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All
new boats built in
Europe
since 1998 must
comply to the RCD (Recreational Craft Directive). Within this directive
are 4 design categories. A, B, C and D.
The
lowest cost barges, designed for predominantly canal use in the
UK
will likely be
category 'D'. Most new built Replica Dutch barges are built to RCD Cat
'C' which is deemed suitable for wind speeds up to force 6 and
significant wave height to 2m. A few barges are designed and built to
Cat 'B' requirements.
When
buying a new unfinished barge (eg. shell or sailaway), the builder must
still categorise the boat, up to supplied level of build. Therefore you
can buy a sailaway barge that conforms to RCD Cat 'B, C or D'
requirements. But because it is unfinished, a full conformation
certificate will not be issued, as, for example, a Cat 'C' barge must
take into account anchoring capabilities, the electrical installation,
gas installation, navigation lights, waste water discharge and have
suitable fire extinguishers on board. It should also be noted that
even if a barge is built to and comes with a Cat C & B certificate, many
pleasure
insurances will
only only cover up to Force 4 / forecast force 4 winds.
It is often
understood to be very difficult for the normal DIY enthusiast to get a
RCD certificate of compliance after they have completed their boat. But
there are now companies that specialise in helping DIY enthusiasts
obtain this appliance.
Generally a 'compliance up to build', which is CE marked, plus a
Boat
Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate is deemed acceptable for most purposes,
including insurance and navigation licences. The BSS is not required
for 5 years
(five year exclusion rule).
But likely an RCD certificate of compliance at completion level would
make any barge more appealing for buyers and give owners reassurance
that compliance has been met.
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ESSENTIAL
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF
RECREATIONAL CRAFT - 1. BOAT DESIGN CATEGORIES |
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Design
category
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Wind
speed
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Significant
Wave height
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Comments
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A
~ "Ocean"
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Exceeding
Beaufort 8
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Exceeding
4 m
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Very
few Barges built to this spec.
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B
~ "Offshore"
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Up
to force 8 inclusive
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Up
to and including 4 m
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Few
Replica Dutch Barges built to this category
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C
- "Inshore"
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Up
to force 6 inclusive
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Up
to and including 2 m
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Most
Replica Dutch Barges are built to this category
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D
- "Sheltered waters"
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Up
to force 4 inclusive
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Up
to and including 0,5 m
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All
Narrowboats and most low cost Broad Beam Barges
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Significant
wave height means the average height of the highest 1/3rd of the waves
over a given period. Waves of double that height may occasionally be
experienced.
The
RCD Defines Design Category as:-
A.
OCEAN: Designed for extended voyages where conditions may exceed
wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights of 4 m and
above but excluding abnormal conditions, and vessels largely
self-sufficient.
B.
OFFSHORE: Designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to,
and including, wind force 8 and significant wave heights up to, and
including, 4 m may be experienced.
C.
INSHORE: Designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays,
estuaries, lakes and rivers where conditions up to, and including, wind
force 6 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 2 m may be
experienced.
D.
SHELTERED
WATERS: Designed for voyages on sheltered coastal waters, small bays,
small lakes, rivers and canals when conditions up to, and including,
wind force 4 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 0.3 m
may be experienced, with occasional waves of 0.5 m maximum height, for
example from passing vessels.
The
directive also states that:-
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Craft
in each Category must be designed and constructed to withstand these
parameters in respect of stability, buoyancy, and other relevant
essential requirements listed in Annex I, and to have good handling
characteristics.
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There are special criteria to be considered with Kit Boats,
Sailaways, and boats fitted out from finished hulls whereby
compliance has to be demonstrated and certified by the manufacturer
to the extent of their involvement. (Partly Built Craft).
A
few salient points from the directive are listed below:-
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Depending
on the design category, craft shall be designed to minimize the
risks of falling overboard and to facilitate reboarding.
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For
motor boats, the main steering position shall give the operator,
under normal conditions of use (speed and load), good all-round
visibility.
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The
craft shall have sufficient stability and freeboard considering its
design category according to section 1 and the manufacturer's
maximum recommended load according to section 3.6.
