RIB Equipment

[Mark Weeks]

I am presently overseeing the re-vamp of our club's RIB and need some information about electronic equipement please. We presently have a hand-held VHF radio and I would like to replace it with a fixed DSC VHF radio, with a GPS and an echosounder. The hard part is pursuading the university to pay for the equipment! Can anyone offer any advice as to what equipment is needed by law?

Many Thanks

Mark Weeks

[Keith Lawrence(BSAC)]

I am presently overseeing the re-vamp of our club's RIB and need some information about electronic equipement please. We presently have a hand-held VHF radio and I would like to replace it with a fixed DSC VHF radio, with a GPS and an echosounder. The hard part is pursuading the university to pay for the equipment! Can anyone offer any advice as to what equipment is needed by law?

Hi Mark

Contact Alistair at HQ (<a href="mailto:alistairr@bsac.com">alistairr@bsac.com</a>) on this one. There is some ongoing work-in-progress with the MCA and others about small boats and he will have the latest situation. When it's all finally sorted and agreed we'll get it on the web for you all but I'm not exactly sure what stage we're at just now so I'll pass it to Alistair.

Keith L

[Mark Weeks]

Keith,

Many thanks, I'll get onto Alistair now.

Mark

:=I am presently overseeing the re-vamp of our club's RIB and need some information about electronic equipement please. We presently have a hand-held VHF radio and I would like to replace it with a fixed DSC VHF radio, with a GPS and an echosounder. The hard part is pursuading the university to pay for the equipment! Can anyone offer any advice as to what equipment is needed by law?

Hi Mark

Contact Alistair at HQ (<a href="mailto:alistairr@bsac.com">alistairr@bsac.com</a>) on this one. There is some ongoing work-in-progress with the MCA and others about small boats and he will have the latest situation. When it's all finally sorted and agreed we'll get it on the web for you all but I'm not exactly sure what stage we're at just now so I'll pass it to Alistair.

Keith L

[Mike Halligan]

Mark,

I recommend you also go down the coast and into a pub. Buy one or two pints each for a lifeboatman and a Coastguard. You will learn more about the reality of operating a small boat at sea there than in the law (current or intended). Parliament doesn't acknowledge the fact, but the sea isn't constrained by UK or EU law.

I acknowledge that this cuts no ice with your funding authority. However you need to ensure that what you persuade them to buy (using argument of legal imperative) will actually be of operational value.

Mike

[Mark Weeks]

Mike,

Cheers !

Mark

Mark,

I recommend you also go down the coast and into a pub. Buy one or two pints each for a lifeboatman and a Coastguard. You will learn more about the reality of operating a small boat at sea there than in the law (current or intended). Parliament doesn't acknowledge the fact, but the sea isn't constrained by UK or EU law.

I acknowledge that this cuts no ice with your funding authority. However you need to ensure that what you persuade them to buy (using argument of legal imperative) will actually be of operational value.

Mike

[Claire]

Or you could sign up for a free seacheck with the RNLI. They will advise on existing safety equipment and what you need to purchase (not had one done so not sure of specifics - see link below). This might hold some sway with uni funding body - can sympathise on this as we're also uni club. Good luck.

[Mark Weeks]

Thanks, I've arranged for a seacheck with the RNLI !

Mark
Or you could sign up for a free seacheck with the RNLI. They will advise on existing safety equipment and what you need to purchase (not had one done so not sure of specifics - see link below). This might hold some sway with uni funding body - can sympathise on this as we're also uni club. Good luck.

[Mike Halligan]

Or you could sign up for a free seacheck with the RNLI. They will advise on existing safety equipment and what you need to purchase (not had one done so not sure of specifics - see link below). This might hold some sway with uni funding body - can sympathise on this as we're also uni club. Good luck.

We've had both our boats done, and it was an illuminating event - even before they offered to let off old flares. If you can get hold of the Silver and Gold criteria, and I'm sure they are available, then a responsible authority should be swayed.

Regards,

Mike

[Mark Weeks]

Mike,

Many thanks for the advice, I'll have to enquire about the silver/gold criteria!

Mark

:=Or you could sign up for a free seacheck with the RNLI. They will advise on existing safety equipment and what you need to purchase (not had one done so not sure of specifics - see link below). This might hold some sway with uni funding body - can sympathise on this as we're also uni club. Good luck.

We've had both our boats done, and it was an illuminating event - even before they offered to let off old flares. If you can get hold of the Silver and Gold criteria, and I'm sure they are available, then a responsible authority should be swayed.

Regards,

Mike

[Philip Smith]

Parliament doesn't acknowledge the fact, but the sea isn't constrained by UK or EU law.

