Rescue boat advice!

Bobcat1983 · 05 July 2020, 19:24

Hi just wondering if anybody could give me a bit of advice regarding the regulations surrounding fast rescue boats. I have a plant company an do a lot of work on bridges and as a result the contractor supply’s a rescue boat. Basically I’d like to provide this service to the contractor and I am told I’d need a stcw fast rescue boat qualification And a suitable boat. Would a quicksilver 4.3 hd with 20hp mariner 2stroke be suitable for this roll and what else would be needed for it. Also would it need inspecting if so by who

SixtyNorth · 05 July 2020, 19:34

This document would be worth a read...

https://assets.publishing.service.go...e_-_Tagged.pdf

Bobcat1983 · 05 July 2020, 19:37

Cheers for that I will go though it tomorrow if anyone else has any personal experience would be appreciated ��

Poly · 05 July 2020, 20:57

I’m not sure STCW fast rescue boat is the right qualification nor boat certification level - those are rescue boats used on ships.

Bobcat1983 · 05 July 2020, 20:59

I thought that mate but that’s what I’ve been told I could do with speaking to someone in the industry

Mikefule · 05 July 2020, 21:06

This sounds like a massive and complex project. It's not just choosing a suitable boat and engine(s) but demonstrating compliance with a number of regulations. You need to think about service and maintenance schedules, risk assessments, qualification and certification in boat handling, rescue skills, first aid... VHF radio...

I suggest that you start looking at sites like .gov.uk where you can get regulations "from the horse's mouth".

Bobcat1983 · 05 July 2020, 21:10

I’m up too the scale of the task just finding it difficult to get the correct information mate.

GuyC · 05 July 2020, 23:12

I'm probably coming at it from the other end to Mikefule. I've dealt with rescue boats on motor yachts and the requirements were not that onerous. In addition the surveyors tended to apply their own interpretation so sufficient space to lie a casualty down became sufficient space to sort of let a casualty slump. Other than this requirement that defined the lay out of the boat most of the other requirements were met simply by buying a half decent SIB / RIB and kitting it out with basic safety gear.

I think if you refer to them as safety boats rather than rescue boats, it will probably smooth the path somewhat.

The outfit below have a few safety boats on their books and they don't look overly complex.

https://www.livetts.co.uk/fleet/

On the assumption that you are not a competitor to Livetts, you could give them a call and ask how their safety boats are certificated.

Alternatively ring your local MCGA office (Liverpool??) and ask for some guidance.

There will be some crew training required but if it is to 'simply' retrieve someone from the water if they fall in, it might not be too onerous.

Bobcat1983 · 05 July 2020, 23:14

That’s excellent mate it’s just a small op on a bridge runing until next year

jeffstevens763@g · 05 July 2020, 23:25

We do bridge inspections and use our own boats two men in the boat with PBL2 basic boat kit PPE etc stay on standbye whilst works are underway we are an ADC approved diving contractor working for the environment agency.

Bobcat1983 · 05 July 2020, 23:27

So a pbl2 would be the qualification?

beamishken · 05 July 2020, 23:31

I did some safety cover for a marine hire company, they were providing similar safety cover for a ferry linkspan construction job. The boat they supplied was one of those polypropylene pioneer things with the drop down front with a 50 hp outboard. As a driver all I needed was pb2 commercially endorsed (which I dont have commercial endorsement but they didnt seem worried). Nothing special carried in the boat for rescue or anything like that

Bobcat1983 · 05 July 2020, 23:33

I own a mercury quicksilver 4.3hd with a 20hp mariner 2stroke (extremely reliable) do yo think that would be ok for now if so would it need to be inspected

Tim M · 05 July 2020, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobcat1983

So a pbl2 would be the qualification?

It depends on where you want to use it. if inland waterways it'll need to comply with the local navigation authoritie's rules for commercial boats. Most follow the "inland waterways code" - Googling that will tell you more about what you need. PB2 should be fine.

If operating in "categorised waters" you'll need to be MCA coded (plenty of info on here).

The STCW course you mention is nothing to do with the above - that's certainly incorrect info.

Bobcat1983 · 05 July 2020, 23:48

Just want to say thanks for the reply’s I’m making some real progress on this now

GuyC · 06 July 2020, 00:25

This is possibly a first for Ribnet. It started complicated and progressively got easier.

Bobcat1983 · 06 July 2020, 00:26

Funny lol. It’s as complicated as u make it I suppose

SixtyNorth · 06 July 2020, 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyC

I think if you refer to them as safety boats rather than rescue boats, it will probably smooth the path somewhat.

This is the key point. Running a basic safety boat should be fairly simple. Rescue boats, on the other hand, can be far more complex, depending on the type of operation.

jeffstevens763@g · 06 July 2020, 09:13

as said it's about managing the risks it can be a simple inflatable up to a more complex boat for our scenarios we use inflatables with a roll in the boat jason's cradle for possible back injuries and ease/ speed of recovery. prob guards are a good measure too.
the link to a safety boat company you can pick their brains for more info to suit yourself

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