Electronics on RHIBS - How does the RNLI do it?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I haven't read it & can't quote it

Originally Posted by Poly

it doesn't specify a distance - it says:

"ER 5.2.1 The filling, storage, venting and fuel supply arrangements and installations shall be designed and
installed so as to minimise the risk of fire and explosion.
ER 5.2.2 Fuel tanks - Fuel tanks, lines and hoses shall be secured and separated or protected from any source
of significant heat. The material the tanks are made of and their method of construction shall be according to
their capacity and the type of fuel. All tank spaces shall be ventilated.
Petrol shall be kept in tanks which do not form part of the hull and are:
(a) insulated from the engine compartment and from all other source of ignition; (b) separated from living
quarters."

But the RCD does heavily cross refer to ISO* standards as ways of demonstrating compliance (although they may not be the only way) which may be more specific about what minimise and separated mean!

* Anyone who has worked with ISO standards and the US will know that "International" in this context usually means virtually every country except the US!

I knew you wouldn't let me down

[GuyC]

I would imagine RNLI vessels are built without consideration of any commercial pressure both in terms of the price of the equipment and the labour required to fit it.

For example you can easily buy an IPx6 or IPx7 junction box which will do the job of keeping the water out but if you buy an IPx9 junction box, it will not only withstand more water but the factor of safety over what it needs to achieve will also be higher. I expect this is the approach the RNLI take.

In addition the boats go in for regular refits well before time and the environment start to take their toll.

Just in case people think I'm being negative I'd say it is the least that the crews who risk their lives deserve.

Out of interest the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in East Cowes will show you round their facility where they build their RIB's and SIB's. It is a bit of a jaunt from Hamburg though.

[gpsguru]

Originally Posted by GuyC

I would imagine RNLI vessels are built without consideration of any commercial pressure both in terms of the price of the equipment and the labour required to fit it.

I'm going back 10 years now when I used to do a lot of work with the RNLI ............ the RNLI RIB's had purpose made housings that were designed in-house at Poole ........... IIRC the biggest issue they 1st had was the plotter and this was eventually mounter in a pressurized casing ......... they also designed and made the instrumant housings for the fly bridge on the all weather tugs .........