature and scope of their responsibilities and set specific criteria for membership. In general, members are required to have relevant experience or expertise in the area for which their committee is responsible. The terms of reference also limit the length of time a member may serve on a committee or as its chairman, to ensure that there is an element of fresh blood to balance the experience of longer-standing members.

The RYA's main committees and sub-committees are shown below. Committees with initials shown in brackets are main committees. Please note that the responsibilities shown against the main committees are for general guidance only and are not intended to be definitive.

Honours and Awards
Considers nominations for RYA honours and awards, e.g. RYA Community Awards.

RYA Tribunal
Deals with disciplinary issues within the sport and the RYA's membership.

Audit Committee
Draws Council's attention to matters affecting the financial reporting, internal controls and risk management systems of the Association.

Certifying Authority Committee
Formally required under the MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) as recognition of the RYA as a certification authority for small commercial vessels.

Cruising and Government Affairs Committee (CGAC)
Responsible for policy, advice and services relating to motor and sail cruising. Combines this role with representation of the RYA's views to government and other public bodies, and the management of legal issues including the provision of relevant legal information and advice to members and affiliated clubs and classes. Supporting committees/sub-committees and advisory groups: Planning and Environmental; Inland Navigations; Moorings and Marinas, Offshore and Coastal Consultative Panel. 

Marketing Committee (MC)
Responsible for the RYA's marketing activities including PR and media relations, membership marketing, RYA publications and the RYA Dinghy Sailing Show.

Powerboat Racing Committee (PBRC)
Oversees the RYA's responsibilities as the national governing body for powerboat racing in the UK. Supporting committees/sub-committees: Appeals Board; Jet Sport Racing; Circuit Racing; Offshore Racing; Powerboat Records.

Racing Committee (RC)
Oversees the RYA's responsibilities as the national governing body for sail racing in the UK and responsible for the management of Team GBR and supporting development activities.

Racing supporting committees/sub-committees:
International Group; Racing Rules; Judging and Umpiring; Race Management; Match Racing; Offshore Racing; Team Racing; Olympic Steering Group; Paralympic Steering Group; Youth Steering Group.

Sport Development Committee (SDC)
Responsible for RYA policy, advice and services relating to Sport Development issues. The committee's main objective is to develop the RYA Sport Development strategy and oversee its implementation through the creation and delivery by the RYA Sport Development Manager of the RYA Sport Development Plan.

Technical Committee (TEC)
Responsible for RYA policy, advice and services relating to handicapping and technical issues, e.g. coding, recreational craft directive, boat safety scheme. Supporting committees/sub-committees: Portsmouth Yardstick Advisory Group; RYA & RORC Sportsboat Rule Management Group.

Training Committee (TC)
Responsible for RYA policy, advice and services relating to training and safety issues, and for the management of the RYA Yachtmaster scheme and further training courses and qualifications including RYA Training Centre and individual instructor accreditation. Supporting committees/sub-committees: Yachtmaster Qualification Panel.

Please consult the 2011-12 Committee List for the current membership of RYA main, supporting and sub-committees.