Gas, Safety and Safety Certficates

[magpie patrick]

Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, both our boats have safety certs, Juno's expires in 2014, Ripple passed hers on March 5th this year.

 

These are seperate but related questions.

 

1) Someone has come to view Ripple, and wants to buy her as a hire boat, i.e hire her out, he knew about licences and insurance but was unaware that the BSS is different. Now Ripple passed a hire boat BSS in 2005, and I can't imagine it would be difficult to get her baack to that, but I suspect standards have changed, especially in relation to gas, since then.

 

edited to add the question! Have standards for hire boats changes since 2005?

 

You might say why do I care, well another interested party wants her as a home (you know who you are if you are reading this) but is trying to raise the money. I've stated that while I'm sympathetic, if a good offer comes in before then I'll have to take it, but I don't like the idea of depriving this lovely couple of the chance for someone who then finds they can't do what they intended and perhaps leaves Ripple unloved in a backwater instead (or worse, hires the boat without any BSS, licence etc)

 

2) On Juno we have a small problem with the butane water heater. I have pondered getting it replaced, as aside from the current repairs it desperately needs a service, and they don't cost that much, but someone (not the gas engineer) has said I'll have to replace it with a balanced flue arrangement, which could be messy. Is this true?

 

Ta very muchly

 

Patrick

Edited March 15, 2011 by magpie patrick

[enigma]

This is the link to the Non Private Boat Requirements

http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/site/2002nonprivateonline_14.asp

Edited March 15, 2011 by enigma

[Tony Brooks]

Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, both our boats have safety certs, Juno's expires in 2014, Ripple passed hers on March 5th this year.

 

snip

 

2) On Juno we have a small problem with the butane water heater. I have pondered getting it replaced, as aside from the current repairs it desperately needs a service, and they don't cost that much, but someone (not the gas engineer) has said I'll have to replace it with a balanced flue arrangement, which could be messy. Is this true?

 

Ta very muchly

 

Patrick

 

 

My understanding is if you can find someone who is competent (as per the BSS & an insurance company ideas) and they will do it without charge then your heater can remain.

 

If you pay someone then they would be breaking the law if they were not Gassafe registered for LPG (marine) and if they weer they would be obliged by their codes (not law) to condemn it. I reckon you best bet is to hope a local forum member can do it.

[Guest]

 

if a good offer comes in before then I'll have to take it, but I don't like the idea of depriving this lovely couple of the chance for someone who then finds they can't do what they intended and perhaps leaves Ripple unloved in a backwater instead (or worse, hires the boat without any BSS, licence etc)

 

 

Ripple is a boat, whatever happens to her after you sell her on is not your concern....

[magpie patrick]

Ripple is a boat, whatever happens to her after you sell her on is not your concern....

 

In one way I agree, but in another I don't. If someone who wanted to buy her said it would be where he'd keep the heroin he deals in I wouldn't sell, and I suspect neither would you. Of course if he didn't mention this fact I'd be none the wiser.

 

It is degree not fact that is the argument here. She ain't being sold to someone who will either ruin themselves with a foolish business venture, or use her illegally. I am the current owner, I have an absolute right to decide who I sell to.

[Speedwheel]

The 2005 regs apply to boats used by the owner for private pleasure use.

 

If the boat is used for residential purposes or where members of the public have access (trip boat, hire boat etc) then the 2002 regs apply - not all BSS examiners are qualified to do this. Also for these boats a gas check has to be done. This can either be done by the examiner if they are gas safe registered, by a gas safe engineer with the examiner present, or (I believe) by the examier if there is a bubble tester fitted.

Edited March 15, 2011 by Speedwheel

[alan_fincher]

I think it is unlikely that the 2002 regulations that still relate to boats let for hire have changed in years, (probably not since 2002, I'm thinking!).

 

They were more restrictive in some areas than the 2005 regulations that Ripple would have to pass to be used as a private boat. Simple example would be that using only multi-stranded wiring used to be mandatory, I believe, now it is only advisory.

 

So if Ripple has passed this test previously, it is unlikely to have anything expensive that would need changing to enable it to do so again.

 

Not my area of specialisation, at all, but more pertinent things about BW allowing hire licence might be where it was based, availability of car parking for hirers, etc. I don't for example, think you could just set up a hire boat "base" on a normal BW linear mooring these days. (Can you ??).

[Chertsey]

Ripple is a boat, whatever happens to her after you sell her on is not your concern....

Well, it's certainly not yours then.

[Guest]

Well, it's certainly not yours then.

 

Don't think I said it was did I?

[Guest]

In one way I agree, but in another I don't. If someone who wanted to buy her said it would be where he'd keep the heroin he deals in I wouldn't sell, and I suspect neither would you. Of course if he didn't mention this fact I'd be none the wiser.

 

It is degree not fact that is the argument here. She ain't being sold to someone who will either ruin themselves with a foolish business venture, or use her illegally. I am the current owner, I have an absolute right to decide who I sell to.

