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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:SAILING
Notice:Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::BERENS
Created:Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2299
Total number of notes:20724

1468.0. "Yacht Electrical Licensing" by 56743::BAHLIN () Tue Mar 27 1990 11:14

    Does anyone know if there are licensing requirements for people
    who do work on yacht electrical systems?
    
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1468.1WRKSYS::NELSENTue Mar 27 1990 20:475
    I know there is an FCC requirement for a person who installs an SSB rig
    to be licensed.  I have not heard of any other requirements for
    ordinary electrical system work.
    
    Don
1468.2Elaborated base noteVERITA::BAHLINWed Mar 28 1990 10:0817
    re: .1  
    
    Yes, I know of the FCC requirement.   This is required for anyone
    servicing things that broadcast; SSB, VHF, RADAR.
    
    I'm more interested in electrical.   There are standards set by the 
    ABYC (I think this is the acronym) for builders and I think they
    are self regulated.   I'm curious to know if subsequent servicing
    or repair work is held to the same standard and if so by what
    regulatory bodie/s (if any).
    
    It seems to me that, in a marine environment with the increasing trend
    towards electro-goodies, it is increasingly possible to create some
    real hazards.    It also occure to me that the requirements for marine
    electricians touch on areas that are unknown by land locked
    electricians.   I would want my marine electricians to be very knowledgable
    about corrosion implications of their work for instance.
1468.3There are standards for everythingVLNVAX::FRENIEREWed Mar 28 1990 11:3128
    After several years of freely wiring, rewiring, troubleshooting, etc.
    of friends boats, I had begun tobe besieged with requests from
    friends of friends fro such "help". I finally printed up some
    business cards which I hand out when the friends of friends come
    looking for help. Problem is, I can't get my own work done, 
    especially during the spring! 
    
    In order to be certain that I am within whatever legal bounds
    that exist, I have joined the ABYC. This is a self-regulating
    organization which has established ground rules, etc. for
    a whole variety of Marine work, from electrical, to engine,
    to fiberglass, to rigging, you name it. It is much like the
    IEEE.                              
    
    I will not work on any piers or docks. I don't know where the
    breakoff in responsibility is, but I don't want to find out the
    hard way. I will trouble shoot pier electrical systems, but only
    as a consultant, and will not make any repairs.
    
    Most of my work has been fixing up rats nests of wires strung in
    bilges over the years. Also instalation of depth sounders and the
    like. Wiring masts, rewiring lighting circuits, etc. One of the
    most frequent calls is for charging systems.
    
    I want my work to be in conformance with the ABYC, so should push ever
    come to shove, I'll have some legal standing.
    
    Don
1468.4CodesTUNER::BAUSHAWed Apr 04 1990 10:016
    
    There is a NFPA code similar to the NEC for boats. No sure of the
    number. Docks and piers are covered in the NEC code book NFPA 70.
    
    Bill
    
1468.5What is NFPAVERITA::BAHLINWed Apr 04 1990 13:512
    What is NFPA and does this mean one should have an electrician's 
    license to do commercial work on boats?
1468.6NFPA = Natnl Fire Protection AssnMSCSSE::FRENCHBill French, PKO3-1/22D, 223-3004Wed Apr 04 1990 17:059
    NFPA is the National Fire Protection Assn. They are a large and
    recognized standards setter. Our volunteer fire dept spends lots of
    money on new equipment keeping up with NFPA regs, the assumption being
    that if NFPA says "this is the standard" and you are not in compliance
    with their recommendation, you are open to significant negligence if
    anyone files a lawsuit, for not complying with prevailing standards.
    
    Bill