Rib Rendezvous 2026

UPDATE – As at 15th March 2026

Please note: the information below supersedes all previous participant updates.

It’s been a busy few months behind the scenes as plans have been coming together for this year’s RIB Rendezvous. A huge amount of preparation has been quietly taking place and we’re now ready to begin sharing the first wave of key information with our registered skippers.

We now have 250 boats and close to 1000 crew registered.

That’s some turnout — and we genuinely believe this may be the world’s biggest on-sea RIB gathering.

We’d also like to take a moment to acknowledge Tony and Jess Hill of Seafari, who originally brought the idea of RIB Rendezvous to life. Without their early vision and enthusiasm this gathering simply wouldn’t exist. It’s fantastic to welcome them back this year as participants.

Alongside them, Douglas Curley, who for many years quietly and efficiently helped ensure previous gatherings ran smoothly for everyone involved. Douglas may be temporarily boat-less (surely not for long!) but it’s great to see him signed up again this year and playing an important role within the volunteer team.

Huge thanks go to the founders and early drivers of the muster — we are very much standing on solid shoulders.

Rib Rendezvous is a voluntary cruising-in-company gathering.

Participation is at each skipper’s own risk and responsibility at all times.

Rib Rendezvous does not direct or control vessel navigation or operation.

RIB Rendezvous is a voluntary cruising-in-company gathering.

Participation is at each skipper’s own risk and responsibility at all times.

RIB Rendezvous does not direct or control vessel navigation or operation.

Full briefing information will follow before you know it, but here are the important headlines so everyone knows where they stand.

  • RIB Rendezvous is a voluntary cruising-in-company muster for private skippers.

  • It is not a managed marine event.

  • Each skipper remains fully responsible for the navigation, safety and operation of their own vessel at all times.

  • Travelling in company does not transfer responsibility.

  • Following another vessel does not transfer responsibility.

  • Advice does not transfer responsibility.

  • COLREG Rule 2 always applies.

  • Sponsors support the muster socially, but they do not direct, manage or assume liability for participating vessels.

  • With numbers like this, awareness matters. At 20 knots it will take the fleet approximately 12 minutes to pass a fixed point — so everyone needs to be wide awake.

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MANDATORY SKIPPER'S BRIEFING – SATURDAY 2ND MAY

09:45 AT KERRERA

PLEASE TIE UP BY 09:15 at the latest

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If the skipper is not at the briefing, the boat cannot take part.  It’s as simple as that. With a fleet this size, we all need to start from the same place with the same information.

Skipper declaration

All skippers will be required to sign a participation declaration at the briefing desk.  No signed declaration = no RIB Rendezvous pennant. No pennant = not included in the muster. If you cannot sign it, please do not attend. 

Competence & preparation

All skippers are expected to hold RYA Powerboat Level 2 or equivalent experience.  

All boats must be seaworthy, properly maintained, and insured, and must carry:

  • Fully operational independent navigation

  • Working VHF radio

  • Working life jackets for all crew

  • Appropriate safety equipment for coastal operation

  • Boats should be prepared to travel up to 130 nm on Saturday

  • No boat should rely on another vessel for navigation

  • Final suggested passage(s) decision will be taken at 09:30 on Saturday morning and announced at the briefing

Photography

We will have professional photography operating within the fleet throughout the day. Rain or shine, wind or spray, helmet hair or salt face — we’re going to make you look heroic.

By participating in RIB Rendezvous, you grant permission to be photographed. Images may be used by RIB Rendezvous and its sponsors for promotional purposes.

Saturday Evening on Kerrera

In the evening on Kerrera we’ve switched things up a little. Rather than a standard BBQ format, we’ll be putting on a 'taste of the sea' with a Caledonian Oyster Company tent and a tasty Kerrera bite. Oban Distillery will be offering a wee welcome dram on arrival too.  These are just that - tasters - and when they’re gone, they’re gone.

There will be food festival station options running alongside, and a band to round things off properly.  Food stations and bars are CASH only!

We’ll be running a photography competition, with prizes awarded in the evening, and holding an RNLI charity auction with some amazing lots up for grabs.

If you know you are definitely not coming back to Kerrera for the evening gathering, please let us know so we can plan catering numbers sensibly.

Kerrera Marina knows that all the boats will be attending the Skippers Briefing and staff and volunteers will be on hand to guide you into the pontoons.  If you are planning on berthing the Friday night and or the Saturday night, please let us know and we will inform Kerrera (there will be a small charge for overnight berthing).  

There will be a passenger ferry running from Kerrera Marina - the North Pier, Oban and back over the course of the evening - timetable to follow.  

It’s shaping up to be a cracking day and a great night - we just need everyone switched on, prepared and clear about responsibility.

We genuinely can’t wait to welcome you all.

As in previous years, informal small cruises can be instigated using the WhatsApp group which will be open to all from the Friday morning for some shakedown cruises and exploring the area. Those new to area, just ask the organisers or regulars for tips and advice etc   . We advise everyone to join the WhatsApp group. It’s an extra layer of comms for general info and safety. Email will be used, but clearly patchy signals. VHF (channel TBC) will be used, but again that’s not ideal if you’re out of range, or ashore with no hand held VHF etc.   Link to join https://chat.whatsapp.com/JQTL8not20cJ2LbYlTk9GP

For some the Bank holiday Monday is another boating opportunity, last year a few of us had a great afternoon at Balfours bay on the Ross of Mull. One nutter even went solo to Ballycastle for a Guinness.. mentioning no names.