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Paul Smith MEng, Dip Mar Sur, MIIMS, AMYDSA |

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The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) |


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The Boat Safety Scheme |
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Links |
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Contact Information |
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The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) |
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To enable new vessels to be freely sold or transferred anywhere within the Economic Union (EU), a Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) was issued. This Directive, plus amendments, stipulates Essential Requirements (ERs) which have to be met and conformity with the ERs allows the craft to be CE marked. In simple terms, under the Directive, all complete boats first used, sold or transferred, for recreational purposes, must meet the ERs and be CE marked – by law. |
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However, it should be noted that the Directive only relates to the first use, sale or transfer, with no requirement for compliance with the Directive after that date. Further, there is no requirement for a vessel CE marked when first used, sold or transferred to be maintained to the Directive. Therefore, the CE marking of a second-hand craft for sale does not guarantee that it is fit for the purpose or has been maintained to any particular standard. |
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Vessel Structure |
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Protection from falling overboard & means of re-boarding |
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Electrical System |