News

Figures from British Marine show that in 2020, boat sales grew by 9% - and we would hazard a guess that the 2021 and 2022 figures will continue to show this upward rise! So if you’re thinking about buying a boat for the first time, or upgrading your current one, what do you need to know? 

At Topsail, we offer a range of optional, additional policies to complement our Boat insurance policies! You’re probably wondering, what do they offer me - are they even worth it? Well, each optional cover we offer has its own individual, worthwhile benefits and you might find that one – or all - of them would be really helpful for you.

The UK coastline is famed for its beauty and is known around the world, with dozens of villages and destinations to visit with your boat. Whether sailing on the canals, in the Channel or on Scottish Lakes, we truly have it all. Here are 5 beautiful sailing locations to prioritise visiting! 

Sailing with pets is becoming more and more common these days! If your pets are part of your family, you might feel you can’t leave them behind – and rightly so - but do not fear, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Gaining your own sea legs can be tricky so it is even harder for your four-legged friend, but there is lots you can do to help them feel settled. 

You might remember that last year we celebrated Topsail’s 25 Year anniversary!

Topsail are pleased to announce our Christmas opening hours.

Do you follow us on social media? If so, you will have seen our #Topsail25Facts campaign! 

Have you heard of the Ocean Youth Trust South’s campaign #SailToWellbeing? 

Over the past few weeks on our social media we have been posting some helpful tips and ideas for you to put into practice whilst sailing, which are intended to help the environment and our impact on it whilst sailing. We thought we’d share them here for you as well! 

We are so pleased that Director of Underwriting, Ric De Cristofano, and Director of Operations, Nigel Hawkes, have now been with us for a full year – hasn’t time flown by! 

Topsail are pleased to announce that this year we celebrate 25 years in the insurance industry.

The First virtual RYA Dinghy show was last weekend and it seemed to be a great event enjoyed by all! 

2020 was a difficult year for many. As the New Year sails in, it is time to think about your resolutions for the coming year. 

No one could have imagined the enormous change to our lives and the unprecedented struggles that so many people have suffered following the pandemic this year. Thankfully, all of our team here at Topsail have remained safe and well and we dearly hope that is true for you and your families too.

So, the Christmas season is almost upon us. Whilst this winter may be a little different than usual, given that there will likely be no Christmas parties or large gatherings, it is always fun to shop for others and look for the best gifts out there, either online or on the high street! 

We all know that it is a privilege to be able to sail at leisure and take time to enjoy the beautiful environment, landscape and wildlife. However, that comes at a price – it is also our responsibility to care for the sea and ensure that future generations can also enjoy it in the same way. 

The University of Plymouth has partnered with marine research and exploration charity ProMare and engineering company MSubs to create the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS). 

Many boat owners may be finding that as a direct result of Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown imposed, setting sail is not presently possible. 

Topsail Insurance are pleased to announce the appointment of Ric De Cristofano (left) and Nigel Hawkes (right) as Directors of Underwriting and Operations respectively.

The difficult situation we have all found ourselves in due to the pandemic has been a massive eye-opener for a lot of people and has promoted a sense of community spirit with people coming together to help and support each other through this difficult time. 

More than ever we are becoming aware of the condition of the world and what humans have done to the environment. The upside of this is that we are constantly bringing in new ideas to help us become ‘greener’. 

One out, one in!

Source: Marine Industry News

The Ocean Cleanup has just completed its first mission in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by returning the first batch of ocean plastic to shore. The non-profit organisation is part of a growing demand to develop technologies to rid the world’s ocean of plastic.

by Petrea McCarthy 

In part 1 we saw maintenance of the rig mostly involves checking for existing problems and preventing new ones. The options for maintenance aloft range from a basic inspection to removing each piece of rigging to check its condition and attachment point. If you feel the latter is necessary it’s probably better to pull the stick out and do a thorough check at ground level.

by Petrea McCarthy

A strong, seaworthy rig is a vital part of any cruising boat. But care of the rig is often overlooked, either through ignorance or a conviction that rig maintenance is a mysterious art known only to a select few.

an extract from How to navigate any coastline by Katy Stickland/ / Rachael Sprot

You might remember that back in July, the Jubilee Sailing Trust were working incredibly hard to reach an ambitious fundraising goal of £1,000,000, in order to save the Charity and enable them to continue the incredible work that they do. 

