4.1 General Requirements
4.1.1 A vessel which operates in Area Category 0, 1, or 2 should be
fitted with a watertight weather deck over the length of the vessel, satisfying the
requirements of section 4.3.1, and be of adequate (see 4.2.1) structural strength to
withstand the sea and weather conditions likely to be encountered in the intended area
of operation.
4.1.2 A vessel which is not fitted with a watertight weather deck in accordance
with section 4.1.1 should be restricted to Area Category 3, 4, 5 or 6. An open boat
should be restricted to service in Area Categories 4, 5 and 6, however compliance with
the guidance in 4.5.2 may allow operation in Area Category 3. Sections 4.1.3 and 4.1.4
apply to a vessel referred to in section 4.1.2. Both types of boats shall be provided
with adequate reserves of buoyancy and stability for the vessel to survive the
consequences of swamping when loaded with all the vessel’s equipment, fuel, cargo,
activity related equipment (e.g. diving equipment) and the number of persons for which
it is to be certificated. See sections 11 & 12 for applicable standard.
4.1.3 An open boat should not carry cargo, or a combination of passengers,
industrial personnel and cargo, for which the cargo element is in excess of 1000
kilogrammes (kg) (refer to section 11 - Stability, and 12 - Freeboard). Such a vessel
may not be fitted with a lifting device, or be engaged in towing operations.
4.1.4 A motor vessel fitted with a watertight weather deck, which does not meet
the freeboard requirements of section 12.2, but which possesses adequate reserves of
buoyancy (>10%) above the weather deck, may be considered for the operations defined in
section 4.1.3 above, provided the following conditions are satisfied:-
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.1 Freeboard to the gunwale edge should meet that required by section 12.2.2.3.
Freeboard to the weather deck should be positive in all loading conditions.
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.2 The recess bounded by the reserve buoyancy and gunwales should
meet the standard for quick-draining cockpits for Category A vessels, within ISO
11812 – ‘Small Craft – Watertight Cockpits and Quick-draining Cockpits’, or
equivalent.
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.3 The vessel should comply with the relevant intact stability criteria for
transverse stability, and should display positive longitudinal stability, for the
duration of the drain time.
4.1.5 Figure 4.1.5 shows a suitable type of arrangement for the purposes of
section 4.1.4. Shaded areas show buoyancy above the watertight deck, in this case at the
vessel sides, but which may equally be fore and aft.
4.2 Structural Strength
4.2.1 General
4.2.1.1 The design of hull structure and construction should provide strength and
service life for the safe operation of a vessel, at its service draught and maximum
service speed, to withstand the sea and weather conditions likely to be encountered in
the intended area of operation.
4.2.1.2 All vessels for operation in Area Category 0, 1 or 2 should be designed and
built in accordance with the hull construction standards of a recognised Classification
Society or equivalent standard e.g. Seafish design, or to first principles.
4.2.1.3 All vessels for operation in category 3 - 6 should be designed and built to a
recognised standardfootnote satisfactory to the Certifying Authority for their intended
use.
4.2.1.4 The vessel structure and the equipment fitted to that structure should be
verifiedfootnote by the Certifying Authority as being of suitable strength
to withstand the loads that are likely to be imposed when operating at the maximum
capacity of any lifting appliance (including diver lifts), cleats, windlass, winches,
bollards etc. See also Section 25 for particular applications. This should also be
verified by the Certifying Authority where any modifications are undertaken. PUWERfootnote, MGN 331(M+F)footnote and Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers
(CoSWP) Chapter 18, 19, 26 and note for lifting equipment should be referred to. The
builder of the workboat should provide information on the breaking strength of the
strong points. Equipment manufacturers’ instructions on installation, operation and
maintenance should be followed as required by LOLERfootnote and PUWER Regulations. Where equipment standards are not
specified in the Code the Certifying Authority should agree an appropriate standard.
The breaking strength of lines/chains shall in general not exceed 80 % of the breaking
strength of the respective strong point.
4.2.2 Construction
4.2.2.1 A vessel’s hull and superstructure may be constructed of wood, fibre reinforced
plastic (FRP), aluminium alloy, steel or combinations of such materials. Requirements
for materials used for the construction of inflatable and rigid inflatable boats are
given in section 4.5.2.
4.2.2.2 Proposals to use any other material should be submitted to the Certifying
Authority for consideration and approval. When a Certifying Authority considers it does
not have the necessary expertise to deal with vessels of the hull material proposed, the
Administration should be consulted with regard to the procedures to be adopted.
4.2.2.3 The hull of a vessel which has been surveyed and certificated by an UK Load Line
Assigning Authority should be acceptable, subject to presentation of a Certificate of
Construction.
4.2.2.4 UK Load Line Assigning Authorities, in addition to the MCA, are American Bureau
of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, DNV GL, Lloyd’s Register, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai and Registro
Italiano Navale.
