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Message 4 of 4
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Friday 9 December 2016
Hi Ian,
I would say, for ease, download a copy of the Boat Safety Scheme Essentail Guide (free online) and has a read through. It should not be too difficult to get her through the BSS - but simplicity is the key. The gas bottle should be in an self draining locker (You should be ok with this, the battery connections need to be of the crimped terminal type (i.e. no clamping of bare wires) and all electrics fitted with suitable fuses / breakers and battery isolator- I suspect you have this all sorted already.
I would strongly advise using a portable fuel tank with quick release connection, as to install a compliant "deck filled" tank in a Pilot could be expensive.
I survey a lot of Thames based boats, so if you get stuck, give me a call and I'll try to help out - my contact details are at the front of the HOC magazine.
Best Regards
Simon.
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Message 3 of 4
Posted by member Ian Bowden on Thursday 1 December 2016
Thanks for your comments Rob, and I will certainly contact the BSS office for advice. My Pilot set up is somewhat differently, with a 25l plastic fuel tank under the engine (not strapped) but I would find it difficult to argue the tank is filled outside of the boat as it has no fuel line bayonet connector. So by my interpretation of the BSS rules I would need a remote filling pipe, with the fitting mounted somewhere on the stern deck - not a lot of room, so that it was not possible for petrol to be spilled when filling and end up in the bilge.
My port locker houses my Butane cylinder, which must not allow gas to be able to escape into the bilge, and must house a leak test point.
It is all sensible stuff, but it is how best it has been achieved by other members. Appreciate your comments though.
With regards
Ian.
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Message 2 of 4
Posted by member Rob on Tuesday 29 November 2016
Hello Ian
I have a Navigator and had to bring my boat up to boat safety regulations when I first put it on the non-tidal Thames.
I can only comment on an outboard engine with a plastic 25 litre petrol tank. I had a box in each corner of the stern. The port side is used for the petrol tank and the starboard side is used for the battery. The petrol box has a strap to hold it down. It has a vent on the side and a sticker stating the "fuel cut off is here". The lid on it does not need a vent. The fuel tank is filled out of the boat.
I believe you can also have the petrol tank strapped down on the cockpit floor under the outboard well as long as the fuel line is connected to the engine.
The battery box is the same setup(with securing straps and a side vent) except the boat safety examiner made me drill a 12m hole in the lid. There is of course a cut off switch.
The head office of the boat safety scheme are very helpfull and I have have phoned them in the past for advice.
It is best to check their website for updates in the regulations. My boat passed the boat safety with this setpup 2 years ago.
Hope this helps.
Rob
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Message 1 of 4
Posted by member Ian Bowden on Sunday 27 November 2016
I am contemplating taking my Pilot 20 on the Thames next June but realise I must have a BSS certificate. A first glance at the BSS website rather filled me with dread about such simple task as filling the fuel tank which at present appears to infringe about 10 regulations. I would be very grateful to hear from any Pilot 20 owner that has put themselves through this process to establish what one needs to do from a very standard basic set up to meet the apparently onerous demands of the BSS.
Ian
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