World Sailing’s 2019 Annual Conference ran this year from 26th October to 3rd November and it is safe to say it was another very successful show, with visitors from 68 different nations around the world!  

Where has the year gone? We can scarcely believe that the festive season is upon us again – it’s almost time to start planning the team Christmas party and pick names out of the hat for Secret Santa! Not to mention decorating the office…

Have you heard of the Insurance Museum Initiative (“I’m In”)? 

Experiencing medical emergencies far from home can be extremely stressful and as many of our customers will agree, the importance of having access to professional help by satellite phone is vital.

We are proud to announce that our charity we will be fundraising for this year will be Plastic Oceans. 

The Jubilee Sailing Trust announced on Monday that they are likely to be forced to cease all activities from Friday 5th July, if they cannot raise £1,000,000. 

Following public consultation, Defra has announced the designation of the third tranche of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). All 41 new sites and the addition of new features to 12 existing MCZs proposed during last summer’s consultation are now designated.

This year's British Motor Yacht Show, that took place from 17 - 19 May in Swanwick Marina, has been named by Marine Industry News as the biggest Spring motorboat show in the UK. 

Michael Gove is taking action on plastic pollution by confirming a ban on the supply of plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds after a consultation revealed "overwhelming" public support.

The long running saga of the Greek Cruising Tax, known as the TEPAI, was due for implementation on 2 April 2019 following the first attempt to introduce it in 2014. On Thursday May 9th, the Greek Government finally put the Tax into operation.

New Caledonia is a tropical paradise located East of Australia and West of Vanuatu, whilst being a French Overseas Territory, has its own way of doing things when it comes to visa entry to visitors. 

The French billionaire owner of Plymouth’s Princess Yachts has pledged 200 million euros to help rebuild fire-ravaged Notre Dame cathedral.

From the start of April 2019 at least one carbon monoxide (CO) alarm is now a mandatory requirement on nearly all private and non-private boats for cruising certain waterways in the UK.

Following what was thought to be an April Fools joke earlier in the month, the Cruising Association has confirmed that the Greek government has issued a delay to the cruising tax. 

Beware, under new rules, you are now required to have compulsory travel insurance to visit New Caledonia. 

The Greek Cruising Tax known as TEPAH will be implemented on Tuesday 2nd April 2019. After three years of changes and postponement TEPAH will apply to boat owners of all nationalities to make the first payment.

The Topsail Insurance Australia team is really pleased to announce that they have been nominated for two Insurance Business awards.

The Environment Agency’s new tidal flood defence barrier for Ipswich has been officially opened by Floods Minister, Dr Thérèse Coffey, ensuring more than 1,600 homes and 400 businesses are better protected from flooding and the impacts of climate change over the course of the next century.

Starting a new year is a good time for reflection and the perfect opportunity for the Topsail team to look back on all that had been raised for Company charity, Sail 4 Cancer.

A couple has transformed a 100 year old 140ft boat into an eco-friendly home complete with solar panels, log fires and rain water filters.

The London On-Water Boat Show has been renamed, rebranded and relaunched as London Yacht Show, and will take place at St Katharine Docks this May 8-12 2019.

The Canal & River Trust is carrying out more than £157,000 worth of vital maintenance and repair work to the Caldon Canal in Staffordshire this winter.

Earlier this year the coastguard rescue teams from Stornoway, South Lochs, Bragar, Tarbert and Scalpay along with an HM Coastguard helicopter were all dispatched to a dangerous cliff face on St Kilda in Scotland.

