What regulations?

[Guest]

I often read articles or letters in sailing magazines which suggest sailors may be fined for not having the necessary safety equipment, such as flares, lifejackets etc. There's such a letter in this month's PBo or YM (can't remember which).

Where are these regulations? I have NEVER read any official publication, almanac or such which states there is a minimum equipment level required by law.

As far as I can see, you may go on a boat with just a hull and an oar, if that's what you want to do, just so long as it's not for charter. Am I wrong?

Humperdinck

Email: HJ@Seacracker.org
Website: www.seacracker.org

 

[ParaHandy]

Some good bedtime reading for you......Lifesaving Saving Appliance Regulations...and have a look at
http://www.mcagency.org.uk/news/releases/112-02.htm
It's all a matter of length, apparently

 

[WayneS]

isn't that only commercial or charter boats?

 

[kimhollamby]

Correct. I haven't got references to hand where I am working here, but there's something on firefighting too for boats over a certain size. Also look at col regs re: bells and the like!

[now found references - see post below]

kim_hollamby@ipcmedia.com<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by kimhollamby on Thu May 16 17:46:30 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[AndrewB]

A matter of length?

The Lifesaving Appliance Regulations of 1999 & 2000 which the MCA seem to have used for this prosecution were primarily designed for merchant shipping. The smallest category to which they apply are "vessels under 37m LOA". If yachts are obliged to comply, we are going to have to fit all manner of things, for example davits for launching the lifeboats!

Now MCA have successfully created the legal precedent, a whole raft of freedoms British yachtsmen have previously enjoyed, have abruptly been removed. Kim - YM really should follow up on this.

 

[Guest]

some more bunkside reading:
www.mcagency.org.uk/news/prosecutions has the story of a 15m motor cruiser MANDATOR which rammed a braekwater near Portland. Among the offences were out of date flares becasue it was a large motor yacht. I believe that 15m is the magic figure - it used to be 45 feet in old money. Below that, unless you are "coded" for commercial use, you don't have to worry.

 

[kimhollamby]

Regs apply over 13.7m

I agree if they have changed the rules but I am away from the office and don't have much in the way of info sources to hand. There are certain rules that have always applied above a certain length certainly a lot shorter than 37m - 13.7m/45ft is the benchmark.

Regs that apply are Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules and Merchant Shipping (Fire Appliances) Rules. I suspect not much attention has been paid to them because boat size has steadily increased to the point where many more are above the 13.7m mark where these apply.

Incidentally, col regs says boats of 12m-20m should carry a bell with a minimum mouth of 200mm.

As for the YM follow-up I'm sure Dick Durham will be quick to look at this if there is an attempt to change things or even a new precendent. He checks in here regularly but I'll flag it up to him as well. But I think the boat in question was around 15m loa, so it was always up for scrutiny.

kim_hollamby@ipcmedia.com<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by kimhollamby on Thu May 16 17:43:00 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Guest]

Here\'s the text (from PBO June 02)

PBO June 2002 Letter of the Month

Ref. the Dawlish Harbour Commissioners

"One of the Commissioners even suggested fines for those not carrying first aid boxes, life jackets, flares and other safety equipment"

This following a weekend of fining boaters for speeding, failure to show motoring cones and failure to show anchor balls - apparently these were on the spot fines too.

So, if you are caught in such a situation do you have to respect a patrolman engaged by "Harbour Commissioners" (whoever they are), can you suggest he put his fine where the Sun doesn't shine, and just generally ignore him? What might the consequences be?

Humperdinck

Email: HJ@Seacracker.org
Website: www.seacracker.org

 

[Miker]

Re: Byelaws?

My local marina, Fleetwood, has a section on rules in its handbook. It quotes the Fleetwood Harbour and Docks Byelaws 1982 and the Harbours Docks and Pier Clauses Act 1847 (all sections in general and Section 52 and 73 in particular); and also Section 50 of the British Transport Docks Act 1966. Perhaps I should read them.

 

[kimhollamby]

Re: Here\'s the text (from PBO June 02)

Time to ask for a copy of the local byelaws I suspect.

kim_hollamby@ipcmedia.com

 

[NigeCh]

Sometimes over 12m too

See:

http://www.mcagency.org.uk/publications/si/index.htm

for a complete list of all unknown nasties.

 

[Guest]

Re:ORC Special Regulations v. MCA

Who takes precedence the ORC or MCA ?

I have fitted out 3 boats to the Special Regulations. Though a pain at the time all the requirements are good and seamanlike.

If faced with major difficulties I would rather be on the whizziest race boat rather than the clonky " good seaboat" cruiser. Safe in the knowledge that the emergency equipment required by the regulations will be onboard. Remember the emerency equipment may be all that is standing between you and the chap upstairs!