AWCC

MARCH 2010: The BSS have published two news releases on the storage and use of petrol aboard boats.  If you have a boat which uses a petrol engine for propulsion, or if you carry a portable petrol generator on your boat which you use on or off the boat, then you will find these worth reading.

These are available as down-loadable files below.

Petrol Powered Craft – Be Vigilant NR00110 Petrol powered craft – be vigilant

Petrol Dangers with Portable Engines NR00210 petrol dangers with portable engines

The BSS has further advice on the subject here: www.boatsafetyscheme.com/downloads/avoidingPETROL.pdf

The BSS website is here: www.boatsafetyscheme.com

In the past six years the BSS has recorded 34 incidents of fire or explosion linked to petrol engines on inland waterways and coastal boats. 31 people needed hospital treatment, including some in intensive care. In the same period, seven incidents of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning have been linked to generators and outboard motor exhaust fumes.

BSS has issued an urgent appeal to boaters who may remain at risk from potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning, to act on a safety alert from the manufacturers of Belling, Flavel, Leisure, and New World cookers.

Despite earlier warnings about the dangers and extensive efforts by the manufacturers and Trading Standards to contact affected customers, there are still around 12,000 appliances to be tracked down and boat owners could easily have one of these cookers.

The Boat Safety Scheme is advising any boat owners with the following appliances to contact the freephone number on 0800 342 3049 to have the appliance modified as soon as they can.

See also these websites

http://www.belling.co.uk/SAFETY-NOTICE_p61.aspx

http://www.newworldappliances.co.uk/SAFETY-NOTICE_p25.aspx

http://www.leisurecp.co.uk/cookersafetynotice/index.php

http://www.beko.co.uk/cookersafetynotice

The BSS have just released the attached alert on a specific type of portable stove with an integral gas canister.

“The release is made following incidents where people have been seriously burnt and is issued by the Boat Safety Scheme in association with Hampshire County Council Trading Standards.

There are many variants of such stoves and no single model or brand is implicated.

We have attached a generic image for your use and which is intended to reflect no one brand or model, but just a typical design.”

The alert discusses the possibilty of incorrect assembly which can result in the integral gas canister overheating with the possibility of a subsequent explosion.

The full information from the BSS is downloadable here nr00109-portable-gas-stoves-safety-alert-apr-09

The BSI have recently published the attached draft on the installation and use of solid fuel stoves and cooking appliances on boats.

If you want to comment on the draft, it can be accessed at http://drafts.bsigroup.com/?i=283

You will need to register with the site to get at the draft, but this will also allow you to comment as part of the draft review process. You will be asked to provide some log-in details and you will be sent password information via e-mal to allow you to login.

Once logged in, scroll down the page to find the draft (presently the fourth in the list). You will see the draft laid out in a sectional basis and you will be able to comment on anything relevant.

If you prefer to read the draft in paper form, the PDF is here:

n1-solid-fuel-stoves-in-boats-draft-for-public-comment-bs-8511

The ever-increasing cost of diesel and petrol combined with the easy access to unmanned boats, often in out of the way locations, has resulted in an increased number of boats having their fuel stolen through the fuel filling point. With the substantial financial loses (over 200 litres in a narrow boat tank) at stake, many owners are considering security measures. One type of DIY solution being discussed on the internet involves alteration to the diverter arrangements, and a couple of examples are shown. This may however invalidate your BSS compliance as one of the check item is:- Does the location of the fuel filling point ensure that any fuel overflow is prevented from entering the interior of the vessel?

On the above examples, the filling points are positioned such that any overflowing fuel is diverted by the diverter arrangement to flow over the side, not into the vessels interior. However to fit the locking mechanism in place the owners have drilled holes through the diverters. The question is, is the diverter still effective? There’s a significant risk issue to be addressed! The BSS are discussing what guidance to give. Andrew Phasey, our AWCC Technical Officer will be supporting the option to inform examiners and let them decide if diverters are “effective” in each case. Note. There may be equally as efficient or more secure means of locking the filler cap, such as hinged plates etc, that do not involve drilling through the diverter and would not bring your BSS compliance into question.
Adapted from a report by P Rickett
BSS Quality and Technical Manager.

1. HSE has announced that, as from April 2009 CAPITA will be taking over from CORGI as administrators of the gas safety registration scheme.

2. Examiners are unhappy with the BSS code of conduct not giving them the right of access to an owner’s boat following a complaint.

3. The new BSS IT scheme is not now expected to come into operation until 2009.

4. The Technical committee’s next meeting will be considering the following :

• Amendment of the BSS LPG gas tightness test to agree a test incorporating an
• allowable pressure drop across the system.
• A simplified test along the lines of the CORGI test for flame failure devices.
• LPG cylinder locker condition is being addressed in the latest advisory note issued by BSS.
• GET-U-HOME diesel injection hoses:  There are expected to be amendments to the existing tests.

5. The draft Code of Practice for the installation and operation of Solid Fuel Stoves in boats has been circulated to user groups.

6. The Green Blue initiative has been updated arising out of the Water Framework Directive and is now available from RYA.

MALCOLM WOOD
AWCC Rep. on BSSAC RED DIESEL