Dozens of charities across the UK will benefit from new equipment to help volunteer search teams save lives more quickly and easily thanks to £1 million of government funding.

It was a unanimous vote when we all came together to decide our Company charity for 2018 and it has been a great year being able to fundraise and promote Sail4Cancer.

As the sailing season comes to an end for some it becomes time for recognition. One particular award that recognises high-performing individuals who deliver sail training to young people at sea, has been awarded to an Ocean Youth Trust South Skipper.

The British Yachting Awards that were presented last night (Tuesday 11 December 2018) were a first for the year as Sailing Today and sister magazine Yachts and Yachting joined forces with presenting partner MUSTO to announce winners from every aspect of the sailing world.

Navy the cat has accompanied sailor Francis Tolan since he set sail from France as part of La Longue Route solo circumnavigation event in June.

Topsail Insurance customer and Ocean Cruising Club (OCC) member Steve Brown has channelled his passion for the seas into organising an effort to help sailors collect, recycle and report plastics removed from oceans and coasts where they cruise.

The River Canal Rescue is calling for boat owners to prepare for winter as Meteorologists are warning that December may bring in some severe weather with an ‘El Nino’ event that may result in widespread snow events and ice storms. 

It has been a busy start as MD of Topsail Insurance for Chris McGowan, Insurance Business UK recently found out more about the man steering the company through some tough times for the market.

Our recent visit to the beach included the whole Topsail UK team on what was one of the hottest days in October.

This weekend the Topsail Team was out and about visiting the Jubilee Sailing Trust and Nimbus Owners Club joining them to celebrate in their milestone anniversaries.

This month the Topsail team is taking part in a local Brighton beach clean raising money for company charity Sail 4 Cancer.

During TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show British Marine paid tribute to its membership at the fifth edition of its British Marine Awards, hosted at a gala dinner sponsored by Dominion Domains.

The 2018 Topsail Insurance charity golf day for Sail 4 Cancer was another successful event on the fairways of East Brighton Golf Course.

The second book in the Tales of Three Ships series is finished! Author, Fiona Jones and illustrator, Hannah Edge will be at the boat show on our stand with both books doing signings. 

Topsail Insurance is pleased to announce that with effect from 1st September 2018 Rob Stevens will be stepping down as the UK Managing Director to head up the Topsail Australia, Sydney office. Current Director, Chris McGowan will be taking over the role of Managing Director of Topsail in the UK.

Dozens of young people who have faced tough personal challenges will get the chance to experience the thrill of sailing this September thanks to TheYachtMarket.com.

Intrepid adventurer and multi-award winning disabled sailor, Natasha Lambert BEM is taking on another sailing challenge. This time Natasha and Miss Isle Too are taking on a transatlantic crossing, which would make her the first person to undertake crossing the Atlantic Ocean by breath control.

In 2017 adventurer, campaigner and speaker Dhruv Boruah cycled 'ON' the mighty river Thames, unsupported on his handmade Bamboo Bike collecting plastic litter to raise awareness about plastic pollution.

Own a Nimbus motorboat and have a Topsail insurance policy? Then you could be in with the chance of winning £200 off your next insurance renewal. 

This September we are exhibiting at TheYachtmarket.com Southapmton Boat Show and we have a special ticket offer for you to come along for a great day out.

After this year's Round the Island Race the RNLI conducted several checks of sailors lifejackets which resulted in some staggering findings.

Avid sailor and Topsail Insurance Account Executive, Charlotte spent the day with MS Amlin at this year's Round the Island yacht race. In her latest blog Charlotte tells us how the race went.

The ever-popular and fourth annual Topsail Charity Golf Day is back and taking place at the 18-hole East Brighton golf course.

This Father's Day the Topsail team spent the day together, on the water, tackling some new sailing skills onboard the stunning Ocean Youth Trust's (OYT) BM ketch.

