In November 2016, the European Commission published its study on the Nautical Tourism, with the contributions and support of EBI. End-of-life boats are mentioned as one of the main challenges for the nautical industry which might pose a threat to the environment and a recycling challenge.

The study confirms that the yachts' average lifespan has been estimated at 30 years, although in some instances this may stretch to 40-45 years. This lifespan has further increased over time due to the use of stronger materials, such as fibre reinforced polymer (FRP), 'reinforced plastic'. It is thought that between 1% and 2% of the 6 million boats kept in Europe, in other words at least 80,000 boats, reach their 'end-of-life' each year. However, not all of these are dismantled.

For the full study: Assessment of the impact of business development improvements around nautical tourism

Boat DIGEST

On 23 September 2015, EBI hosted the final Boat DIGEST conference in Brussels, which presented the general overview on the end-of-life boats (ELB) and the main project outcomes. While challenges are still remaining, especially when it comes to financing models of dismantling ELBs, the Boat DIGEST project gave more visibility to the work carried out in Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey and UK (consortium of 9 partners from these countries). As the inititative's main activities have been to identify boat dismantling locations and practices in those countries in order to understand the common problems, accidents and hazards that can be encountered in Europe.

After studying key issues relevant to recreational craft owners related to ELBs and analysing training needs for dismantlers in the past months, Boat DIGEST has come up with four sets of "Guidelines" targeted to marinas, associations, schools, repair and refit companies. The "Guidelines" (available in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Turkish) target various audiences: boaters and nautical associations, marinas and leisure harbours, repair & refit companies, and boating schools. They also offer information on the actions that can be taken by these four groups and the role they play in raising boat owners’ awareness about the issue. They can be freely distributed to all interested parties, as long as they are not modified in their current format.

Boat DIGEST also developed an online and free of charge training course for the professional staff working at waste management facilities and having to treat boats. The training contains four units covering administrative, financial and practical issues. An online test verifies the dismantlers' knowledge and if over 70% of answers are correct, a certificate is issued by University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, Scotland), one of the project partners. Another useful outcome is the dismantling network map which helps identify and locate professional dismantling sites in Europe.

The above-mentioned and other tools, such as an awareness raising module for users, educational videos or posters are all accessible via www.boatdigest.eu. You can also the boat dismantling network map created by the project.

Paris Nautic 2015

On 8 December 2015, the conference “Boat’s end-of-life, truly the end?” was held at the Nautic – Paris International Boat Show - jointly organised by EBI, the French federation FIN and Reed Exposition. The event gathered a large audience made of exhibitors, companies, visitors and public authorities eager to learn more about the current approaches to boat dismantling across the world and discuss how to make this activity viable in the long term.

Watch the video spot.

End-of-life Working Group with the European Commission

EBI and the European Commission Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs (DG MARE) jointly lead a Working Group on end-of-life boats. The aim of the collaboration is to develop an EU roadmap that EU countries can follow to set up their own dismantling systems. It has a wide approach tackling all relevant issues, as well as involving stakeholders and national authorities. Stakeholders currently involved are the European Boating Association (EBA), the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), the European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA) and other associations representing end-users of composites.

The figures

Currently there is no european inventory, therefore the figures are estimation

Fleet characteristics: 7 to 8 meters, made in fiberglass and polyester resin

Average lifespan: 30 to 40 years

Number of end-of-life boats: 80 000 units

Abandoned: 6000 to 9000 units, which means 90% of the boats are not abandoned.

Our calendar displays the events and meetings organised by European Boating Industry and those in which we participate, as well as most of the boat shows organised in Europe.

If you feel we should publish an event you are organising, please send us an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a short description of your event. Thank you.

Our main areas of work include:

• Training & Professional qualifications
• SOLVIT support
• Market surveillance in the EU
• Consumer Rights Directive

Training & Professional qualifications

Training and qualifications in the boating industry are fragmented across Europe. Although many national marine industry associations across the EU have developed their own national training activities, skills and qualifications are not harmonised and often not recognised in other Member States. EBI supports the development of a European curricula for professions within the boating industry (such as boatbuilding jobs, surveyors, brokers, sailing instructors and engine maintenance) would raise the level of professionalism within the industry, attract more young people, and improve the mobility of workers through the better recognition of skills and training. For more information about training courses available in your country, please contact your national association.

Links to our members’ websites can be found on Our members page.

Do you know SOLVIT?

SOLVIT is an EU instrument used to solve cross-border disputes, including professional qualifications acquired in a Member State and which may not be automatically accepted in another Member State. Today, the EU regulates about 700 professions (mainly in the health sector) and the default rule is that EU nationals can freely practise professions that are not regulated, like skipper or diving instructor for instance. The reality and the testimonies made by professionals through years show a much more complex situation and the reluctance in certain cases of EU Member States to accept professional qualifications others than their own. Professionals facing such situations should seek assistance via the SOLVIT desk where individual cases can be submitted.

More about SOLVIT on their page.

Market surveillance in the EU

Market surveillance is conducted by national authorities and guarantees safety, environmental protection and fair competition across Europe. As of 18 January 2016, the new EU directive on watercraft 2013/53/EU applies which further strengthens the market surveillance. A dedicated page was created to provide full information on these important changes. Take a look at our EU RCD Guide available in various languages.

The latest update of EU market surveillance rules was implemented through Regulation 2019/1020 and covers products under the Recreational Craft Directive. The aim is  to improve the free movement of goods by strengthening market surveillance. It provides rules and procedures for economic operators and establishes a system for their cooperation with supervisory authorities, as well as controls on products imported into the EU.

Consumer Rights Directive

The Consumer Rights Directive gives consumers the same rights across the EU. It aligns and harmonises national consumer rules. This includes infiormation that information consumers need to receive before a purchase, their right to cancel online purchases. The directive applies to all contracts concluded between a "consumer" and a "trader". The Directive has been amended by Directive (EU) 2019/2161 of 27 November 2019.