BSS Petrol Tank Basket thingy

[Guest]

Flippin' BSS exam is looming and I'm running out of time/patience trying to get my petrol tank sorted.
Latest suggestion is an unsightly basket hanging off the stern that houses an external tank. Don't like the idea but two obvious advantages are a) take the tank to the petrol station to fill 'er up b) easier/cheaper than a custom built jobbie under a berth.

A chap in the next mooring says his company could make one but needs to know if there are any BSS regs to comply with. Anyone know of any?

Alternatively anyone know of a ready-made basket on the market that would do the job?

 

[Guest]

The BSS is not absolutely specific on the matter of wher a portable tank (presuming an outboard motor) may be installed when in use, but does specify that the tank should be stowed in accordance with standards 7.2. and 7.3, i.e. as for a gas bottle, when not in use. It is permissible on an existring boat to stow the cylinder / tank on the transom, although not recommended. If stowed in this way then the cylinder / tank should be suitably protected from potential collision damage.

Suggest you check the exact interpretation with your chosen surveyor / examiner.

 

[byron]

Take the tank off, have the boat tested, put it back on afterwards. Inspector cannot make a comment on something that isn't there.

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[DepSol]

Tpical Greek Captain!

 

[byron]

Ghamissou Malaccas ;-)

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[BarryH]

Does that go for fixed tanks as well, thats what my Tremlett will fail on, and I want to use it on the Thames, so you can all see what a "real" boat looks like.

I physically cant alter the structure of the boat to accomodate the requirements!

Regards BarryH 8=)

 

[paulineb]

Before the Safety guy comes to check your boat, tape your toilet closed with gaffer tape or something and borrow a portapotty to put on board.

Pxx

 

[Guest]

I am in Athens now, my Greek colleague says its spelled GAMISOU, MALACAS. Either way it's very rude. ;-)

 

[BarryH]

Nope you get too much blow back......opps! sorry wrong BB

 

[paulineb]

DOH !!! You untape it when he's gone.

Pxx

 

[byron]

Barry as an Inspector said to me, "I can't inspect something that ain't there." In your case you can have a month's visitors licence without any of this nonsense anyway.

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[byron]

Bogs were dropped from the Inspector's remit when they moved the goal posts last time. Problem seemed to be they couldn't force Ducks, Geese, Swans and Coots to carry a PortaPotti.
You should however be using a portapotti or holding tank nevertheless

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<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by byron on Tue Jan 22 19:46:14 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[BarryH]

Did'nt think they done the visitors licenece any more. Well thats an avenue well worth looking at, do they still do them at teddington lock or do i Have to send of to Reading for it.

Makes a mockery of the inspection though. I could take out the fuel, electrical, and engine systems. Take all the doors of for "proper" ventilation, leave the outdrive leg on and get a Pass, somehow i think my boat would still fail, probably the wrong colour and size of name decal or something.

Regards BarryH

 

[byron]

I spell it as it is pronounced, Greek doesn't translate too well into English in terms of spelling. Next time you see an nice Greek Policeman (Astanomia) point at him,smile sweetly and say "Pesaviki"


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[byron]

The whole BSS is a mockery and has driven literally hundreds of vessels from the Thames. But yes, you can have a month's visitors licence without suffering the nonsense and nit picking. I don't know how you obtain these, they do have a website maybe someone here has the web address.

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[boatone]

Yep, visitors licences still available and can be purchased either direct from Reading or at the first lock after entering EA authority which means Teddington if coming from the tideway. Only allowed one 30 day licence a year though.
seems a long way round from Tadworth though.............

TonyR
boatone@boatsontheweb.com

 

[Guest]

I guess the thread is already hijacked but can you explain 'pesaviki'. The Greek guys here don't recognise the word and are very intrigued.

 

[boatone]

Re: Bogs on Boats and BSS

I think I'm right in saying that the requirement for sealing a sea toilet on the non-tidal thames is an Environment Agency requirement rather than a BSS issue and the sealing should be carried out or verified by the EA staff at the lock of entry onto the waterway. I do hope various people here who've advocated taking the sealing off again - and thereby inferring ok to use if you can get away with it - are only joking as improved cleanliness of the Thames is something we should all be grateful for.
Personally, as I'm permanently based on the river, I've opted to remove the sea toilet from my boat and replaced it with a PortaPotti. Theyre only £70 or so and with pump outs costing at least £5 a time and the cost of fitting holding tanks running into the high hundreds of pounds it seemed to me like the most sensible solution.
Sorry if this sounds a bit boring but I do believe its a serious issue........I'd like to see it extended to coastal areas as well to be frank.

TonyR
boatone@boatsontheweb.com

 

[tcm]

Re: Bogs, Boats, water purity

Teensy bit boring. BUT important. At sea, all sorts of regs proposed re holding tanks yes/no, yet no reg at all governing just having a wee over the side. No sign of action or discussion yet in western med, for example, which doesn't have the convenient waste drain of the northern north sea to flush all the crap away.

Oh, and v slight bit of relevant thread drift: water purity often quoted as "parts per million" needs putting into context. toxins at less than 1 part per million sounds dead good, no? But this no good at all imho: toxicity of 1 part per million means get a tank 1 metre cubed (=100cm cubed, therefore 1million cu cm) ...fill with nice water and then add a 1cubic centimetre lump of erm well, dog do or whatever. Not too good really. Should be "parts per billion"?

 

[byron]

Re: Bogs on Boats and BSS

Not boring Tony, good points and well made. As you say Pooper control is an EA matter and not a BSS matter.
I agree on the PortaPotti being better than a holding tank. I have noted that boats with holding tank always have a peculiar smell about them. PortaPotties can be bought a hell of a lot cheaper than £70 at Caravan shops and I have even seen them on sale at Makro for as low as £35.

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