Not sure what point you're trying to make Mike, but this statement as written may be misleading. The "sea" itself may not be constrained by law, but UK sea-goers are governed by UK and international legislation.

However you need to ensure that what you persuade them to buy (using argument of legal imperative) will actually be of operational value.

A more powerful argument can be made to university sports unions on the basis of safety imperatives, since there aren't many legal requirements for electronic equipment on a typical dive club RIB.

Philip Smith

[Mike Halligan]

:=Parliament doesn't acknowledge the fact, but the sea isn't constrained by UK or EU law.

Not sure what point you're trying to make Mike, but this statement as written may be misleading. The "sea" itself may not be constrained by law, but UK sea-goers are governed by UK and international legislation.

Simple point, our Governments and our courts may rule as they wish, the sea continues to do as it damn well pleases. If you assume that "sea-goers are governed" on our inshore waters, you may be in for a rude awakening. Precious few show the slightest regard for themselves, let alone others - or regulation.

:=However you need to ensure that what you persuade them to buy (using argument of legal imperative) will actually be of operational value.

A more powerful argument can be made to university sports unions on the basis of safety imperatives, since there aren't many legal requirements for electronic equipment on a typical dive club RIB.
I was steering Mark to consider safety above regulation. However, he had asked about regulation. Too many people are frightened into buying inappropriate gear, ignorant of the relative merits of more economic alternatives. An over-engineered gismo that won't survive in an open boat for long, may have wonderful packaging, cost 3 times as much as the alternative and trumpet that it meets regulatory requirments. Unfortunately, it will not actually work after the first trip.

Mike

[Gary Pittaway]

Mark,

I do like this forum, it certainly encourages discussion. As an RNLI crewman myself, I like Mikes approach. But each answer given is right. What I can advise is that you consider a free Sea Check from the RNLI. Call 0800 328 0600 and a locally appointed RNLI advisor can visit you, examine your craft and offer advice. It is a service free to anyone. It is NOT an MOT of your craft, just a simple check of what you have, or may not have and a check on the condition of your craft.

The advisor can offer advice on equipment, offer suggestions, give alternatives without prejudice and point you in the right direction. The RNLI web site gives a bit more info on Sea Check.

All the best, mine's a Guiness.

Gary Pittaway
Sea Check NW London.

[Philip Smith]

Simple point, our Governments and our courts may rule as they wish, the sea continues to do as it damn well pleases.

Ok.

If you assume that "sea-goers are governed" on our inshore waters, you may be in for a rude awakening.

No, I am realistic. Governance, enforcement and compliance are different things. The context was not the non-compliance of others, but Mark's request about what a responsible RIB owner needs to do to comply.

Philip Smith

[Keith Lawrence(BSAC)]

Mark,

I do like this forum, it certainly encourages discussion. As an RNLI crewman myself, I like Mikes approach. But each answer given is right. What I can advise is that you consider a free Sea Check from the RNLI. Call 0800 328 0600 and a locally appointed RNLI advisor can visit you, examine your craft and offer advice. It is a service free to anyone. It is NOT an MOT of your craft, just a simple check of what you have, or may not have and a check on the condition of your craft.

The advisor can offer advice on equipment, offer suggestions, give alternatives without prejudice and point you in the right direction. The RNLI web site gives a bit more info on Sea Check.

Thanks for the nice comments Gary :-)
I'll second what has been said, I've spoken to several branches who have had the Sea Check visit and every one of them has said that it's VERY worth while.

Regards

Keith L

[Mark Weeks]

Many thanks for everyones replies, sorry I've not posted a reply sooner but I've been diving in Lefkas, Greece; well recoomended !

I've now booked the SeaSearch check and I hope to soon know what we need to operate a safe diving RIB.

Happy diving

Mark :-)
:=Mark,
:=
:=I do like this forum, it certainly encourages discussion. As an RNLI crewman myself, I like Mikes approach. But each answer given is right. What I can advise is that you consider a free Sea Check from the RNLI. Call 0800 328 0600 and a locally appointed RNLI advisor can visit you, examine your craft and offer advice. It is a service free to anyone. It is NOT an MOT of your craft, just a simple check of what you have, or may not have and a check on the condition of your craft.
:=
:=The advisor can offer advice on equipment, offer suggestions, give alternatives without prejudice and point you in the right direction. The RNLI web site gives a bit more info on Sea Check.

Thanks for the nice comments Gary :-)
I'll second what has been said, I've spoken to several branches who have had the Sea Check visit and every one of them has said that it's VERY worth while.

Regards

Keith L