Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code ANNEX 8 INFLATABLE BOATS STABILITY For the purposes of this Section, where vessels are to operate in fresh water, the stability tests defined within this Section are to be conducted in the area of operation, as appropriate. 2 Inflatable Boats or Boats Fitted with a Buoyant Collar 2.1 The heel test provisions stated previously are not appropriate for an inflatable boat, rigid inflatable boat or those vessels with a buoyant collar. Unless a boat to which this Code applies is completely in accordance with a standard production type (refer to relevant part of BS/EN/ISO 6185-1,2,3:2001), for which a certificate of approval has been provided for the tests, the tests detailed below should be carried out. On a boat floating in still water : 2.2 Stability Tests 2.2.1 The tests should be carried out with all the vessel’s equipment, fuel, cargo, activity related equipment – e.g. diving equipment – and number of persons which it will carry. The engine, equipment and cargo maybe replaced by an equivalent mass. Each person may be substituted by a mass of 75kg for the purpose of the tests. 2.2.2 The maximum number of persons which a boat will carry should be crowded to one side, with half this number seated on the buoyancy tube. This procedure should be repeated with the persons seated on the other side and at each end of the inflatable boat, rigid inflatable boat or vessel with a buoyant collar. For the purposes of these tests, the cargo may be assumed to be in its normal stowage position. In each case, the freeboard to the top of the buoyancy tube should be recorded. Under these conditions, the freeboard should be positive around the entire periphery of the boat. 2.3 Damage Tests – Inflatable Boats 2.3.1 The tests should be carried out with all the vessel’s equipment, fuel, cargo, activity related equipment – e.g. diving equipment – and number of persons which it will carry. The engine, equipment and cargo maybe replaced by an equivalent mass. Each person may be substituted by a mass of 75kg for the purpose of the tests: 2.3.2 The tests will be successful if, for each condition of simulated damage, the persons for whom the inflatable boat or rigid inflatable boat is to be certificated are supported within the inflatable boat or rigid inflatable. The conditions are: 1. with forward buoyancy compartment deflated (both sides if appropriate). 2. with the entire buoyancy, from the centreline at the stem to the transom, on one side of the inflatable boat or rigid inflatable boat deflated. 2.3.3 Purely inflatable boats failing to meet Section 2.3.1 may be specially considered taking into account operational service limitations. 2.4 Person recovery stability test: 2.4.1 Two persons should recover a third person from the water into the inflatable boat or rigid inflatable boat or vessel with a buoyant collar. The third person should feign to be unconscious and be facing away from the inflatable boat or rigid inflatable boat so as not to assist the rescuers. Each person involved should wear an approved lifejacket. The stability of the inflatable boat or rigid inflatable boat should remain positive throughout the recovery. 2.5 Swamp Test (for CATEGORY C and D WATERS ONLY) 2.5.1 It should also be demonstrated that an inflatable boat, or rigid inflatable boat or vessel with a buoyant collar, when fully swamped, is capable of supporting its full outfit of equipment, the total number of persons which it will carry, and a mass equivalent to its engine and full tank of fuel. 2.5.2 In the swamped condition, the inflatable boat, rigid inflatable boat or vessel with a buoyant collar, should not be seriously deformed. 2.5.3 A practical means of draining the boat should be demonstrated at the conclusion of this test. This should not include the use of electric bilge pumps. |