RCD???
Wanderer - interesting name for all it implies!
I don't think the RCD was intended to prevent people USING non certificated boats within the EU. The main intent was to prevent the sale of such unless they did comply. Otherwise every non EU built boat visiting Europe would need to be impounded.
I have done a short search of the relevant on line material and this is shown below. It is full of 'weasel words' and also may be ambiguous.
Several documents say the scope refers to boats "offered for sale" and use the phrase
"placed on the market in the United Kingdom and put into service for use".
This leaves me wondering if it would be possible to legally put boats on the market but NOT for use.
Further, and this is my point, NOT to put on the market AND put into service use would seem to be okay.
i.e. you cannot SELL the boat within the EU.
BTW: If your boat was imported before 16th June 1996
and you can prove it then it is exempt. Mine is.
The info below is only part of a whole raft of stuff and a full week of reading!
The
Royal Yachting Association in Hamble is the yachtsman's friend and link to government legislation so I suggest you try the Cruising Department or Manager by phone and enquire. Tel
023 8060 4100.
No matter if you are not a member (yet). Indeed if you hear good news, or of a way around your present difficulty, then you may feel favourably disposed!
......
EXTRACTS:-
http://www.bis.gov.uk/files/file11294.pdf
SCOPE
Design and Construction of Craft
Recreational craft intended for sports and leisure purposes, regardless of the means of propulsion, and measuring between 2.5 and 24 metres in hull length, personal watercraft less than 4 metres in length, partly completed recreational craft, and the components specified in Schedule 2 to the Regulations, whether constructed in or imported into the United Kingdom, may only be placed on the market in the United Kingdom and put into service for use if they meet the essential safety requirements (ESRs) set out in Schedule 1 to the Regulations.
Other Measures
The new RCD also introduces a method which will allow craft already built to be assessed to the provisions of the Directive and CE marked (Post Construction Assessment). This is likely to be applied for example when existing craft are imported from outside of the EU.
Placing on the market: [FONT=MCEBNG+Univers]The person or company who first places the product on the Community market is responsible for ensuring that the product complies with the Regulations.[/FONT]
PROHIBITIONS ON PLACING ON THE MARKET:
No product to which the Regulations apply can be placed on the market in the UK unless the following requirements have been complied with: ………
What the RYA Say
http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/regssafety/Pages/recreationalcraftdirective.aspx
Over the years the RYA has gained a wealth of knowledge of the RCD and how it should be applied. As much of
this information as practical has been collated and is offered in this guide. This includes the RCD mandatory
requirements, information on imported and home built boats etc. If having read this information a particular question
has not been answered then please email this to rcd@rya.org.uk but……
[FONT="]Please bear in mind that as an appointed DTi and EU approved Notified Body, the RYA is[/FONT]
[FONT="]precluded from offering consultation or guidance on specific aspects of the RCD.[/FONT]