A brand-new sailing regatta has been launched this week and will run alongside the UK’s biggest Boat Show, from 17 - 19 September.

This year marks the 50th birthday of TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show’s and is set to be the biggest celebration of all things marine. The Show will celebrate the lifestyle, fun and excitement that being on the water has to offer.

The four home nations – Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland – have joined forces to take injured rugby players aboard the tall ship STS Lord Nelson, to participate in an extraordinary sailing experience with the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

We are pleased to announce that we have teamed up with Reid Briggs & Co Ltd to offer a wide range of non-marine related insurance products.

The Topsail Insurance team is always looking for ways to raise awareness and funds for our company chairty, Sail 4 Cancer.

During April, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) ran a special event to test the use of drones in a variety of real- life search and rescue scenarios.

Announced at World Sailing's 2017 Annual Conference in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico the very first World Sailing Offshore World Championship will be held in 2019 and aims to be a powerful platform to accelerate the interest and growth of offshore one-design sailing amongst the sailing community.

Topsail Insurance 2018 company charity, Sail 4 Cancer has launched an exciting range of bags made from recycled sail cloth.

As of the end of March, Yachting Monthly covered the announcement that Entrepreneur Richard Hadida had bought Oyster Yachts and all of its subsidiaries.

Topsail Insurance is really pleased to announce that their chosen company charity for 2018 is to be the specialist respite provider, Sail 4 Cancer, who fund day trips and short breaks for British families affected by cancer.

A cold Tuesday evening in March saw Topsail Insurance MD, Robert Stevens and Operations Manager Laura Clothier attend their first Little Ship Club members club night, albeit as guest speakers.

Fantastic news for the Cruising Association (CA) who have reached the first target of gaining 10,000 signatures for their lobster pot petition to Government.

Over 7 millions tonnes of litter enter our oceans each year. The global movement, 4Ocean is on a mission to stop it and are dedicated to making our seas and coastlines trash free.

We Do Mean To Go To Sea is an exciting new format for a sailing event. The conference takes place over a day and during the day, there will be a series of inspiring keynote lectures and various workshops.

Nearly four months ago two women and their dogs were rescued from their damaged yacht, Sea Nymph by the US Navy after almost 100 days at sea.

Southampton-based boatbuilders, Oyster Yachts has announced this week that it has failed to secure financial support and are unable to continue to trade at this time.

During 2017 Topsail Insurance announced their company charity, chosen with the help of customers, clients and followers, was to be the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST).

After thousands of votes cast by readers of the Yachts & Yachting magazine, the 2018 Yachts & Yachting Awards were presented during the London Boat Show.

Topsail sponsored Hellingly RFC are having a great season so far and along with the Club’s success they are experiencing increased player and participation numbers.

We’re excited to have partnered with yacht management and charter company, diYachting to offer you all an great new competition to win £50 worth of travel insurance for your next sailing holiday.

The Topsail Insurance UK team are making a trip to Germany after Christmas as they will be exhibiting at the Boot Dusseldorf Boat Show from 20 – 28 January 2018.

The Trustees of Sail Aid UK, the organisation that is uniting the UK sailing community in a long-term fundraising drive to help the victims of the Caribbean Islands most severely impacted by the September hurricanes, are overjoyed with the results of their first big fundraising event.

We are kicking off December with an afternoon of festive Christmas treats in the heart of Brighton Marina.

One of our Partners and this year’s Topsail company charity, Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) is delighted to invite you to join their Chairman and CEO for a private viewing of Gladwell & Patterson's Winter Collection. 

One of four new downloadable eBooks, 20 things to consider when choosing a marina was created by Darren Vaux, Director of Empire Marina who has a wealth of marine industry experience and knowledge as Chairman of the Maritime Advisory Council in New South Wales, Director of the Boating Industry Association, founding Chairman of the Boating Industries Alliance Australia and Vice Chair of the Marina Industries Association.