 

Funamentally I do not disagree - but if I was selling a car to someone who I thought might be a drug dealer, it wouldn't stop me selling it to them, a car (read boat) is an inannimate object that serves a function, I feel the same about 'The Dog House' - it's a lovely boat but if we ever need to sell it goes to who ever has got the dosh, if I seriously believed it was going to be bought by someone with 'ill gotten' gains I would simply leave the matter to the police before the transaction.

 

 

..

Edited March 16, 2011 by MJG

[Kate and James]

Mjg,

Have you ever owned a boat/car that you really love? That you had to get rid of for whatever reason?

I have, just sold my classic convertible (it doesn't float and I wont need it when we're living on the water) which I've loved for many years, it's been a bit of a sanctuary of self in the whirlwind of life and I've been truly sad to see her go...

I had two people who wanted her, one who 'is a makanik innit' and another a chap in his 40s who'd wanted one for years and wanted to do her up.

My first option meant she'd be scrapped/written off within a year, my second is going to lavish care and attention on her and my beautiful car'll be around for many years to come.

The second guy came yesterday and picked her up... I even took £100 less to have her go to the right home.

Clearly you'll think that this is foolishness, but I know I wont regret what I've done, wheras if I'd sold it for more to the numpty I'd regret it every time I think about her in the future.

K

[Guest]

Mjg,

Have you ever owned a boat/car that you really love?

K

 

I've sold or disposed of several cars I've really really liked - you cannot 'love' a tin box any more than you can love a GRP one...

[Kate and James]

I feel very sorry for you.

 

(Edited to add, sorry to have taken this off topic Magpie Patrick)

Edited March 16, 2011 by Kate and James

[magpie patrick]

I've sold or disposed of several cars I've really really liked - you cannot 'love' a tin box any more than you can love a GRP one...

 

In this case you can. Ripple was a dream come true, and the day I took possession of her was the first day of the rest of my life after a disastrous marriage (which lasted thirteen years, but heaven only knows how).

 

She is also the boat on which Val and I got together. Moored at Fradley Junction, Val, who had joined me for a weekend to get away from her own horrible situation (she was mid divorce herself, her husband having run off with another woman) and I suddenly woke up to what everyone else already knew, we were made for each other.

 

The boat was in Fradley and we were commuting to Middlewich by car for the Folk Festival. The reason? I'd been headed for the Big Session in Leicester but Val suddenly found her estranged husband and his new woman would be there. So I turned round and got as close to Middlewich as I could in two days from Zouch.

 

I also have a lot of affection for Fradley Junction for that reason, and Middlewich (which is also my home town)

 

I feel very sorry for you.

 

(Edited to add, sorry to have taken this off topic Magpie Patrick)

 

As you can see, I've joined in...

[Guest]

I feel very sorry for you.

 

(Edited to add, sorry to have taken this off topic Magpie Patrick)

 

No need - heart of ice cold steel me..

[magpie patrick]

No need - heart of ice cold steel me..

 

I know you are being ironic, but given the efforts you went to to salvage my DVD of Val morris dancing (and your regret at failing) I don't think so. You're just wired differently.

[Guest]

I know you are being ironic, but given the efforts you went to to salvage my DVD of Val morris dancing (and your regret at failing) I don't think so. You're just wired differently.

 

[Rob@BSSOffice]

Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, both our boats have safety certs, Juno's expires in 2014, Ripple passed hers on March 5th this year.

 

These are seperate but related questions.

 

1) Someone has come to view Ripple, and wants to buy her as a hire boat, i.e hire her out, he knew about licences and insurance but was unaware that the BSS is different. Now Ripple passed a hire boat BSS in 2005, and I can't imagine it would be difficult to get her baack to that, but I suspect standards have changed, especially in relation to gas, since then.

 

edited to add the question! Have standards for hire boats changes since 2005?

No they haven't for the BSS, but there are newish BW licensing terms and conditions for hire boats concerning the hire operation of the boat which must meet the MCA Hire Boat Code.

 

You might say why do I care, well another interested party wants her as a home (you know who you are if you are reading this) but is trying to raise the money. I've stated that while I'm sympathetic, if a good offer comes in before then I'll have to take it, but I don't like the idea of depriving this lovely couple of the chance for someone who then finds they can't do what they intended and perhaps leaves Ripple unloved in a backwater instead (or worse, hires the boat without any BSS, licence etc)

 

2) On Juno we have a small problem with the butane water heater. I have pondered getting it replaced, as aside from the current repairs it desperately needs a service, and they don't cost that much, but someone (not the gas engineer) has said I'll have to replace it with a balanced flue arrangement, which could be messy. Is this true?

 

Ta very muchly

 

Patrick

 

If a boat is used either as a place of residence or indeed as a boat let for hire on inland waterways, it is in scope of the UK gas regulations. Any work done on the gas system not only has to be competent, if someone is employed to do the job, they must be Gas Safe registered. You might find it difficult to find a Gas Safe registered fitter willing to install a non-room-sealed appliance.

 

Hire boats also need annual Landlord's Gas certificates. A faulty appliance may prevent the issue of that certificate. I don't know enough about the checks to advise whether a non-room-sealed appliance would also be a barrier as well. You would need to seek the advice of a registered gas fitter (LPG for boats)

 

Regards

Rob