RHIB's

[Mikeyd71]

Can someone let me know their general club rules for taking out a RHIB on inshore dives, which are no further than 2 miles from the coast, maybe 3 max - I am not talking about minimum dive qualifications, but qualifications for handling the boat, do people need to be diver coxen? - trying to put some club rules together.

[MikeTonge]

I'm a member of two clubs. One you only need to be a boat handler to take the boat out and drop and pick divers up. The other you need to be a diver coxn. The important point seems to be whether you're insurance requires you to have been assessed on your boat handling skills before you're insured to take the boat out or not. This is because the boat handling SDC doesn't actually include an assessment whereas diver coxn does.

Other rules that you may or may not need to state are the standard things like making sure you put a voyage plan in with someone, making sure you've got all the appropriate kit on board to comply with Solas regs (http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/leisurenandtheseaside/mcga-sealeisure.htm).

Mike

[bluewater]

There are some guidelines on the BSAC website in the GUIDELINES FOR THE
SAFE OPERATION OF MEMBER CLUB DIVE BOATS (page9) you can find this at http://www.bsac.com/page.asp?section=1029&sectionTitle=Boat+Safety+Guide

Hope this helps

Ged

[Edward]

Can someone let me know their general club rules for taking out a RHIB on inshore dives, which are no further than 2 miles from the coast, maybe 3 max - I am not talking about minimum dive qualifications, but qualifications for handling the boat, do people need to be diver coxen? - trying to put some club rules together.

Hi Mikey,

Not fully up to speed on the current requirements (UK that is), but have a look round these pages (http://www.bsac.com/page.asp?section=1029&sectionTitle=Boat+Safety+Guide), they should help.

I'm sure there are some Codes of Practise its worth reading, see mca pages here (http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/shipsandcargoes/mcga-shiptype/mcga-pleasurecraftandsmallships/pleasurevessel.htm).

Regards

Edward

[GaryC]

The recommendation appears to be Diver Coxswain. I suspect that if that were made an enforced rule then most club RIBs would not go out. Certainly in our club that would be a very small number.

Our rule is...
Boat Handling Course
VHF
DL
Assessment by DO. (a pass)

Also SD and Boat Handling Course for assistants. (i.e in charge of the RIB when the Club Cox is diving)

Gary

[wallsy]

The recommendation appears to be Diver Coxswain. I suspect that if that were made an enforced rule then most club RIBs would not go out. Certainly in our club that would be a very small number.

Our rule is...
Boat Handling Course
VHF
DL
Assessment by DO. (a pass)

Also SD and Boat Handling Course for assistants. (i.e in charge of the RIB when the Club Cox is diving)

Gary
we do virtualy the same but we stipulate that 5 assisted cox's must be done before they can cox the boat themselves this goes for any one joining the club. we had a NI join the club who taught me the bhc but he couldnt take the boat out till he had completed the 5 assisted cox's
cheers dave

[Nigel Hewitt]

I used to run club dives on RYA2, RD, O2, VHF, most of DM and lots of techie stuff.

Then it was decided we needed Diver Cox'n so an examiner came down and did a bunch of us. There was only one drill that wasn't familiar but after many years I have a happy relationship with the club RIBs and they get it right even if I'm a bit shaky.

[davebarber]

We apply the general rule that if you prang the prop you are responsible to pay for the repair, split between who ever is in the RIB at the time.

[Edward]

We apply the general rule that if you prang the prop you are responsible to pay for the repair, split between who ever is in the RIB at the time.

Why not just pay for 'bottom end' cover, its usually an optional extra, but well worth it.

Edward

[bluewater]

We apply the general rule that if you prang the prop you are responsible to pay for the repair, split between who ever is in the RIB at the time.

Repair? as in weld a new bit in and balance it again, is that cost effective?

[GaryC]

Repair? as in weld a new bit in and balance it again, is that cost effective?
My original prop got mangled when my son bumped into skye with the RIB. (Wouldn't mind its big enough)
I had it repaired at what was about under half the cost of a new one. I now use the repaired one as a spare prop and bought a new one for normal use.

Gary

[ChristianG]

Repair? as in weld a new bit in and balance it again, is that cost effective?
In my experience a prop repaired in this fashion is neither fish nor flesh, particularly so if it's paired with a twin alongside it.

I have quite a lot of experience of a fibreglass twin engined (Honda 90 hp 4 strokes) boat and, yes, weight is the first item to be adjusted (move the heavyweight guys around) but I remember when someone really dug one of the props into the sand (and perhaps rock although we couldn't see any such damage) driving the boat was a bit of a pig, until we had both props replaced.

[davebarber]

Why not just pay for 'bottom end' cover, its usually an optional extra, but well worth it.

Edward

We do have bottom end cover.

But Club would then pay the excess and lose its its NCD.

More paperwork, flaff, delay, and takes the responsibility away from the culprit.

Insurance is no good for the minor knocks of life. But if the whole leg gets smashed off or the boat gets nicked or catches fire its essential.

[bluewater]

In my experience a prop repaired in this fashion is neither fish nor flesh, particularly so if it's paired with a twin alongside it.

I have quite a lot of experience of a fibreglass twin engined (Honda 90 hp 4 strokes) boat and, yes, weight is the first item to be adjusted (move the heavyweight guys around) but I remember when someone really dug one of the props into the sand (and perhaps rock although we couldn't see any such damage) driving the boat was a bit of a pig, until we had both props replaced.

Thanks, I didn't think that repairs were a great idea, unless done extreamly well, which I'd imagine isn't easy they'd place odd loads on the engine as well as being inefficient (or at least that's my suposition)

[kwoffa]

Generaly speaking...you need to cover all the emergencies...
A dedicated coswain..beit an experienced B/H,...Vhf operator,First aid,Oxygen administrator,dive Manager, and remember what happens if all these people are in the water at the same time,,hence an Experienced Boat Handler! Experience should be passed on to newer boat handlers otherwise no one gains..the minimum should be B/Handler and VHF certificates...gain as much experience as possible.by asisting and watching current boathandler.the Diver cox award covers a lot more in depth than the boat handling certificate and is highly recomended...obviously you should understand the electronics on board...i have seen many a club boat at the Marina falling into sorry/sad states due to poor maintanance and no proper maintanance schedule...a dedicated boat officer is a prudent move...as the analagy of "too many cooks" is very evident on most boats!