The new codes are now in place and serve to replace the existing brown, yellow, red & blue COPs by acting as one codes that covers all.
Certifying authorities now apply the harmonised code for new vessels.
There are differences, some subtle, some not. I have spent the last few weeks going through the amendments and cannot see any major difficulties that a well found vessel and operator would find.
For RIBs standards of construction for vls under 8m can be to ISO but for larger Vls they should be built to a standard that would meet SOLAS criteria.
RIB operators/skippers are to ensure that there is a safe position for all onboard. This is part way to saying that there must be inboard seating. It infers that if an accident occurs with a person on the tube then it could be questioned that the codes were breached by lack of seating ???!!
References also to hand holds, toe grips etc.
Present ISAF liferafts are out with ORC in (rafts already on existing boats may be retained).
Annual pressure testing of the tubes many other "bits" and I hope to detail these soon onto a spreadsheet and post on our web site.
All in all seems a good change and when we all absorb it will make the system more transparent eg. before we would apply yellow for PAX and brown for cargo - sometimes on the same boat. Now we can wrap it into one easily.
It will be interesting to see comments from surveyors as to its implimentation.
Cheers
John
www.quinquari.co.uk
War Shot
