Scottish rules and regs re boats

[divebri]

Can anyone tell me where to find the regs on boats ie, does it need registering and what if any rules there are regarding operating a 16.5foot motor cruiser for sea fishing in Scotland.
This is my first boat that I am about to buy and any advice would be gratefully received

[Morgig]

Is this for work or pleasure? if it is for work then it would have to come under one the MCA's codes, which bits depends on what you are doing and how big it is.

It sound like it’s not going to be an out and out fishing boat but if you’re thinking of taking out paying passengers you will need to deal with the MCA.

If you need it coded I would suggest you contact a local naval architect or YDSA surveyor. They can then deal with the MCA.

If on the other hand you just want to go out fishing, these is not much apart from the RCD for new boats and if its a new boat the builder will have to deal with that.

The only thing to watch for is what category it is classed under in the RCD code, this dictates how far from land the boat should be used. The RYA should be able to help if you have any questions about RCD coding

[Dutch Peter]

Originally Posted by Morgig

The only thing to watch for is what category it is classed under in the RCD code, this dictates how far from land the boat should be used. The RYA should be able to help if you have any questions about RCD coding

Morgig,

Small correction, RCD dictates design category on wave height and wind speed!

[Morgig]

Yes my mistake, I should have said that the category is dictated by the wind speed and wave height, however this is dictated by the expected area of operation i.e., ocean (Cat A) down to inland (Cat D).

I think for the non- professional mariner its important make it clear for what kind of area of operation their boat is classed.

To leave it up to them to access the wind speed and wave height on a day to bases would lead some people to make unsafe risks.

I’m not sure if there has been any work done on it, but I think if you are going to have design categories based on wind speed and wave heights, you are going to need simple charts showing which areas the different category boats are designed to be used, i.e. it may be fine to take a Category C boat +60 miles offshore in some parts of the med, but not in others or the Atlantic.

[Dutch Peter]

I personally have some data on that. It turns out that there are two months where you can sail around the world with a cat. D boat (around the equator), not that I'm advocating to do so.

I find the dictation of category by wind and wave height better, it's much more universal. For instance cat. D is for a 'lake': define 'lake'!! I bet on the definition you make, exceptions can be found or special circomstances.

Anyhow, law is never perfect.

Regards,

[taniwha]

Dutch Peter is correct we can only talk about sea condition otherwise how would Alin Bombard have crossed the atlantic in an inflatable ? It is a matter of planning rather than distance. With a small fishing boat why would you not go deeper at sea if a high pressure is expected for the next five days. On the contrary i would not leave for a half mile when it is blowing 10 knots!