Hello Dick, Simon
There is definitely an added challenge for transient vessels. We have also been on the receiving end of this, having been ripped off at an epic scale during the delivery trip from Italy to the UK in 2020 – most notably in the Balearic Islands. If you are unfortunate enough to get stuck there with a problem, they have got you and will “charge you like raging bulls”, as one of the OCC members said.😊 Result was the shoddiest work at the highest price, and everything had to be replaced at the later date.

The situation is marginally better here, on the Solent, but there's still a lot of discontent. The problem seems to be that the demand far exceeds supply and companies don’t have to try very hard to survive. Good companies are fully booked for months ahead and even those guys that are not, are elusive at best – they may come out to meet with you to discuss and take a look, then you never hear from them. If you do eventually get an agreement and hand over a deposit, you will never know when they turn up to do the job. You are often made to feel like an inconvenience, as if the company is doing you a favour (thank you, Sir, for taking my money 😊)

I’m not an expert, but it seems that the automotive industry is better regulated and it’s easier for a customer to seek redress (from my own experience anyway). In the marine industry there doesn’t appear to be any agreed standards, nor is there a regulatory body or organisation who would advise in case of a dispute. If we had the stamina and inclination to take the rigging company to court, the onus would be on us to prove that the product was unfit for purpose or faulty at the time of installation. Without clear industry standards to refer to and specialist knowledge in metallurgy, how would we ever stand a chance? We could get the wire tested to identify the grade of stainless steel used, however, this does not achieve anything unless there is a standard that stipulates that only 316 can be used. We have now found out that 302 and 304 grades are used as well. Given that we had not specified the grade of SS at the time of order and relied on our rigger to make the right choice (we were not presented with any options), then our options for redress are close to nil. There is a clear need for agreed standards and regulations to improve consumer protection. Perhaps organisations like RYA, OCC and CA could collectively promote and lead on that change?
Best wishes
Annely