Buying abroad and the RCD??

[Stevie_T]

So, if buying a British flagged and registered vessel in Turkey that was built in the 80's and owned by a British citizen with proof of sale/ VAT paid etc, will I need an RCD cert. or exemption cert or do I not need to bother?

Thanks

 

[dk]

Stevie
No need to bother with RCD if the boat was launched and used anywhere in the EU before 16/6/98.
DK

 

[Stevie_T]

Thanks dk, does that mean I dont need an exemption certificate either?

 

[Viking]

Re: Buying abroad or selling and the RCD??

Is it the boat itself or the type of boat (model)? For example say I have a Maxi 95 built in Sweden in the 80's but never been registed in the EU does it need a certificate if selling it into the UK say??

 

[jamesjermain]

Re: Buying abroad or selling and the RCD??

It's the individual boat, not the model or builder.

Where has your Maxi been all its life? If it was exported from Sweden to, say, Turkey in the 80s then it will have to be made RCD compliant when it comes into the EC. Since a Maxi 95 which has been lying on the HAmble since it was built would be considered compliant automatically, the situation is a bit daft, to say the least.

 

[BrickSailor]

Re: Buying abroad or selling and the RCD??

I seem to be missing something in all the articles and discussions, because I was under the impression that the RCD only applied if you were selling in the EU. So you can buy a boat outside the EU and use it yourself indefinitely, but when you want to get rid of it you either have to CE mark it or sell it outside the EU - the Channel Islands being the obvious place. Or am I missing something fundamental? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Stevie_T]

Re: Buying abroad or selling and the RCD??

This is what the RYA have to say on the matter, sorry its a bit long;

EU Recreational Craft Directive
Importing of a Second-hand Boat into the European Economic Area and Boats Built for Own Use

General
Since 16 June 1998 all recreational craft with few exceptions, between 2.5 metres and 24 metres in length, imported into the EEA for the first time, and home-built boats if placed on the market within five years of completion, must comply with the essential requirements of the RCD and must be CE marked to certify this compliance. The builder, his agent or the person importing the boat is responsible for such compliance and marking.

Application
The European Economic Area (EEA) includes all EU countries plus Iceland and Norway.
Put into service means the first use by the end user but does not include boats temporarily put into service for reasons of tourism or transit.
Placing on the market means the first making available against payment or free of charge.

Boats that will need to comply with the Directive and be CE marked include:-

Boats built outside the EEA which were not put into service in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998.
Boats built for own use if subsequently placed on the EEA market during a period of five years of completion.
Boats that will not need to comply with the Directive include:-


Boats completed or put into service in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998.
Boats built in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998 even if exported and subsequently re-imported after 16 June 1998.
Boats built for own use provided they are not subsequently placed on the EEA market during a period of five years.
Canoes kayaks, gondolas, pedalos, sailing surfboards, powered surfboards and personal watercraft.
Boats designed before 1950, built predominantly of the original materials and labelled as such by the manufacturer, his agent or the importer.
ll boats entering the EEA for reasons of tourism or one in transit.
Should you be in any doubt whatsoever about whether or not your boat needs to comply then contact the RYA. Please consider this carefully as should your boat need to comply and you fall to ensure this you may be subject to three months imprisonment and/or £5,000 fine.

Compliance with the Directive
Should your boat need to comply with the Directive the RYA can help by supplying a "RCD Compliance Pack" which may be used as a guide to correct compliance. To obtain this pack just complete the form below and return this to the RYA Technical Unit together with a fee of £50.00
The RCD Compliance Pack includes:- (please note these documents are subject to update)


A copy of the EU Directive on the Construction of Recreational Craft together with the EU Commission's Comments on the Directive.
A brief explanation of the Directives requirements as they relate to non-CE marked boats imported into the EEA and boats built for own use subsequently required to be CE marked.
The Recreational Craft Sectoral Group (RSG) Guidelines created by the Recreational Craft Sectoral Group, the body recognised by the Commission for carrying out interpretations on the technical content and meaning of the Directive.
Guidance on how to prepare your Technical File.
An application form for a Hull Identification Number (H IN) - issued free of charge to pack purchasers. (normal price £15)
Examples of Owner's Manual.
A number of data form dealing with such items as structure,* stability,* cockpit size and drains, windows etc. each specifically designed by the RYA to assist in determining a boats compliance with the Directive.
Copies of contracts with the RYA which you may like to enter into should you wish the RYA to assist you with your obligations in pursuit of compliance and/or to arrange for a quotation for Notified Body assessment and certification where this is a requirement. The RYA cannot assist with either of these processes unless such a contract exists.
*Technical Documentation
Owners should be aware that one of the RCID requirements concerns structural requirements. This has been interpreted by the RSG to apply to the boat's hull, deck and the attachment of keel, rudder and chain plates and offers three different methods for assessing compliance. In most cases an owner importer/ owner builder will only be able to satisfy these requirements and prepare appropriate parts of the technical file with assistance and documentation from the builder of the hull. It is therefore imperative that every effort is made to contact the builder of the hull and to obtain documentation as to the structure/scantlings of the hull. The same also applies, but to a slightly lesser extent, to information concerning the stability of the boat.
The RYA is here to help you. Should you require a "RCD Compliance Pack" then please complete the application form below and return to the RYA together with a cheque payable to the RYA for £50.00.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please send me an "RCD Compliance Pack". As requested I enclose a cheque payable to the RYA for £50.00.
Please complete in BLOCKED CAPITALS and return to the RYA Technical Unit at
Royal Yachting Association
RYA House Romsey Road
Eastleigh
Hampshire SO50 9YA

 

[Viking]

Re: Buying abroad or selling and the Rather Crap Directive??

I brought the boat in Norway. Say I was (unlikely*) to return to the UK and sell it. If other 'UK based' Maxi's automatically comply why shouldnt a 'Norwegian based' Maxi? The bu**ers are out of the same mold and finished the same??
Then RCD is daft....."to say the least"!
*Perhaps thats why Norway stays out of the full EU and leaves you suckers to put up with this sort of crap!

 

[wishbone]

Re: Buying abroad or selling and the Rather Crap Directive??

As with most EU regs as far as I am concerned it is to keep out non eu imports, as with most eu regs they are applied buy eu menber states as they see fit! depends on the weather! as with most eu regs the uk seem to apply them to the letter and we must as obedient servants know our place while other eu member states apply the regs to their benefit & sod everyone else! I can think of one country that joined just to stop turkey invading.........(well undermine Turkey) but shot themselves in the foot at the same time. If you look back a couple of isues of pbo it outlines how bias the rcd can be........Ok! making sure that a vessle is fit for sailing with all safety gear in its place is one thing but just like the hse and risk assesment it can be a bit OTT! if I filled in all the paperwork each time I did a job I would have to employ someone to do the job while I filled in the paperwork, it's the pc thing gone mad as well...!!!!

 

[jenku]

Re: Buying abroad or selling and the Rather Crap Directive??

I am afraid that as Norway is part of the EES, EU rules apply anyway. As far as I remember the only excemption is fishing and farming. So as far as you don't declare you Maxi being a fishing vessel, EU rules apply.

 

[Sybarite]

I understand that there may also be a VAT problem if the boat has been out of the EU for a certain period of time.

John