MOT for Boats?

whisper · 05 February 2013, 12:36

Do you think all water craft should have an annual safety check with a pass or fail like a car MOT?

Nos4r2 · 05 February 2013, 12:46

No.

Given our conversation in your garage the other day about cowboy dealers/marine 'engineers' who on earth would you trust enough to do one?

Mextli · 05 February 2013, 12:57

No.

Else it would be the end of budget restoring projects.

andyhuddy · 05 February 2013, 13:07

No!

Boating costs enough as it is

Cookee · 05 February 2013, 13:17

I believe river boats need a safety certificate already?

j.i.wilson · 05 February 2013, 13:17

Mmmmmm controversial!

How's about a compulsory licence/test for the helmsman?

(o:

Ian M · 05 February 2013, 13:19

No, because for me getting on the water means getting away from all that c__p! There is too much regulation on shore, lets not take it off shore with us.
Isn't it self regulating anyway, those that have safety as a prime requirement enjoy the water safely and come back for more, those that don't will probably figure in the Darwin Awards, or at least be put off for life.
I think that safety on the water is far more about how a particular craft is used, rather than any inherent fault that would be picked up by an 'MOT'.

tonto · 05 February 2013, 13:22

I will sit on the fence.

I agree it is on the face of it a good idea, and would not be opposed to it, just as I believe licencing, and training should be mandatory, and it would be a way to ensure that owners have lifejackets, flares and a seaworthy boat, but it then leads on to enforcment.

People would get away with not having it, You could make it a requirement for insurance, but then people would not insure the boats. Then who will do the inspection, I can see it would be a nice little earner for some, and would be open to abuse by others. To make it workable you would need a similar system the the current MOT for cars, and computerised records, and sanctions to the testing station if there were boats being passed that were not fit. A beaurocratic nightmare. It would be easier to insist everyone is trained and insured!

You could get Harbour Masters to try to enforce it at the slips, or before someone uses a mooring, but then smaller craft will launch off beaches, and larger ones will try to beach launch in order to avoid it. I have no doubt it works in other countries, and it might be worth looking at, but at the moment I can not see a way that it could work with our current rules (or lack of!)

The majority of Rib Netters I am sure would probably pass a rudimentary MOT, I guess a bit like the one the RNLI runs,used to be called Boat check was it?

Talking of which, I must remember to book one next time I am home!

m chappelow · 05 February 2013, 13:44

Hull Structural ( survey )test or a safety equipment check like the RNLI (free sea check ) where hull structure doesn't come into it & it's just the safety / emergency equipment that's advised upon .

Think most marine insurers would have a field day especially if any armature or d.i.y work has been carried out on the actual structure of the boat or hull .
Then How far will the test go just basic or deep intrusive tests into osmosis, cracks , moisture content . Fittings tested such as rigging , shackles , material specs . Competence of who did the work then as everything else such as mot tests there are testers that are looking to fail & those who perhaps know about things & may pass the same vehicle .

I

Mextli · 05 February 2013, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

Then How far will the test go just basic or deep intrusive tests into osmosis, cracks , moisture content .

Then there wouldn't be any Seariders left on the waters...

PeterM · 05 February 2013, 13:51

Hmm- my anser would be a loud 'no' .....for example you may never get an MOT for say your Y boat to go more than a mile from shore or its mothership - that doesn't mean its dangerous for you go across the solent - mainly down to you knowing how to drive it...

Which leads me back to skipper traning and experiance

which I think should be/ is needed....

Ribochet · 05 February 2013, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

Do you think all water craft should have an annual safety check with a pass or fail like a car MOT?

willk · 05 February 2013, 13:59

Oh God no. It would eliminate one of my favourite things - badmouthing other people's boats...

"Jayz - wud ye lukkit the shape of that one - sure a tea chest would bate it"

tonto · 05 February 2013, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

Think most marine insurers would have a field day especially if any armature or d.i.y work has been carried out on the actual structure of the boat or hull .
Then How far will the test go just basic or deep intrusive tests into osmosis, cracks , moisture content . Fittings tested such as rigging , shackles , material specs . Competence of who did the work then as everything else such as mot tests there are testers that are looking to fail & those who perhaps know about things & may pass the same vehicle .

I

If comparable to a Vehicle MT, having private work done on a car does not preclude it being insured or MOT'ed if that was the case there would be no cars older than 10 years on the road! Any work I have done on my vehicle does not need a certificate from a qualified mechanic in order to pass an MOT, so private work done on a boat will pass (as long as it looks or appears to be sound)

As for all the other technical tests, do you think your average MOT station goes into stress fracture testing mettalurgical tests on your chassis? No way, he hits it with a bloody hammer, and if a hole appears it fails for rust!

If a test were just basic safety equipment, and general condition of the hull, tubes etc, most of ribnetters boats would pass.

Gary

Trell · 05 February 2013, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

Do you think all water craft should have an annual safety check with a pass or fail like a car MOT?

Well that's gone down like a cup of cold sick !

whisper · 05 February 2013, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

I believe river boats need a safety certificate already?

Yep, here you go:

Private Boats | Boat Safety Scheme

whisper · 05 February 2013, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trell

Well that's gone down like a cup of cold sick !

I'm not saying there should or shouldn't be

But if the cost was £29.99 and it reduced your insurance by the same if not more?

biffer · 05 February 2013, 15:26

NO. It would lead to less people looking after there own boats and thinking that they got a ticket so let go to where ever
YES to some form of maintenance training. Just basic stuff like trailer. Filters. Plugs. Steering. Greasing. Etc.
I shouldn't say this really as its my job. Who wants to do a course!

whisper · 05 February 2013, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

YES to some form of maintenance training. Just basic stuff like trailer. Filters. Plugs. Steering. Greasing. Etc.
I shouldn't say this really as its my job. Who wants to do a course!

Now that would be a great idea

I could do with a course on bending and welding Stainless Steel

m chappelow · 05 February 2013, 15:50

The boat certificate for inland waterways though is in general for the live a boards types covering engine fuel lines , exhaust gas , pollution , domestic cooking heating flues & gas installations ,
When it first came out the marine engineers at our local canal could not get hold of some of the specifications on some of the flexible fuel hose required infact the specs were just short if something NASA were using for the space shuttle , on review at a meeting held to see how it was going it was then decided ( oh right we dident know ) so was that was amended .
The certificate also dident cover open decked day boats using portable cooking equipment or outboard engines as long as the fuel lines have original crimped ends so jubilee clips are out though you could use jubilee clips on calor gas lines .