Safety check

[Capt. Wanabe]

In anticipation of the eventual Safety Check by the USCG I went to the website of the USCG Auxiliary and looked at their Virtual Safety Check. (http://www.safetyseal.net/what_is_vsc.asp) Under item #6 "Ventilation", is a paragraph that states,
"Boats with closed fuel tank compartments built after 1 August 1978 must meet requirements by displaying a "certificate of compliance." Boats built before that date must have either natural or powered ventilation in the fuel tank compartment."
I have looked for that "certificate" everywhere and can't find it. There is a manufacturers sticker next to the AC panel that states the boat complied with all of the USCG requirements at the time of manufacture but no mention of a certified fuel tank. Has anyone else looked for and found this certificate?

 

[Rhapsody]

On our 29 it's a plaque fixed to the right side wall under the sink area. We had Andrew point it out last time he was on the boat.

 

[Levitation]

Hmm, news to me on a diesel boat... If so, where is it on an R25 Classic?

 

[Rhapsody]

My bad... think the plaques under the sink area are - Item 10 - Pollution Placard & Item 11 - MARPOL Trash Placard. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Capt. Wanabe]

Couldn't find the MARPOL or polution thing either so at least that helps. And if I can't find those I've been told they can be purchased at West Marine. The tank certification has me stumped, though.
Frank

 

[tuggertoy]

Frank,

As a fully qualified Vessel Safety Examiner with my local US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla I can tell you that this requirement pertains only to gasoline powered vessels.

For added assurance here is a quote from the ABYC website in regards to the ventilation standards for diesel powered vessels:

"ABYC Standard H-32, Ventilation Of Boats Using Diesel Fuel states "power or natural ventilation is not required on a diesel boat, but may be used to control compartment temperature." The standard also provides guidance on other ventilation considerations such as supplying necessary combustion air, venting hydrogen gas from batteries when appropriate, and removing the discharge from fixed gaseous fire extinguishing systems."

However, if there is a gasoline powered generator on board then all of the requirements for a gas driven vessel would be in effect in regards to fuel storage and ventilation.

Hope this puts your mind at rest.

Eric

 

[Capt. Wanabe]

Perfect. That's what I wanted to hear.
Frank

 

[rt11002003]

This topic has started me thinking. My CS30 has an electrical ventilation system for the diesel engine compartment. It runs all the time the engine is running, drives me crazy. 😉 I haven't owned the boat very long, but don't recall seeing any air inlet vents for the engine compartments. M/B the ventilation system is actually providing the air supply. I'll have to check that out.

gene