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CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FISHING VESSEL

If the proposed vessel is going to be larger than 15 tons, gross tonnage, the sections of the Regulations dealing with construction will apply and the following procedure should be followed:

Before starting construction, the owner should send to the nearest Ship Safety office as much of the information listed in Schedule I of the Regulations as possible, including data on the vessel's electrical systems. The Inspector will then reply stating whether or not the proposals are acceptable. The Inspectors may also request alterations sufficient to ensure that the vessel will meet the average standards of construction that have, in the past, been found satisfactory in that district, and that it will comply with the construction rules laid out in the Regulations.

The owner must also notify the Inspector when commencing construction and at the various stages of construction mentioned in section 44 of the Regulations. The Inspector will visit the boat during construction and, on these occasions, explain the requirements of the Regulations, if necessary. At these times, the Inspector will also acquire any of the information that the owner was unable to submit on the first contact with the Ship Safety office.

FIGURE 1 - TYPICAL DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM ^

FIGURE 2 - TYPICAL GASOLINE FUEL SYSTEM ^

Figures 1 and 2 show, in a diagrammatic way, typical fuel tank installations, which comply with the Regulations. The Regulations concerning fuel tanks also state that there must be a means of stopping the engine, outside the engine space, in addition to the shut-off valve on the fuel tank.

After the vessel is completed and all equipment placed on board, a dock and sea trial will be held at which the Inspector will be present. This will be the final test of the seaworthiness of the vessel. If everything is satisfactory, the Inspector will issue a certificate of inspection that will be valid for four years.

Figure 3 shows, in diagrammatic form, a bilge-pumping arrangement that complies with the minimum requirements of the Small Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations, where a single pump is used for bilge-pumping and fire-extinguishing purposes.

FIGURE 3 - TYPICAL BILGE SYSTEM ^

Note If all the bilge branch line stop valves are of the screwdown non-return type, then the non-return or swing check valve marked X need not be fitted.

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION ^

Figure 4 and associated notes describes a typical small fishing vessel electrical installation.

FIGURE 4 - TYPICAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ^

SMALL VESSEL ELECTRICAL DRAWING ^

NOTES

The Basic Information Required on Electrical Drawings is as follows:

1 Batteries; type. size, capacity, voltage and location plus method of connection and support. Battery boxes are to be lined with an antacid protection, protectively covered, and well ventilated.

2. Generators; normally provided by the engine suppliers, should indicate K.W. Rating, voltage and maximum current output.

3. The generator and battery should be protected by means of a double pole fused switch or circuit breaker.

4. Generators rated less than 25 KW, and not arranged to operate in parallel, may be protected by a multi-pole linked switch with a fuse in each insulated pole.

5. Generators arranged to operate in parallel, or any generator rated in excess of 25 KW should be protected by a circuit breaker which will open simultaneously all insulated poles and which is provided with adjustable over current release capable of being set to open the circuit breaker at 150 % of the continuous full load current of the generator.

6. Since most small vessels are too small for a switchboard, a suitable distribution box, capable of carrying all the required power to the various systems, should be substituted. This box should be capable of protecting the generator, the battery and all outgoing circuits from short circuit faults.

7. All light fittings and power receptacles exposed to the weather, spray, or drip, should be of marine type and water tight. Particular attention being given to upper deck fittings and navigation lights.

8. All cables should be of the correct ampacity, having due regard to size with respect to voltage drop, and are to be of marine approved type.

9. Method of cable support should include non-ferrous metallic clips or straps at least every 24 inches.

10. Navigation lights should be individually switched and fused from a separate distribution panel reserved for this purpose only, and connected directly to the main switchboard.

11. Main engine wiring such as engine starting, voltage regulators, control and alarm systems are normally supplied with the main engine and consequently, a sketch should be obtained from a supplier for inclusion in the electrical drawing.

12. Provision should be made for such equipment as Echo Sounders, Radars, Radio Telephones, 110 V.A.C. battery charging systems, where applicable, and an allowance made for spare circuits. Equipment of different voltages are not permitted to be connected in the same box.

13. Where voltages over 55 V are used on wood or composite hulled ships, a continuous ground conductor should be installed to facilitate the grounding on non-conducting exposed metal parts. The ground conductor should terminate at a copper plate not less than 2 sq. ft. in area fitted outside the hull below the light water line so as to be fully immersed under all conditions of heel.

14. Lightning conductors should be fitted to each mast of all wood and composite ships and run to its own grounding plate, separate from but the same as that described in 13 above.

15. Lightning rods, conductors and grounding plate should also be included but not form part of the ship's power supply system.

16. Notes on the drawing should provide information that would clarify the type of equipment or material or installation advice.

GENERAL NOTES: ^

17. Cable runs to Navigation Lights are to terminate with watertight receptacles (type KONDU V-6111 or equivalent). Navigation lights are to be wired internally with 2 conductor rubber sheathed cable to a watertight plug (type KONDU V-6115 or equivalent).

18. All convenience outlets are to be "U" ground type.

19. Battery banks are to be protectively covered with ventilation openings fitted with steel-gauze covering.

20. Cables will be secured with a non-ferrous metal clip no less than 610 mm apart.

21. All cables will be marine approved impervious sheathed X link insulation.

22. All instruments will be 250° scale, red lined at maximum normal operation condition.

23. Lightning conductor shall be composed of continuous tape or wire having a section of not less than 0.15 sq. ins. attached by copper clamps or rivets to a copper spike not less than 0.5 inches in diameter, projecting at least 6 inches above the top of the mast. It should terminate at a copper plate, separate from, and in addition to, the copper plate for the grounding conductor; of area not less than two square feet, fixed outside the hull so as to be fully immersed under all conditions of heel.

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