APPENDIX 8 - ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE STANDARDS FOR RIGID INFLATABLE BOATS AND OPEN BOATS WISHING TO OPERATE OUTSIDE THE HOURS OF DAYLIGHT WITHIN AREA CATEGORY 3 OR 5
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Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - The Workboat Code Edition 2 - APPENDIX 8 - ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE STANDARDS FOR RIGID INFLATABLE BOATS AND OPEN BOATS WISHING TO OPERATE OUTSIDE THE HOURS OF DAYLIGHT WITHIN AREA CATEGORY 3 OR 5

APPENDIX 8 - ALTERNATIVE COMPLIANCE STANDARDS FOR RIGID INFLATABLE BOATS AND OPEN BOATS WISHING TO OPERATE OUTSIDE THE HOURS OF DAYLIGHT WITHIN AREA CATEGORY 3 OR 5

 The following are interpretations of the guidance provided by Figure A8.1. Section 4.5.2.3 refers:

‘a secondary means of propulsion with totally independent systems’ means a second means of propulsion should be provided that can be used to enable the vessel to return to a safe haven. This could mean a small outboard motor, provided it has adequate power to propel the vessel through the anticipated conditions likely to be encountered and while laden with the maximum certified persons and/or cargo.

‘daylight’ means one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. In tropical waters this is to be from sunrise to sunset.

‘full risk assessment’ means a written risk assessment that fully considers all risks that the vessel and persons on board could reasonably expect to encounter during the operation outside of the hours of daylight. Mitigation to reduce the risks to the vessel, where possible, should be provided.

‘wearing of a lifejacket’ means that all persons on board should wear an approved lifejacket in accordance with the requirements of the Codes of Practice. Where additional personal exposure protection clothing is worn, the lifejacket should be suitable to be worn with that clothing. The lifejacket should be fitted with a light.

‘carrying of personal exposure protection clothing’ means all persons on board should have available on board a dry suit, a floatation suit meeting EN ISO 15027-1 or other suitable foul weather clothing. MCA strongly recommends that this should not include the use of an immersion suit which is designed only for emergency situations – for example, SOLAS immersion suits are not considered appropriate for this purpose. Warm head wear should be provided and where the protective clothing is not insulated but is waterproof, warm clothing should also be available to wear beneath it.

‘wearing of personal exposure protection clothing’ means all persons on board should wear a dry suit, a floatation suit meeting EN ISO 15027-1 or other suitable foul weather clothing. MCA strongly recommends that this should not include the use of an immersion suit which is designed only for emergency situations – for example SOLAS immersion suits are not considered appropriate for this purpose. Warm head wear should be provided and where the protective clothing is not insulated but is waterproof, warm clothing should also be worn beneath it.

1. Certification

1.1 The Certificate that the vessel is issued with should be endorsed with “Restricted Category 3”. The additional operational limitations and requirements as per Figure A15.1, and any further conditions considered necessary by the Certifying Authority, should be included within the ‘conditions’ section of the Certificate.

2. Manning

2.1 The minimum Master qualification for operation outside the hours of daylight is a commercially endorsed RYA/DfT Advanced Powerboat Certificate with 12 months relevant experience for operations up to 3nm from a safe haven, and with 2 years relevant experience for operations up to 10nm from a safe haven. Minimum manning requirements should be endorsed within the ‘conditions’ section of the Certificate for clarity to the owner/managing agent.

Figure A8.1 Acceptance Matrix for Restricted Category 3 RIBs and Open Boats without a Permanent Substantial Enclosure.

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209 "Favourable weather" with respect to a small vessel means conditions existing throughout a voyage or excursion in which the effects either individually or in combination of swell, height of waves, strength of wind and visibility cause no hazard to the safety of the vessel, including handling ability. In making a judgement on favourable weather, the Master should have due regard to official weather forecasts for the service area of the vessel or to weather information for the area which may be available from the Coastguard or similar coastal safety organisation;

210 Seasonal Restrictions – Restricted to operation between 1st April and 31st October.

Parent topic: The Workboat Code Edition 2
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