4.2.2.5 A vessel which has not been built under the survey of an UK Load Line Assigning
Authority will be considered to be of adequate strength after a satisfactory examination
by an authorised person and if it has been built:
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.1 in accordance with the hull certification standards for small vessels,
published by one of the Load Line Assigning Authorities; or
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.2 in accordance with the hull certification standardsfootnote for small vessels provided in Appendix 13;
4.2.2.6 A vessel not built in accordance with either section 4.2.2.3 or 4.2.2.5 may be
specially considered, provided that full information (including calculations, drawings,
details of materials and construction) is presented to and approved by the Certifying
Authority.
4.2.2.7 A vessel with an existing certificate at the date of coming into force of the
Code, or in possession of a valid Load Line Certificate or Load Line Exemption
Certificate appropriate to the operational category shall continue to be considered of
adequate strength for its existing equivalent category.
4.3 Decks
4.3.1 Weather Deck
4.3.1.1 A watertight weather deck referred to in section 4.1.1 should extend from stem
to stern and have positive freeboard throughout, in any condition of loading of the
vessel. (Minimum requirements for freeboard are given in section 12.)
4.3.1.2 A weather deck may be stepped, recessed or raised provided the stepped, recessed
or raised portion is of watertight construction.
4.3.2 Recesses
For water freeing arrangements generally, see section 6 and, for freeboard requirements,
see section 12.
4.3.2.1 For motor vessels, a recess in a weather deck complying with
section 4.3.1.1, should be of watertight construction and have means of drainage capable
of efficient operation when the vessel is heeled to angle of 10 degrees (°). Such
drainage is to have an effective area, excluding grills and baffles, of at least 20
square centimetres (cm2) for each cubic metre of volume of recess below the
weather deck.
4.3.2.2 Alternative arrangements for the size and drainage of a recess may be accepted
provided it can be demonstrated that, with the vessel upright and at its deepest
draught, the recess drains from a swamped condition within 3 minutes; or the cockpit or
recess should comply with ISO 11812 (Small Craft – Watertight and Quick Draining
Cockpits) for the relevant design category. See Appendix 13.
4.3.2.3 If a recess is provided with a locker which gives direct access to the interior
of the hull, the locker should be fitted with weathertight cover(s). In addition the
cover(s) to the locker should be permanently attached to the vessel’s structure and
fitted with efficient locking devices to secure the cover(s) in the closed position.
4.4 Watertight Bulkheads
4.4.1 The strength of a watertight bulkhead and the effectiveness of any alternative
means should be adequate for the intended purpose and to the satisfaction of the
Certifying Authority.
4.4.2 When pipes, cables, etc. penetrate watertight bulkheads, they should be provided
with valves and/or watertight glands, as appropriate.
4.4.3 A doorway fitted in a watertight bulkhead should be constructed so as to be
watertight from both sides and be kept closed at sea, unless opened for access only, at
the discretion of the Master. A notice should be fitted to both sides of the door “To be
kept closed at sea, open for access only”. Sliding watertight doors, where fitted, are
to be provided with suitable safety provision to avoid injury to personnel by closure of
the door.
4.4.4 For vessels with a waterline length greater than 15m and operating in Area
category 0, 1, or 2, a collision bulkhead should be fitted. The collision bulkhead is to
be positioned within the forward 20% of the vessel length from the bow.
4.5 Open Boats, Inflatable and Rigid Inflatable Boats
4.5.1 General
The following requirements should apply to an inflatable or rigid inflatable boat, other
than a tender (dinghy) covered by section 24.
4.5.2 Rigid Inflatable Boats and Open Boats in Area Categories 2 and 3
Generally, a rigid inflatable boat which is intended to operate as an independent vessel
in Area Category 2 or 3 (and is not a tender operating from a vessel) should be of a
design and construction which would meet the requirements of Chapter III of the 1974
SOLAS Convention, as amended, and the parts of the Annex to IMO Resolution MSC.48(66) –
“International Life-Saving Appliance Code”, as amended, and MSC.81(70) – “Testing and
Evaluation of Life–Saving Appliances”, as amended – which are appropriate to the type of
boat and subject to the variations which are given in the Code. Inflatable boats are not
considered appropriate for operation in Area Categories 2 and 3. An open boat which is
intended to operate as an independent vessel (and is not a tender operating from a
vessel) may operate in Category 3 (e.g. not category 2) provided that it is of a design
and construction which would meet the requirements ISO 12215footnote and is either RCD Design Category A or B (see EC Directive
94/25/EC as amended by 2003/44/EC) which are appropriate to the type of boat.
4.5.2.1 A rigid inflatable boat may only be considered for operations in Area Category
2, if it has a permanent accommodation space for all persons on board which has a
steering position for the vessel within it.
4.5.2.2 A rigid inflatable boat or open boat may only be considered for operations in
Area Category 3 or 5 (night time operations), if fitted with a substantial enclosure for
the protection of persons on board and purpose designed, subject to approval by the
Certifying Authority. A substantial enclosure can be a permanently secured solid
structure, or one that can be removed in harbour, provided when in place it is through
bolted to the deck and adequately constructed to meet the designed vessel limitations.
