Couple of questions. Depth sounder and radar reflector.

[JayCbee]

Hello getting our boat ready for launch in the local marina in a few weeks. Just ticking off the survey points ahead of that. Suggestion is to get a radar reflector. We have a 16ft microplus 501 explorer. Where is the best place to put that? Also depth sounders. That was only advisory but now I think about it I feel we really need one. Any goodish brands out there for 100 or less that will keep us out of trouble. Thanks

 

[Rocksteadee]

NASA depth, Force 4, cheap and cheerful, especially when it breaks (it will) sensor can be fitted through hull or inside hull (not as accurate)

 

[Kawasaki]

Your radar reflector cab be 'hoisted' on your Cuddy/Cabin roof if there is a suitible 'fixing'/ mast available
One option (and they do work) is a 'collapsible' disc type
Which can be stored 'flat' and assembled very quickly and erected easily, depending on the boat
During good visibilty and if you are in a quiet area or where there is no Commercial Traffic or a reacue vessel is not trying to reach You, there is no 'urgency' for you to have one permanently erected
Like if you are just pootling out of Conwy on a clear day to Puffin island for instance
A depth sounder fish finder though is a different deal
Always good to have
Easy fitment to the Microplus
Powered fom the boats battery, will fit nicely forward by your steering/helm position
The easiest to fit is a transom mounted transducer
Yes, fit one definately

 

[Kawasaki]

Yes as Rocksteadee said a 'Through the Hull' variety is more reliable and accurate usually
You will notice if you walk around Conwy marina etc that a lot of small ribs and day boats have a transducer mounted on the transom
If you were keeping The Microplus long term, yes it would be worth the extra effort etc to fit a 'Through the Hull' depthsounder

 

[JayCbee]

Thanks all just checked out the NASA depth, Force 4 and looks like the option for us. Appreciate the Radar reflector info

 

[BruceK]

..... Appreciate the Radar reflector info

That's not advisory, that is mandatory by law. What kwackers said, the "rain catcher" is the most effective still at a low price point. You only need to hoist it (legally) at night or poor visibility although the recommendation is to have it always up. That being the case avoid the tubular variety (click to link) they apparently are poor. If I was spending money I'd go for an Echomax : Radar Reflectors, target enhancers, Sea-me, Safety bungs & Plugs, Fog Horns | Force 4 Chandlery

 

[Kawasaki]

Collapsible 'tin' one will do fine
'By Law' Bruce means 'SOLAS' check it out

 

[BruceK]

No, I mean by law. The OP is in Conwy right. The HM is rather strict on that fact alongside nav lights.

 

[BruceK]

You should take a walk to Beacons. Look at the by-law plaque. The local fines are absolutely horrendous. IIRC the fine for entering the harbour without functioning nav lights is set to something like 50k.

 

[BruceK]

btw JayCBee was that you in the beige Microplus last Wednesday exploring Conwy river? We hollered as the boat went under the bridges. By we I meant Boatshed and myself. You were looking for a canopy maker.

 

[CLB]

No, I mean by law. The OP is in Conwy right. The HM is rather strict on that fact alongside nav lights.

Can you post a link to these bylaws for those of us far away from nth Wales. I find it hard to believe that boat the size of a micro plus is required, by law, to have a radar reflector when Solas clearly states only 'if practical'

Surely Solas must override any local bylaw that most of us would not know about if coming from outside of the area.

 

[JayCbee]

btw JayCBee was that you in the beige Microplus last Wednesday exploring Conwy river? We hollered as the boat went under the bridges. By we I meant Boatshed and myself. You were looking for a canopy maker.

No not launched as yet. Ours is red!

 

[Refueler]

Can you post a link to these bylaws for those of us far away from nth Wales. I find it hard to believe that boat the size of a micro plus is required, by law, to have a radar reflector when Solas clearly states only 'if practical'

Surely Solas must override any local bylaw that most of us would not know about if coming from outside of the area.

I am really interested to see as well ......

SOLAS is not actually LAW ... but it is guidelines and Specifications that if you suffer 'event' and you are found without - serious consequences can be result.

SOLAS is also used by Flag States to provide basis for Flag State Law ... so a vessel not conforming to SOLAS will not be illegal - but Flag State will refuse Certification and therefore vessel is then in violation if wants to enter any port etc.

I could go on ... but I think you see the point ...

