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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Jul 2020 : 17:42:27
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Hi folks,
We've got our BSS next month and the rules have changed since the last one. I've been through them and the only think I think I need to do is fit a CO detector. Is that about right or are there some other things that may catch us out. |
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df
United Kingdom
5991 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2020 : 17:48:37
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I'm sure most bss rules have got easier with "should" replacing "must" in a lot of places.
A CO detector is never a bad idea anyways.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
 Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2020 : 18:06:09
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Thanks Dave,
Daft things we've had to do for the BSS over the years:
- Replace a battery clamp because it didn't have a spreader plate in it. The clamp was so well attached we had to cut it off!
- Lag an exhaust (which I don't think you have to do any longer).
- Replace a perfectly good and unused fire blanket, still in the holder, because the label had fallen off.
- Replace fire extinguishers which are still showing a perfect pressure, because it's cheaper than having them tested.
- Replace the original Perkin's stainless steel fuel hoses with crappy rubber ones just so they have the right number printed on them.
Sometimes it does feel a bit like a job creation scheme. |
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DavidAshton
United Kingdom
53 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2020 : 15:54:26
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| I need a CO Detector, 2 new fire extinguishers with the correct markings on - all was fine but he suggested I got a cover for the battery as its on boxed off |
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df
United Kingdom
5991 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2020 : 16:07:42
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Rubber mats will do as battery covers.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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DavidAshton
United Kingdom
53 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2020 : 16:50:04
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| I used a seed tray - £1 from Sainsburys |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2020 : 20:44:56
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| Ah, yes. I'd forgotten about the battery cover. Ours is a few bits of scrap wood hastily screwed together. Not even a quality bodge but it meets the requirements. |
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geezee
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jul 2020 : 10:21:45
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Had a new BSS done two weeks ago. Only requirement was a carbon monoxide detector in any sleeping areas and a front and aft fire extinguisher. Depends on the size of your boat, I guess. Mine is a Norman 32.
Gee Zee |
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df
United Kingdom
5991 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jul 2020 : 12:15:11
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I have 2 or 3 unused 1kg powder fire extinguishers still in boxes, good pressure and no date, got them for my first bss on snowbird but old ones passed fine, the non dated ones came from argos, kidde I think is the make.
No date and good pressure and no corrosion = bss pass!
Always remember to give them a good upside down shake every so often or the powder settles with constant engine vibration and they won't work when you need them.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2020 : 07:47:19
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BSS passed so all good for another 4 years. Chappie reckons upcoming changes will mean we have to physically restrain the batteries from upwards motion as well as sideways. So another strap or clamp needed.
I'm thinking that if that strap is needed on a UK canal then the last thing I'm worrying about is the batteries!
Oh, and I got told off for not having filled in the "installed on" date label on the new CO alarm. A truly heinous crime against safety. I am suitably ashamed of myself.  |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 10 Aug 2020 : 22:31:45
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Ian,
I have heard that a Strap on is compulsory in the Fenland area, for canals, well maybe not....
Interestingly our old BSS examiner (Unfortunately now departed) always insisted on batteries being strapped down. We used belt ties secured to the floor & over the batteries.
Installed date on CO alarm seems a little over the top, as most will be brand new due to new BSS regs.
Hope yr are keeping well - Its been a while
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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cliveshep
Thailand
1324 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2020 : 04:24:12
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Now BSS are jumping onto the PC bandwagon expect the following in line with the current political climate.
The Department of the Environment and Countryside Commission advise the following revisions to the BSS examinations and associated legislation under new Acts of Parliament to be in force as from 5th April, 2021
1. Internal combustion engines now to be banned, instead the only allowable motive power to reduce harmful emissions will be electricity. (This will be 110 volt via shore transformers)
2. The Government will provide 1 mile cables (as we shortly leave the EU we will revert to imperial. The Government scheme means you plug in a 1 mile cable and head off in either direction and at 1 mile un-plug and pass the end to the boat coming the other way while you take his cable. In this way you can safely cruise at minimum carbon footprint and only need to put 5p in the meter attached to the boat to receive electricity.
3. You must carry at least 5 Covid-19 instant-test kits and not less than 200 disposable masks aboard at all times. This is for a crew of two. Add 3 test kits and 100 masks to this for each additional person carried over the age of 12 months. Under the age of 12 months is is permissible to use an extra Pampers as a mask.
