wearesailing2
Well-Known Member
Compleate rip off, if you have no gas elec or bog £100 to lok at a fire ex is too much. No wonder people are not going on the thames
BSS
- Thread starter bendyone
- Start date
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
They are going on the Thames though!
The BSS lasts four years, the cost is totally insignificant when you consider Fuel, Moorings etc.
The BSS lasts four years, the cost is totally insignificant when you consider Fuel, Moorings etc.
maxi77
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
They are going on the Thames though!
The BSS lasts four years, the cost is totally insignificant when you consider Fuel, Moorings etc.
[/ QUOTE ]
It is not a matter of the cost in proportion to other costs, rather whether the cost replects the work done, sound in this case as if it doesn't
They are going on the Thames though!
The BSS lasts four years, the cost is totally insignificant when you consider Fuel, Moorings etc.
[/ QUOTE ]
It is not a matter of the cost in proportion to other costs, rather whether the cost replects the work done, sound in this case as if it doesn't
boatone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
It is not a matter of the cost in proportion to other costs, rather whether the cost replects the work done, sound in this case as if it doesn't
[/ QUOTE ]
Isn't that the problem with posts on this sort of "rip off" topic?
We dont know very much about the job at all really. How far did the examiner have to travel? We know little about the boat so the OP's description of work needed is being taken at face value. If he did indeed get the jobe done for £100 thats about 1.5 hours labour at the average car servicing shop these days and its certainly sigificantly less than prices being quoted for a full BSS survey on a mid sized cruiser. £28.20 of that will be paid to the BSS Office by the examiner to cover the certificate itself and associated paperwork.
It is not a matter of the cost in proportion to other costs, rather whether the cost replects the work done, sound in this case as if it doesn't
[/ QUOTE ]
Isn't that the problem with posts on this sort of "rip off" topic?
We dont know very much about the job at all really. How far did the examiner have to travel? We know little about the boat so the OP's description of work needed is being taken at face value. If he did indeed get the jobe done for £100 thats about 1.5 hours labour at the average car servicing shop these days and its certainly sigificantly less than prices being quoted for a full BSS survey on a mid sized cruiser. £28.20 of that will be paid to the BSS Office by the examiner to cover the certificate itself and associated paperwork.
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
Anybody know a good inspector in the Wallingford, Henley area?
Brayman
Well-Known Member
I'm sure you could do it yourself, Chris!
apollo
...
If anyone knows a BSS Tester who likes to pass "no questions asked", send me a PM cos I will need a new one soon?
bendyone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It is not a matter of the cost in proportion to other costs, rather whether the cost replects the work done, sound in this case as if it doesn't
[/ QUOTE ]
Isn't that the problem with posts on this sort of "rip off" topic?
We dont know very much about the job at all really. How far did the examiner have to travel? We know little about the boat so the OP's description of work needed is being taken at face value. If he did indeed get the jobe done for £100 thats about 1.5 hours labour at the average car servicing shop these days and its certainly sigificantly less than prices being quoted for a full BSS survey on a mid sized cruiser. £28.20 of that will be paid to the BSS Office by the examiner to cover the certificate itself and associated paperwork.
[/ QUOTE ]
This is the boat
No gas, electric, toilet or water. Just an 7.5hp outboard and 1 fire ex to check. Time about 10 minutes Plus filling in the form and sending it to me. 25 mile round trip to visit. Cost £103
I'm not saying it's bad value for his time (everyone has to make a living) more is it really necessary for such a small boat.
[ QUOTE ]
It is not a matter of the cost in proportion to other costs, rather whether the cost replects the work done, sound in this case as if it doesn't
[/ QUOTE ]
Isn't that the problem with posts on this sort of "rip off" topic?
We dont know very much about the job at all really. How far did the examiner have to travel? We know little about the boat so the OP's description of work needed is being taken at face value. If he did indeed get the jobe done for £100 thats about 1.5 hours labour at the average car servicing shop these days and its certainly sigificantly less than prices being quoted for a full BSS survey on a mid sized cruiser. £28.20 of that will be paid to the BSS Office by the examiner to cover the certificate itself and associated paperwork.
