Chapter 8A - Electrical Installations Vessels of Less than 500GT
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Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - Yacht Code - January 2019 Edition - Part A - Large Yacht Code (up to 12 passengers) - Chapter 8A - Electrical Installations Vessels of Less than 500GT

Chapter 8A - Electrical Installations Vessels of Less than 500GT

Objective: This Chapter outlines the minimum requirements for electrical installations, which shall be in accordance with the requirements of a Recognised Organisation, and shall cover the minimum aspects defined below. For sailing vessels, this shall also cover the elements necessary to ensure safety of the vessel including control of the sails, where appropriate. Existing Vessels which are not already Classed shall be taken into Class, however alternative arrangements for Short Range operation may be agreed by the Administration.

8A.1 Installation

(1) Particular attention shall be paid to the provision of overload and short circuit protection of all circuits, except engine starting circuits supplied from batteries.

(2) Electrical devices working in potentially hazardous areas, into which petroleum vapour or other hydrocarbon gas may leak, shall be of a type certified safe for the hazard.

8A.2 Lighting

(1) Lighting circuits, including those for emergency lighting, shall be distributed through the spaces so that a total blackout cannot occur due to failure of a single protective device.

(2) An emergency source of lighting shall be provided which shall be independent of the general lighting system. This source shall be sufficient for up to 3 hours duration and shall include navigation light supplies. The lighting is to provide sufficient lighting for personnel to escape from the accommodation or working spaces to their muster station, and launch and board survival craft. Additionally, this light, supplemented by torches, shall be sufficient to permit emergency repairs to machinery etc.

8A.3 Battery Systems

(1) Batteries of a type suitable for marine use and not liable to leakage shall be used. Areas in which batteries are stowed shall be provided with appropriate ventilation to prevent an accumulation of gas which is emitted from batteries of all types.

(2) Where batteries are used for propulsion and/or electric power supply purposes during ship operations, the Battery System design and operation shall consider the guidelines provided in Annex A

8A.4 Emergency Power

(1) Emergency power shall be readily available to supply the required emergency lighting, radio installation and navigation aids for a minimum of 3 hours. As a minimum, the navigation aids to be supplied by emergency power to include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), echo sounder and AIS. The emergency power supply shall be adequate to also supply any electrical emergency equipment fitted, such as fire pumps, bilge pumps, watertight doors, and rescue boat davit.

(2) The emergency source of power shall be independent of the main power supply, external to the engine room, and with separate distribution.

8A.5 Additional Equivalence Considerations

(1) None

8A.6 Alternative Design and Arrangements

(1) Vessels may follow Section 1.9 on Alternative Design and Arrangements for this chapter as allowed by SOLAS II-1/55.

(2) The engineering analysis required by 1.9(3) shall be prepared and submitted to the Administration, based on the guidelinesfootnote and shall include, as a minimum, the following engineering analysis elements:

  • (a) determination of the ship type, machinery, electrical installations and space(s) concerned;

  • (b) identification of the prescriptive requirement(s) with which the machinery and electrical installations will not comply;

  • (c) identification of the reason the proposed design will not meet the prescriptive requirements supported by compliance with other recognized engineering or industry standards;

  • (d) determination of the performance criteria for the ship, machinery, electrical installation or the space(s) concerned addressed by the relevant prescriptive requirement(s):

    • (i) performance criteria shall provide a level of safety not inferior to the relevant prescriptive requirements contained in SOLAS II-1 parts C, D and E; and

    • (ii) performance criteria shall be quantifiable and measurable;

  • (e) detailed description of the alternative design and arrangements, including a list of the assumptions used in the design and any proposed operational restrictions or conditions;

  • (f) technical justification demonstrating that the alternative design and arrangements meet the safety performance criteria; and

  • (g) risk assessment based on identification of the potential faults and hazards associated with the proposal.

Parent topic: Part A - Large Yacht Code (up to 12 passengers)
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