Rescue boats with outboard engines: UK21/L014
Adopted EU recommendation LSA-058. UK approved recommendation on the testing standards of rescue boat engines.
Question
Paragraph 7.1.2 of MSC.81(70) as amended states, “…The engine should be operated ahead at full speed for a period of at least 2 min, and the towing force measured and recorded. There should be no damage to the towing fitting or its supporting structure. The maximum towing force of the rescue boat should be recorded on the type approval certificate”.
MSC/Circ.980/5.5.5.1 states, “For rescue boats equipped with outboard motor, raft towing or bollard pull trials may be carried out with engines of various powers to assess the rescue boat’s performance”.
The Type approval certificate should clearly state the type(s) of outboard motor(s) type tested with the concerned rescue boat as per paragraph 7.1.2 of MSC.81(70) as amended and listed on the type-examination certificate together with the recorded towing force for each engine.
Based on the above, can another engine of same horsepower and weight be accepted as an alternative without additional testing?
Recommendation
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The LSA Code requirement for rescue boats includes an operational test for endurance, speed and fuel consumption as set out in the requirements of MSC 81 (70)/ 7.1.2, 7.1.5. and engine operation test set out in 6.10.
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An alternative outboard engine (with the same power rating) may have a different towing power due to depth or design of propeller or fuel consumption.
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When a part of an approved product is replaced and the replacement part specifications do not tally with the exact description of the replaced part in the technical documentation used for type examination, this is considered a modification of the product.
Additional testing is required for the alternative engine as per of MSC 81 (70)/ 7.1.2, 7.1.5. and engine operation test set out in 6.10. All engine(s) and towing power should be listed on the type approval certificate.
References
• MSN 1874 as amended
• The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 as amended
• MSC 81 (70)
Items affected
• UK/1.18, Rigid rescue boats
• UK/1.19, Inflated rescue boats
• UK/1.20, Fast rescue boats
• UK/1.37, Rescue boat propulsion engine
• UK/1.43, Rigid/inflated rescue boats
More information
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/21
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000
Email: MEQA@mcga.gov.uk
Website: www.gov.uk/mca