[/ QUOTE ]
This is the boat
No gas, electric, toilet or water. Just an 7.5hp outboard and 1 fire ex to check. Time about 10 minutes Plus filling in the form and sending it to me. 25 mile round trip to visit. Cost £103
I'm not saying it's bad value for his time (everyone has to make a living) more is it really necessary for such a small boat.
Steve Clayton
Well-Known Member
Whereisit???
Port Meadow?
Port Meadow?
Dave_Seager
Well-Known Member
If you only have one fire extinguisher the examiner should not have issued a certificate to you as the minimum requirement is two. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Of course, the examiner does also have to check that you do not have any of the items that are covered by the BSS even if he does not need to check that they comply.
Of course, the examiner does also have to check that you do not have any of the items that are covered by the BSS even if he does not need to check that they comply.
Steve Clayton
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
If you only have one fire extinguisher the examiner should not have issued a certificate to you as the minimum requirement is two. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
BSS states: The minimum number of extinguishers may be reduced by a maximum of one 5A/34B rated extinguisher where the vessel has either no internal combustion engines, or no fuel-burning appliances - so Bendy is compliant.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
If you only have one fire extinguisher the examiner should not have issued a certificate to you as the minimum requirement is two. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
[/ QUOTE ]
BSS states: The minimum number of extinguishers may be reduced by a maximum of one 5A/34B rated extinguisher where the vessel has either no internal combustion engines, or no fuel-burning appliances - so Bendy is compliant.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
justapheonix
Well-Known Member
The BSS is an awful load of bulls**t and the boat-owning community have done themselves no good by failing to protest against it strongly enough.
Bear in mind that neither the Royal Navy nor the RNLI possess a sea-going vessel capable of passing the test, and you know what I mean. In putting boats through the daft test in the past, I have had to make them less seaworthy than they were!
Great for trying to keep the worst ditch-crawlers in check, completely irrelevant nonsense for cruisers, and administered by idiots.
Bear in mind that neither the Royal Navy nor the RNLI possess a sea-going vessel capable of passing the test, and you know what I mean. In putting boats through the daft test in the past, I have had to make them less seaworthy than they were!
Great for trying to keep the worst ditch-crawlers in check, completely irrelevant nonsense for cruisers, and administered by idiots.
bendyone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Whereisit???
Port Meadow?
[/ QUOTE ]
You got it in one, have a /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Whereisit???
Port Meadow?
[/ QUOTE ]
You got it in one, have a /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
boatone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I feel I am a voice in the wilderness when I say the BSS is a totally meaningless bit of bureaucracy that has done sweet F.A. other than drive boats off the river.
[/ QUOTE ]
I do sympathise with your views Byron, although I happen to think that something that ensures all boats on the Thames meet certain minimum safety standards is highly desirable.
The BSS is, in a way, independant of the EA and BW, although, as I understand it they initially created the beast and shared the costs between them. They have now stepped back from that and the BSS has to reach self funding status, although the EA and BW continue to underwrite any losses for the time being.
The scheme now survives because the EA and BW require all boats on their waterways to have a BSS certificate before they will grant a licence. So, the scheme will not go away.
What now matters is the extent of the scheme re its requirements and the cost of obtaining a certificate.
I have spoken at length to one of the people at the BSS Office and was left with the impression that they understand the initial frustrations and are intent in doing everything possible to run an effective and efficient operation.
I was told that they issued around 11,000 certificates last year and only received about 20 complaints.
I think it is essential that anyone having a direct complaint about any aspect of the scheme actually contacts the BSS Office and lets them know. 20 complaints seems extremely low in relation to the number of licences issued.
However, there seems little point in moaning about something just because we dont like it.
I feel I am a voice in the wilderness when I say the BSS is a totally meaningless bit of bureaucracy that has done sweet F.A. other than drive boats off the river.
[/ QUOTE ]
I do sympathise with your views Byron, although I happen to think that something that ensures all boats on the Thames meet certain minimum safety standards is highly desirable.
The BSS is, in a way, independant of the EA and BW, although, as I understand it they initially created the beast and shared the costs between them. They have now stepped back from that and the BSS has to reach self funding status, although the EA and BW continue to underwrite any losses for the time being.
The scheme now survives because the EA and BW require all boats on their waterways to have a BSS certificate before they will grant a licence. So, the scheme will not go away.
