WHICH BOATS NEED TO COMPLY ?

All recreational craft of between 2.5m and 24m which have been put on the market or into
service in the European Community since 16th June 1998 and that are not exempt.

Are there exemptions from RCD compliance ?

The main exempt craft include:

• Craft intended solely for racing;
• Canoes, kayaks, gondolas, pedalos, sailboards, hovercraft & hydrofoils;
• Original, and individual replicas of historical craft designed before 1950
  and built predominantly from original materials;
• Craft built for own use, provided they are not sunsequently placed on the
  Community market during a period of five years;
• Craft specifically intended to be crewed & to carry passengers for commercial purposes;

Who is responsible for compliance ?

The company or person first placing the product on the European Market (EEA).
However, boat owners are strongly advised to check that a craft conforms prior to purchase.

What are the Builders Obligations ?

The Builder Must:

• Complete a Technical Construction File (TCF) for each model or family of craft;
• Produce an owner's manual in the language of the country where the craft is being built;
• Supply a written Declaration of Conformity;
• Label the craft with a CE Mark, usually on the builders plate;

The manufacturer must satisfy these requirements even if using a self-assessment module.

What happens if a boat doesn't comply ?

Compliance is enforced by Trading Standards Officers with penalties of £5,000 and/or
3 months imprisonment. Operators can encounter difficulties when travelling from state to
state or when selling their craft within the European market without appropriate documentation.

What is a Notified Body and what do they do ?

Notified Bodies are Government appointed organisations that will verify technical information
provided by the manufacturer before issuing EC Type Examination Certification or authorising
the builder to affix the Notified Bodies distinguising mark on the builders plate.

Currently a notified body must be involved in a Design Category A, B or C assessments
for craft under 12m.

TERMINOLOGY:

Design Categories:

A) OCEAN -
Designed to operate in winds of Beaufort Force 10 or less and the associated wave heights,
and to survive in more severe conditions. Such conditions may be encountered on extended
voyages, for example across oceans, or inshore when unsheltered from the winds & waves
for several hundred nautical miles.

B) OFFSHORE -
Designed for waves of up to 4m significant height and a wind of Beaufort Force 8 or less.
Such conditions may be encountered on offshore voyages of sufficient length or on coasts
where shelter may not always be immediately available. Such conditions may also be
experienced on inland seas of sufficient size for the wave height to be generated.

C) INSHORE -
Designed for waves of up to 2m significant height and a typical steady wind force of Beaufort
Force 6 or less. Such conditions may be encountered on exposed inland waters, and in coastal
waters in moderate weather conditions.

D) SHELTERED WATERS -
Designed for occasional waves of 300mm height and a typical steady wind force of Beaufort
force 4 or less. Such conditions may be encountered on sheltered inland waters and in coastal
waters in fine weather.

More Information:

For further details about the RCD, please visit: David Greening Naval Architect Ltd