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UK Boat Safety Scheme help - Fuel Tank inspection
ajj001
Member Posts: 13 ✭✭
Hi
I have a '94 Rinker 265 Fiesta Vee on the river Thames. It just came up for the four year Boat Safety Scheme inspection (a requirement for the Thames) and the examiner didn't pass it because he couldn't examine the fuel tank for wear and tear!
I have tried contacting the BSS folk, but they are not good at getting back.
I would imagine it affects most sports cruisers where the tank is "buried" under the main deck with just a couple of inches showing.
Has anyone else had this issue? How was it resolved?
Comments
Not sure. Waiting for a call back from the BSS people. Some inland waterways over here insist that you have a BSS certificate or you can't leave the boat moored on their rivers (passing through is generally acceptable).
It's strange because the BSS certification lasts for four years and the boat passed back in 2014 (different owner at the time). I am not aware that the rules have gotten any more stringent so am confused.
Another issue was that the fuel pipes (inlet, vent and pump) don't have markings on them stating what grade they are, so they all need changing.
I had to look it up... LoL!
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=parking+patewayo&qs=PF&cvid=a31cf6939f464bd3be74776b10659f1d&refig=c0de7668988f4928ac5af877c04eab34&cc=US&setlang=en-US&PC=DCTE&ru=/search?q=parking+patewayo&form=EDGTCT&qs=PF&cvid=a31cf6939f464bd3be74776b10659f1d&refig=c0de7668988f4928ac5af877c04eab34&cc=US&setlang=en-US&PC=DCTE&view=detail&mmscn=vwrc&mid=3AB334992691133B03353AB334992691133B0335&FORM=WRVORC
Andy.
Andy.
Well, after a number of attempts, I got hold of the BSS. They asked me to submit an appeal (just an email to one of their examiners). Within 24 hours they got back (through the original examiner) to say that my appeal was successful! I just hope they don't tighten up the rules for another four years!
For anyone else in the UK who may come up against this, here is the core of my appeal....
I would like to appeal the findings against Check Item 2.5.3R (“Are fuel tanks.....in good condition...”) on the basis of the examiner’s comment “Access to the fuel tank limited to the aft upper surface....” on two points
Firstly, C’Est La Vie III was given a certificate in May of 2014 without comment on the condition of the fuel tank (BSS E R 267786 attached). Given that the boat has not been modified since that inspection, nor have the guidelines on assessment changed, why can the method/rationale used for the assessment in 2014 not be applied now?
Secondly, and not dissimilar to above, there must be many American “Sport Cruisers” of a similar design to C’Est La Vie that undergo BSS examination, unless they have been modified in some way, presumably they have passed examination and have set a precedent?
Also, for your consideration, during the exam, the examiner (xxxxxxxxxxx) did comment that “there was no evidence or smell of fuel” in the boat.
Finally, for information, I have attached a photograph of the engine compartment with the exposed end of the fuel tank outlined in yellow.
I guess the BSS is like the old MOT for cars?
Andy