BMF (British Marine Federation)
Membership to the MLA is via the BMF of which we are a Group Association.  Entry to the MLA and your local Regional Association of the BMF is included in the annual BMF subscription; giving membership benefits of all 3 organisations including Commercial advice, Export support, Statistics and Research, technical support, Government representation, environmental advice - view Summary of BMF membership benefits.  At present, the BMF membership application administration fee is £50.  Annual BMF membership based on turnover starts at £200 for up to £99,999 turnover.  Subscriptions are calculated as a % of your annual leisure marine turnover with a minium subscription of £200 (before discounts).  All prices quoted are ex VAT.  A second Group Association can be joined at a nominal cost.

 

ADVERTISING
Discounted flexible monthly advertising is available in the boating press under the MLA Training banner in the classified sailing schools section or the MLA Charter/Holidays banner in the classified yacht charter and sailing holiday section. Titles currently available are:- Sailing Today, Practical Boat Owner, Yachting Monthly, Yachting World and Motor Boat & Yachting.  Further opportunities throughout the year are negotiated and offered to members with no commitment.

 

PROMOTIONS
The Association produces its own colour promotional brochure containing general information and a list of current members. This is sent out by the Secretariat in response to general enquiries and used for all promotional events.

 

BOAT SHOWS
The MLA attend various Shows on behalf of its’ members offering advice and information on an impartial basis.  This is a valuable marketing opportunity whether companies are exhibiting themselves or not.  As well as featuring the MLA Training, Charter and Holidays brochure on the MLA Information Stand at the London and Southampton Boat Shows, members are also invited to display their own company brochures for a nominal charge.

 

Members also have the opportunity to take exhibition space at the London Boat Show on the MLA branded combined stand.  This bulk purchase scheme creates a uniformed professional appearance and allows companies to take a smaller exhibition space.

 

REPRESENTATION
The MLA represents its members on various committees including the BMF Council, the BMF Marketing Group, the BMF Government Relations Committee, the RYA Training Committee, the Certifying Authority Standards Committee, the RORC Committee, the Yachtmaster Qualification Panel and monthly informal meetings with the RYA. It also makes representations to Government Departments when necessary.

 

PUBLICATIONS
MLA members have exclusive use of three Charter Agreements; namely Bareboat, Skippered and Management for their business.  These documents have been fully updated to comply with current legislation by an independent, external law firm.  These specially prepared documents are for sole use by MLA members although an adapted version can be purchased by non-MLA members at a cost of £200+VAT per Agreement.

 

PRINCIPALS’ MEETING
The MLA sponsors a Principals’ meeting during the Southampton Boat Show. This is open to both members and non-members. It provides an opportunity to meet and discuss with other principals, points of common interest. It includes input and updates from the RYA, MCA and BMF. In the past an optional evening dinner to round off the day has been organised.

 

JOINT SAILING/SOCIAL VENTURES
For nine years the NFSS (now MLA Training) organised a rally for members and their customers to Guernsey and on the 10th year a 3-day Sea School Regatta was held in Poole. The MLA will continue to source new events which can be organised according to demand.

 

INTERNET
The MLA website offers every member company a free individual listing either on the Training or Holiday/Charter section of the website with the added bonus of direct email and website hotlinks.  This website is informative, easily navigated and has dynamic functionality which benefits members and visitors alike. There is an opportunity for each member company to enhance their individual listing and also take an additional entry, should a company meet the necessary membership criteria, at a nominal charge. 

 

• The MLA Training runs an “in house” scheme with the aim of protecting the consumer’s course in the event of a school ceasing trading, before the course has been taken. It only applies to training courses and no money is refunded. MLA Training tries to arrange for the course to be provided by another member. This is not a legal bonding scheme and must not be used by members as a marketing tool or mentioned in any of their literature.
  
• Discounted Insurance schemes tailored to the need of members, are available through Marine & General Insurance Services including Bonding that meets the requirements of the Package Travel Holiday and Package Tour Regulations 1992 and the Department of Trade and Industry.
  
• Special Credit & Debit Card Rates are available through Barclays Merchant Services.
  
• An Email Newsletter is circulated regularly to keep members up to date with information and special offers e.g. VHF Training Radios, Henri Lloyd clothing, mobile phone accessories, Almanacs, Imray Charts and other teaching aids.
  
• Members have the opportunity to get together socially twice a year, after the AGM held during the London Boat Show and at the MLA Members Meeting in September during the Southampton Boat Show.