[MHml] Multihull delivery gone badly wrong

[Alan Christoffersen]

Thanks for the references Dave. The ISAF rule for multihulls: 
http://www.sailing.org/offshore/2006/OSR2006_Mu4_250106.pdf  paragraf 3.07 
and onwards, clearly states required hatch sizes, for both escape and 
acess, in an inverted position, as well as a requirement for clip on points 
etc.

Apparently the RCD2 is going to be part of a new ISO standard, which is 
probably a good thing that will work against the RCD working as a technical 
trade barrier, and make it easier toimport some of the lovely boats from 
outside the EU.

I haven't got around to seriously looking at it yet, but it seems to be the 
usual CE stuff that looks daunting, until you start digging into it, then 
alot is common sense, (or not) but they seldom require really stringent 
testing, as this would not be politically viable within the EU itself, and 
all the lobby organisations work against this...

Regards

Alan Christoffersen



-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
Fra:	Dave Howorth [SMTP:dave at howorth.org.uk]
Sendt:	24. februar 2007 00:50
Til:	Informed discussion of multihull issues
Emne:	Re: [MHml] Multihull delivery gone badly wrong

On Fri, 2007-02-23 at 21:43 +0100, Alan Christoffersen wrote:
> I am pretty sure that the RCD (Recreational Craft Directive) or CE 
approval
> as it is now known - requires not only escape hatches, but for 
multihulls,
> fixtures on the underside of the bridgedeck to which you can tie on to. 
 I
> will look this up when I get the time.

I think the requirements you mention are actually found in the racing
rules[1].

The RCD[2] is a pretty cynical document that preserves the status quo,
IMHO. Look at the start of section 3.5:

  "3.5. Flooding

  All craft shall be designed so as to minimize the risk of sinking."

Then compare it with the complete statement of section 3.3:

  "3.3. Buoyancy and flotation

  The craft shall be constructed to ensure that it has buoyancy
characteristics appropriate to its design category according to section
1.1, and the manufacturer's maximum recommended load according to
section 3.6. All habitable multihull craft shall be so designed as to
have sufficient buoyancy to remain afloat in the inverted position.
Boats of less than six metres in length that are susceptible to swamping
when used in their design category shall be provided with appropriate
means of flotation in the swamped condition."


Section 3.5 is a general Good Idea (TM). But section 3.3 effectively
excludes all offshore monohulls! Despite Etap and others showing that it
is perfectly possible to make good unsinkable monohulls.

Regards, Dave

====

[1] somewhere in the references from:
<http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?MenuID=o6/~GX28zoMoD~%60RtK/DVc454NI  
CE_1OIDP%60V_5PHFsFnNoxKWtu>

[2] There's *a* rendering at
<http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2004/20041464.htm>. Whether it's complete,
accurate or current I don't know.

Cheers, Dave

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