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Openings
in hull, deck(s) and superstructure shall not impair the structural
integrity of the craft or its weathertight integrity when closed.
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Windows,
portlights, doors and hatchcovers shall withstand the water pressure
likely to be encountered in their specific position, as well as
pointloads applied by the weight of persons moving on deck.
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All
craft shall be designed so as to minimize the risk of sinking.
Particular attention should be paid where appropriate to:
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cockpits
and wells, which should be self-draining or have other means of
keeping water out of the boat interior
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ventilation
fittings,
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removal
of water by pumps or other means.
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All
habitable multihull craft over 12 metres long shall be provided with
viable means of escape in the event of inversion. All habitable
craft shall be provided with viable means of escape in the event of
fire.
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All
craft, taking into account their design category and their
characteristics shall be fitted with one or more strong points or
other means capable of safely accepting anchoring, mooring and
towing loads.
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The manufacturer shall ensure that the handling characteristics of
the craft are satisfactory with the most powerful engine for which
the boat is designed and constructed. For all recreational marine
engines, the maximum rated engine power shall be declared in the
owner's manual in accordance with the harmonized standard.
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All
inboard mounted engines shall be placed within an enclosure
separated from living quarters and installed so as to minimize the
risk of fires or spread of fires as well as hazards from toxic
fumes, heat, noise or vibrations in the living quarters.
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Engine
parts and accessories that require frequent inspection and/or
servicing shall be readily accessible.
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The
insulating materials inside engine spaces shall be non-combustible.
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The
engine compartment shall be ventilated. The dangerous ingress of
water into the engine compartment through all inlets must be
prevented.
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Unless
the engine is protected by a cover or its own enclosure, exposed
moving or hot parts of the engine that could cause personal injury
shall be effectively shielded.
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Electrical
systems shall be designed and installed so as to ensure proper
operation of the craft under normal conditions of use and shall be
such as to minimize risk of fire and electric shock.
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Attention
shall be paid to the provision of overload and short-circuit
protection of all circuits, except engine starting circuits,
supplied from batteries.
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Ventilation
shall be provided to prevent the accumulation of gases which might
be emitted from batteries. Batteries shall be firmly secured and
protected from ingress of water
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Steering
systems shall be designed, constructed and installed in order to
allow the transmission of steering loads under foreseeable operating
conditions.
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Sailboat
and single-engined inboard powered motor boats with
remote-controlled rudder steering systems shall be provided with
emergency means of steering the craft at reduced speed.
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Gas
systems for domestic use shall be of the vapour-withdrawal type and
shall be designed and installed so as to avoid leaks and the risk of
explosion and be capable of being tested for leaks. Materials and
components shall be suitable for the specific gas used to withstand
the stresses and exposures found in the marine environment.
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Each
appliance shall be equipped with a flame failure device effective on
all burners. Each gas-consuming appliance must be supplied by a
separate branch of the distribution system, and each appliance must
be controlled by a separate closing device. Adequate ventilation
must be provided to prevent hazards from leaks and products of
combustion.
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All
craft with a permanently installed gas system shall be fitted with
an enclosure to contain all gas cylinders. The enclosure shall be
separated from the living quarters, accessible only from the outside
and ventilated to the outside so that any escaping gas drains
overboard. Any permanent gas system shall be tested after
installation.
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The
type of equipment installed and the layout of the craft shall take
account of the risk and spread of fire. Special attention shall be
paid to the surroundings of open flame devices, hot areas or engines
and auxiliary machines, oil and fuel overflows, uncovered oil and
fuel pipes and avoiding electrical wiring above hot areas of
machines.
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Craft
shall be supplied with fire-fighting equipment appropriate to the
fire hazard. Petrol engine enclosures shall be protected by a fire
extinguishing system that avoids the need to open the enclosure in
the event of fire. Where fitted, portable fire extinguishers shall
be readily accessible and one shall be so positioned that it can
easily be reached from the main steering position of the craft.
For
annexes and further information see the full directive at:-
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1996/Uksi_19961353_en_2.htm
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Created
20th April 2004
- Last
updated
20 December 2009
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