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

The latest list of all RYA committee members can be viewed in related links above.

The Chairmen of departmental committees sit on RYA Council as Ex Officio members (ie, by virtue of their committee position).

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

The main function of the departmental 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 the relevant departmental manager also 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 (eg, a decision with important financial implications may require endorsement by the Central finance Committee).

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 departmental committees. Please note that the responsibilities shown against the main departmental committees are for general guidance only and are not intended to be definitive.

Operations Committee (OC)
Responsible for general policy and administration including personnel.

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

Central Finance Committee (CFC)
Responsible for the RYA s finances and financial policy including subscriptions. Also responsible for administrative and general functions including membership services, IT, stock and despatch.

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

Constitution Committee
Advises RYA Council on the terms of reference and constitution of the RYA, Council and RYA committees.

Certifying Authority Committee
Formally required under the MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) s 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:
Racing Review Board; International Group; Racing Rules; Race Coaching/Training; Handicap Group; Judging and Umpiring; Race Management; Match Racing; Offshore Racing; Team Racing; Single/Short-Han Sailing; Olympic Steering Group; Paralympic Steering Group; Youth Steering Group; Portsmouth Yardstick Advisory Group; RYA & RORC Sportsboat Rule Management 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, eg coding, recreational craft directive, boat safety scheme.

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.

If you require the current list of Committee members, please see Related links at the top of this page.