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Originally Posted by DGR
I am trying to establish who can code what, and where!!
My RIB is coded to Cat 4 by a surveyor who (I assume) is permitted to categorise vessels on behalf of the MCA. Other small boats in the harbour are cleared to Category C (i.e. less than my Cat 4) but are done by the MCA directly. Does anyone know what the difference is? Is it small vessels? Or is it passenger capacity? Or is it water category? Or is it simply convenience that makes the difference?
Any clues/ideas?
Dylan...
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You are confusing two types of code.
1. CAT 4 is part of MCA codes for passenger boats or as is now to be clasified under the harmonsied codes workboats. This CAT goes from 1 to 6 with no 1 being the hardest.
2. CAT C is part of the recreational craft directive for the purposes of setting a definitive standard for pleasure vessels before being placed on the market. In this case CAT C is inshore waters, then CAT B is offshore to a significant wave height of 4m and CAT A deep sea.
Up to 8m(from memory) the RCD paperwork, that includes stability etc, can be used as part of coding for CAT 1 to 6. After that we are in to SOLAS declarations though there still seem to be a few larger RIBS getting through without decent papers. A decent RIB for coding will go further than the basics and have
1. Drpp tests and possibly slam tests.
2. A full stability booklet rather than a simple heel and swamp test
3. Surveyor inspections during construction.
A coded vessel will also require a staement from the hull makers of compliance to SOLAS and inflation tests on the tubes. RCD will require none of this.
The MCA do not issue papers on RCD. This is done through an independant commercial company who ineffect issue type approval. Regulations and enforcement regarding RCD are governed by Trading Standards.
Cheers
John
www.quinquari.co.uk