4. From April 5th 2021 all "grey" water shall be filtered and returned cleaned to the boats drinking water tank. A limit on fresh water shall be imposed equalling 2.5 litres per person per day.
5. Communal showers will be installed at 10km intervals that may be used by all water travellers but not less than 3 people shall share a shower at any one time. Charges apply and there is a showering time limit of 3 minutes. Showers on boats will be banned due to water restrictions and all BSS will only be issued to craft that do not have a bath or shower aboard. Bathing in the cut is still permitted but the use of soap is not.
Inspectors have been recruited to ensure communal bathing in showers does take place, just because your wife and daughter will have to shower with some dirty old man is not an acceptable reason for less than 3 people sharing.
Note - 3 is the lower limit, there is no upper limit.
Finally living the dream!
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df
United Kingdom
5991 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2020 : 07:56:39
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quote:
just because your wife and daughter will have to shower with some dirty old man is not an acceptable reason for less than 3 people sharing.
Sounds fair, can I apply for the dirty old man job please?
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2020 : 20:18:05
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quote:
Originally posted by cliveshep
Now BSS are jumping onto the PC bandwagon expect the following in line with the current political climate.
The Department of the Environment and Countryside Commission advise the following revisions to the BSS examinations and associated legislation under new Acts of Parliament to be in force as from 5th April, 2021
1. Internal combustion engines now to be banned, instead the only allowable motive power to reduce harmful emissions will be electricity. (This will be 110 volt via shore transformers)
2. The Government will provide 1 mile cables (as we shortly leave the EU we will revert to imperial. The Government scheme means you plug in a 1 mile cable and head off in either direction and at 1 mile un-plug and pass the end to the boat coming the other way while you take his cable. In this way you can safely cruise at minimum carbon footprint and only need to put 5p in the meter attached to the boat to receive electricity.
3. You must carry at least 5 Covid-19 instant-test kits and not less than 200 disposable masks aboard at all times. This is for a crew of two. Add 3 test kits and 100 masks to this for each additional person carried over the age of 12 months. Under the age of 12 months is is permissible to use an extra Pampers as a mask.
4. From April 5th 2021 all "grey" water shall be filtered and returned cleaned to the boats drinking water tank. A limit on fresh water shall be imposed equalling 2.5 litres per person per day.
5. Communal showers will be installed at 10km intervals that may be used by all water travellers but not less than 3 people shall share a shower at any one time. Charges apply and there is a showering time limit of 3 minutes. Showers on boats will be banned due to water restrictions and all BSS will only be issued to craft that do not have a bath or shower aboard. Bathing in the cut is still permitted but the use of soap is not.
Inspectors have been recruited to ensure communal bathing in showers does take place, just because your wife and daughter will have to shower with some dirty old man is not an acceptable reason for less than 3 people sharing.
Note - 3 is the lower limit, there is no upper limit.
Finally living the dream!
You joke, Clive, but I think we'll definitely see some engine emission rules on boats in the next few years. That's our Norman 55 and a whole bunch of other boats screwed. |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2020 : 20:30:46
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quote:
Originally posted by adi-n-chez
Hope yr are keeping well - Its been a while
Adi
We're all good and nice to see you back.  As well as the big 'un we also have a lil' GRP cruiser on a trailer on the drive, which I accidentally bought on gumtree. Whoops!
I really resented paying for the BSS on that. No gas, no electrics, no cooker, no heating, no nuffink, except an outboard and a portable petrol tank. The inspector chap knocked a paltry £20 off because he basically didn't have to do anything except turn up. Since our first few trips out on it the shonky old pickup truck that tows it has decided to develop an intermittent clutch problem, a weird steering noise and a binding brake drum. Always more to do than I have time for.  |
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Fred
2007 Posts |
Posted - 11 Aug 2020 : 23:10:20
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Great to see some old-timers back!
Thriving too, by the looks of it - posh boat Adi and two-boats Ian!
Am I right in thinking it's about 17 years since Trev first set this up? What a lot of fun plus a useful bit of information sharing we've had in that time - plenty of ribbing each other but never any of the real nastiness that seems to pervade other boating forums from time to time.
Cheers, Trev and all the contributors.  |
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Topic |
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BSS changes