What now matters is the extent of the scheme re its requirements and the cost of obtaining a certificate.
I have spoken at length to one of the people at the BSS Office and was left with the impression that they understand the initial frustrations and are intent in doing everything possible to run an effective and efficient operation.
I was told that they issued around 11,000 certificates last year and only received about 20 complaints.
I think it is essential that anyone having a direct complaint about any aspect of the scheme actually contacts the BSS Office and lets them know. 20 complaints seems extremely low in relation to the number of licences issued.
However, there seems little point in moaning about something just because we dont like it.
Madhatter
Well-Known Member
CONFUSING AIN'T IT
"The full set of Boat Safety Scheme requirements apply to all boats based on all British Waterways managed navigations and most Environment Agency waters, with the exception of privately-owned boats used solely for recreational purposes. A navigation licence will be issued to these types of boats that only comply with the Mandatory requirements of the Scheme
Put together, the Mandatory and Advisory Check List items become the BSS Standards that are applied to most private boats on the inland waterways. Mandatory Check List items are those which most private boats must comply with in order to gain a licence for navigation. Advisory Check List items are examples of sound safety advice. British Waterways and the Environment Agency consider that not meeting the advisory Check List items should not prevent a licence from being granted, but strongly recommend that these measures are taken to improve your own personal safety and the safety of those around you."
"The full set of Boat Safety Scheme requirements apply to all boats based on all British Waterways managed navigations and most Environment Agency waters, with the exception of privately-owned boats used solely for recreational purposes. A navigation licence will be issued to these types of boats that only comply with the Mandatory requirements of the Scheme
Put together, the Mandatory and Advisory Check List items become the BSS Standards that are applied to most private boats on the inland waterways. Mandatory Check List items are those which most private boats must comply with in order to gain a licence for navigation. Advisory Check List items are examples of sound safety advice. British Waterways and the Environment Agency consider that not meeting the advisory Check List items should not prevent a licence from being granted, but strongly recommend that these measures are taken to improve your own personal safety and the safety of those around you."
mlines
Well-Known Member
The only issue with a Bilge Blower are the "Know-it alls" that tell you "Oi!, switch your engine off in Locks!" - I had this on virtually every trip out this year.
Chris_d
Well-Known Member
The only issue with a Bilge Blower are the "Know-it alls" that tell you "Oi!, switch your engine off in Locks!" - I had this on virtually every trip out this year.
A bilge blower is only supposed to be run for a couple of minutes before starting the engine and before refueling to clear the bilge, I've never heard of one being run continously.
byron
RIP
True but there's nowt wrong with leaving one on all the time. It ensures a cool flow of air over the engine and eliminates bilge odours as well as being a safety issue. Anyway Steve Poos direct into his bilge and the smell would be unbearable if he didn't
mlines
Well-Known Member
Chris,
I can only go by the advice in the manual for my boat....
Now as the cruising speed for my boat is 20 knots I am not sure this speed would be appreciated on the Thames ("Honest Guv, I was doing 20 knots to stop my boat exploding")
So whilst I don't go to the extreme of having it running all the time, I do run it when I have been hanging around locks with very low speed handling/waiting/stop-start action. I should also point out that I have an Inboard Petrol engine which is relevant to the conversation (and its an American boat/user manual so it errs on the side of caution)
Martin
I can only go by the advice in the manual for my boat....
Now as the cruising speed for my boat is 20 knots I am not sure this speed would be appreciated on the Thames ("Honest Guv, I was doing 20 knots to stop my boat exploding")
So whilst I don't go to the extreme of having it running all the time, I do run it when I have been hanging around locks with very low speed handling/waiting/stop-start action. I should also point out that I have an Inboard Petrol engine which is relevant to the conversation (and its an American boat/user manual so it errs on the side of caution)
Martin
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Chris_d
Well-Known Member
True but there's nowt wrong with leaving one on all the time. It ensures a cool flow of air over the engine and eliminates bilge odours as well as being a safety issue. Anyway Steve Poos direct into his bilge and the smell would be unbearable if he didn't
Thats a bit unfair on any small boat next to the outlet!
I suppose you can leave blowers running continously but I personnely don't like having anything on if its not actualy required.