 

[JayCbee]

I will grab one(reflector) as best to have and bring This up whilst on my level 2 rya course next week out of conwy for clarity on law. Thanks all

 

[BruceK]

I'll take a photo next time I am down. It was a real eye opener when I saw it the first time as back then the fines exceeded my boat at that time's value more than 10 fold. As for the radar reflector back in 2015 the club, harbour advisory and Harbour office were stamping down on it and making a brouhaha over reflectors. We do get a lot of mist in the early season. If the OP or anybody else wishes to challenge it fair enough. The HM told me what I posted above and what's true for me will be true for the OP. Pay your money take your chances.

I am really interested to see as well ......

SOLAS is not actually LAW ... but it is guidelines and Specifications that if you suffer 'event' and you are found without - serious consequences can be result.

SOLAS is also used by Flag States to provide basis for Flag State Law ... so a vessel not conforming to SOLAS will not be illegal - but Flag State will refuse Certification and therefore vessel is then in violation if wants to enter any port etc.

I could go on ... but I think you see the point ...

 

[CLB]

I'll take a photo next time I am down. It was a real eye opener when I saw it the first time as back then the fines exceeded my boat at that time's value more than 10 fold. As for the radar reflector back in 2015 the club, harbour advisory and Harbour office were stamping down on it and making a brouhaha over reflectors. We do get a lot of mist in the early season. If the OP or anybody else wishes to challenge it fair enough. The HM told me what I posted above and what's true for me will be true for the OP. Pay your money take your chances.

I have looked online everywhere I can, reading all manner of Conway websites relating to boating etc. Can't find anything about this at all. I would be very interested in seeing said document, or photo of it. I cannot see how an individual harbour authority could implement into law a rule that, AFAIK, no other harbour authority in the UK has.

This page would seem like the right place to mention it:
Safety on Boats and Waterways

 

[Refueler]

I know harbour Masters can have Bye Laws enacted once representation has been made to relevant local authority - but if I remember rightly from a 'fiasco' that went on in a South Coast harbour .. I shall refrain from naming it as the people were humiliated' ..... the offences and penalties were seriously limited by National law - such that anything of real consequence needed Police .... (the offence that started the fiasco was all to do with HM's being asked to 'police' drunk boat skippers ... some 'down souf' might remember it !!)

 

[BruceK]

I have looked online everywhere I can, reading all manner of Conway websites relating to boating etc. Can't find anything about this at all. I would be very interested in seeing said document, or photo of it. I cannot see how an individual harbour authority could implement into law a rule that, AFAIK, no other harbour authority in the UK has.

This page would seem like the right place to mention it:
Safety on Boats and Waterways

I already said I will. Do you believe I am lying on both accounts ?

Im guessing here but you'll probably find your answer here

Regulation 19 para.2.1.7 requires radar reflectors to be carried, where practicable, by ships under 150 GT. For UK-flagged this includes pleasure vessels.


And from your own search into Conwy pages



Safe navigation

The International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea (‘Colregs’) apply to all vessels navigating in the approach channel. These regulations are not a code of practice but are part of British law, in which there are substantial penalties for their infringement.

Now if you can just hang on to that until I go out of my way to Beacons this weekend to get you your picture

 

[CLB]

I already said I will. Do you believe I am lying on both accounts ?

Im guessing here but you'll probably find your answer here

Regulation 19 para.2.1.7 requires radar reflectors to be carried, where practicable, by ships under 150 GT. For UK-flagged this includes pleasure vessels.


And from your own search into Conwy pages



Safe navigation

The International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea (‘Colregs’) apply to all vessels navigating in the approach channel. These regulations are not a code of practice but are part of British law, in which there are substantial penalties for their infringement.

Now if you can just hang on to that until I go out of my way to Beacons this weekend to get you your picture

IRPCS do not demand a radar reflector and Solas only says where practicable, as I mentioned in post #11

There is nothing here that could result in a leisure skipper being fined for not carrying one, it is not law under these regulations. No I am not calling you a liar, but I am very interested if a harbour authority or harbour master can decide to implement a law on their own. That effectively means every harbour in the UK could end up with different laws. Some may demand a lifejacket is worn, for example. How would a skipper, who is aware of IRPCS and Solas, have any chance of knowing what laws they might be breaking when they visit new harbours?

 

[BruceK]

Mmm. Well this is awkward. Took a drive down tonight to settle this once and for all and my plaque of by-laws has been removed and in its place a memorial plaque to the Mulberry that were built here. Now the by-laws are on the sign to the left and just site colregs and other local laws. So it would appear I am a liar unless I can find other older collaborating evidence circa 2015 when I used to launch my tender from here