Portable canopies that are secured by lines or by fabric hook and loop fastening are not
acceptable.
4.5.2.3 For Area Category 3 and 5 operation only, alternative provision for enclosures
to that in 4.5.2.2 may be considered, with operational/seasonal limitations. Such cases
should be to the satisfaction of the Certifying Authority using the provisions of
Appendix 8.
4.5.2.4 Inflatable and Rigid Inflatable Boats in Area Categories 4, 5 and 6.
4.5.2.5 An inflatable boat or rigid inflatable boat, of less than 8 metres in length,
which is intended to operate as an independent vessel in Area Category 4, 5 or 6 should
be of a design and construction which would meet the requirements of ISO 6185 Part 2 or
3. Inflatable boats or rigid inflatable boats meeting the requirements of ISO 6185 Part
1 are not suitable for operation under the Code of Practice. Vessels over 8 metres in
length should be assessed in accordance with section 4.2.2 or vessels in Area Category
4, 5 or 6 should be of a design and construction which would meet the requirements of
ISO 6185 Part 4. See Appendix 13.
4.5.2.6 The structure of the rigid hull of a rigid inflatable boat may alternatively be
assessed in accordance with section 4.2.2.
4.5.2.7 When the production of boats is covered by an approved quality system and boats
are built in batches to a standard design, prototype tests on one boat may be accepted
for a boat of the same design submitted for compliance with the Code.
4.5.2.8 A boat should be of strength to withstand the sea and weather conditions likely
to be encountered in the intended area of operation.
4.5.3 Construction
4.5.3.1 For boats complying with section 4.5.2.1 (except open boats),
materials should satisfy the requirements of Chapter
III of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended, (including ISO 15372:2000 Ships
and marine technology. Inflatable rescue boats. Coated fabrics for inflatable chambers),
except that fire–retarding characteristics are not required for the hull material.
4.5.3.2 For boats complying with section 4.5.2.2 and 4.5.2.3, materials should satisfy
the requirements of ISO 6185, Part 2 or Part 3 as appropriate to the engine size.
4.5.3.3 A new boat of a type certified as a rescue boat under the Merchant Shipping
(Marine Equipment) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 1957), as amended, or provided with a
letter of compliance for use as a fast rescue boat for offshore stand-by vessels, or any
equivalent certification or compliance, should be accepted as complying with the
construction requirements of the Code.
4.5.3.4 A new boat which is not built in accordance with either section 4.5.2.1, 4.5.2.2
or 4.5.2.3 may be specially considered, provided that full information (including
calculations, drawings, details of materials and construction) is presented to and
approved by the Certifying Authority.
4.5.3.5 A permanent shelter provided for the protection of persons on-board should be of
construction adequate for the intended purpose and the intended area of operation.
4.5.4 Testing
4.5.4.1 In addition to the examination regime in accordance with section 27 the
following should be applied during the life of the certificate:
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.1 Annually (by the owner/managing agent) – An airtightness test as follows;
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• Inflate each compartment of the boat individually to 120% of the safe
working pressure.
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• Check Integrity of tubes and seams for each compartment with soapy water
and, in the case of a rigid inflatable boat, the integrity of the joints
between the tubes and the hull.
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• Check that after 30 minutes the pressure is still at 120%.
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• Inflate all compartments to the safe working pressure, and record the
ambient temperature. After 24 hours in this condition, pressures should be
rechecked and the ambient temperature retaken and then check that the
pressure is not less than 100% of working pressure.
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• A declaration should be sent to the Certifying Authority on completion.
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.2 At the renewal examination, testing shall be conducted to the satisfaction of
the Certifying Authority by a competent person in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations.
4.6 Vessels which are Workboats Launched and Recovered from Mother Vessels or
Shore/Platform Based Facilities.
4.6.1 Vessels certified under this Code which are required to be launched and recovered
by lifting should meet appropriate hull construction standards for that purpose. When
vessels are lifted to enable launch and recovery they should also be fitted with lifting
points that correspond with the construction of the vessel.
4.6.2 Where a vessel certified under this Code is launched or recovered on a ramp, the
vessel should meet appropriate hull construction standards for that purpose.
4.6.3 Further to 24.5 it is expected that a daughter craft and crew should be safely
recoverable. Where the workboat certification specifies defined conditions to allow safe
launch and recovery, these conditions should be noted on the certificate and met, then
the mother vessel or shore or platform facility can be considered as a safe haven for
the purpose of assigning an Area Category. Also refer to section 24 requirements for
Type 1 Tenders.
4.6.4 Where those persons on board such a vessel cannot be safely transferred to the
mother vessel or platform facility, the vessel certified under this Code should be
certified appropriately for the area it is being operated in to allow it to return to a
safe haven ashore. In effect this vessel cannot be considered as a Type 1 Tender. See
also section 24.5 and 24.6 requirements for Type 1 Tenders.