Running Rib pleasure rides from a beach...

[searider12]

Hi all,

Just pondering the logistics of using my rib to run pleasure cruises off a beach during the summer - possibly with me driving, possibly employing someone to drive. I've been hunting around to try and work out the insurance/regulatory requirements but can't find much. Anyone have any golden tips before I approach the harbour master to ask?

Thanks!

[Last Tango]

Contact the RYA and they'll point you in the right direction.

The boat will need to be Coded and you will need, minimum, commercially endorsed PB2 qualification.

[JetRib]

What is the RYA and what is their link?

[Lee argyle]

Boat coding, appropriate qualifications, business / liability insurance ( which potentially could cost!! ) and not forgetting a commercial licence / permission thingy from the local council to run a business from a public beach. You could always contact a established RIB business to see what hoops they’ve had to jump through, good luck

[Lee argyle]

https://www.rya.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

[Bern Hanreck]

The OP was being directed to

https://www.rya.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

A very British title for a specific UK enquiry !
Very different rules will apply to you , probably on a State by State basis .

( beaten on the internetz......yet again )

[Tony Hill]

Your reference is MGN280

Google search MCGA MGN280

Digest the relevant sections for a RIB. This is always your start point

[ShinyShoe]

From a beach?

Awful idea!

How will your passengers board? They won't want wet feet. How can you ensure there are no swimmers etc where you want to "land"
Where will you store gear? I'd expect you are providing waterproof clothing? Life jackets? Before boarding? Where will you store spares (kids, spares in case one pops etc), fuel?

You could have a jetty... But if it's tidal you need to move it constantly.

Safety briefing ashore or on the water?

[beamishken]

A friend of mine runs speed boat trips from the beach in Largs he uses a classic Volga hydrofoil,he operates from a wheeled platform that winches up and down the beach to suit the tide Works very well.His trips are very popular with everyone in the town as his family have been doing it for years . His boat is coded but to a low category so doesnt need a liferaft. He does carry lifejackets but few people use them as its just a ride round the bay on a summers day. Think he has a licence from the council but I dont know the full ins and outs of the regulations.
If your talking about a quick blast round the bay then it is doable. But lots of homework required

[Dry Run]

Hi,

There was a forum member (SkipperMarky if I recall correctly) who used to run a rib ride service from Southsea sea front in Portsmouth. If you could track him down, his knowledge would be very salient.

Regards

Steve

[searider12]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful. I'll see if I can bend the ear of someone already doing it. Have msged skippermarky.

Best for the New Year

[Fender]

Boat Trips and Boat Tours at The Needles
run off the beach near the needles

https://www.rebelmarine.co.uk/
Rib rides in the solent

https://www.solentribcharter.co.uk/l...n-rib-charter/
RIB chartering / rides

[searider12]

Thanks. Do you know any of the guys who run these and would they be happy to have a chat?

Cheers

[HDAV]

These guys run off sandy beaches with a big tidal range cant rembere how we boarded but they operate successfully and have done from a couple of locations the boat is a beast tpp

Gower Coast Adventures


The FAQ explains the current boarding process
http://www.gowercoastadventures.co.uk/info/faq

Well worth booking a few trips and seeing what each operation is like

[Poly]

Many years ago there was an article (I think it was actually a series) about what is required to (successfully and legally) make money from your boat, in Rib international or whatever hugo’s comic was called at the time. Would be worth hunting down if you are serious. I think it was written by Qinquari essentially promoting their services but had some good background.

I can’t remember if it covered local authority licensing as an alternative to Mca coding - that is what beamishken is alluding to - but will only apply if your waters have been categorised.

What qualifications do you have?
What is the boat? How many proper seats does it have?

[venturejet]

Hi. We’ve been operating jet boat passenger trips from Whitesands beach, St Davids in Pembrokeshire (& other beaches on occasion) for well over 30 years. Feel free to call us on 01348 837764 & we’ll be happy to help in any way we can. Tim’s been working safely off Whitesands for 40 years (both outboards & jets in the early years with Ocean Dynamics, exclusively jet with our own company, Venture Jet) so he’d be a good person to talk to :-) .
Most RIBs aren’t well suited to beach operations, particularly if the beach is rather flat; it’s worth setting your RIB up with beach ops in mind. We’re able to simply have passengers boarding from the back of the boat but of course it’s possible on some beaches to board via pontoon or over the bow via a short ladder.
Things to think about (which will no doubt already have occurred to you): tides, surf, anchoring, boarding & disembarking options (anchoring / pontoon / ladder etc), local authority & beach rules & regs, beach boat handling & maintenance. Coding & insurance needn’t be a problem – you just need a good commercial policy (happy to give you details should you wish). Beach operations can be far more weather dependent than other locations but they can provide a really fantastic experience for the passenger.
We operate a 9m Ocean Dyamics Ribworker which was designed to work off beaches. It’s a shallow draft open transom aluminium hull with a jet, which enables us to operate in just 18 inches of water. The jet maximises control even at very slow speeds, enabling us to manoeuvre safely around other water users, with the huge safety advantage of no propellers (something our local authority recognises as important). This gives you some idea: https://www.facebook.com/VentureJet/...3095994001845/
Good luck with your boat plans whatever they may be. We’re retiring so please pass on our details to anyone who wants a good Ribworker jet boat or who feels like taking over from us at Whitesands :-) .
Beth & Tim @ Venture Jet, tel: 01348 837764, www.venturejet.co.uk