Life raft regulations, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific.

[GILow]

Hi all,

I've decided not to have my old liferaft recertified. Too old, too big, too heavy... too... you name it.

Started looking at my options and I see that the commonly sold, budget friendly brand here in Australia, Great Circle, offers a "Coastal" vs an "Ocean" model. Digging deeper into their literature, the cited difference is as follows:

"WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OCEANMASTERS & COASTMASTERS?
There are two main differences between Oceanmaster and Coastmaster Life Rafts. 1) The Oceanmaster has slightly more space than a similarly sized Coastmaster and 2) Oceanmasters are equipped with external boarding platforms to aid entry into the rafts while Coastmasters have traditional webbing and hard rung ladder and entry bridle systems."

So, at the significant price difference (30% more for the ocean version), and given that I sail mainly solo and would be buying a four person life raft as that is the smallest they offer, my main concern becomes regulations.

Is anyone aware of any regulation hurdles I might run in if I were to go ahead with my plan to travel the South Pacific and maybe New Zealand if all goes well? Do the NZ authorities insist on a particular ISO certification? I guess I mention NZ because I have read a lot about their regulations and how/if they apply to foreign flagged vessels.

Matt

[ahun]

That was before AFAIK. On a boat under Au flag, Australian rules apply, NZ authorities can't force their safety rules on you.

[JPA Cate]

GILow, for pity's sake, if you buy a 4 man one, take crew with you; otherwise, you need a 2 person, and even that may not have enough ballast for one.

Everything i've ever read suggests that making entry easier is a benefit in a seaway.

Ann

[GILow]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

GILow, for pity's sake, if you buy a 4 man one, take crew with you; otherwise, you need a 2 person, and even that may not have enough ballast for one.

Everything i've ever read suggests that making entry easier is a benefit in a seaway.

Ann

Ann, I know what you mean, but I do not seem to be able to find a two-man with a roof.

[NevisDog]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

GILow, for pity's sake, if you buy a 4 man one, take crew with you; otherwise, you need a 2 person, and even that may not have enough ballast for one...

I've also been unable to find a 2-man raft with canopy. Do they exist?

[I'm fairly confident the advice about NZ is correct: NZ authorities have no say on how much safety gear is carried by foreign yachts. There was such an uproar when they tried that I believe the regulations were changed, though of course any country is entitled to prevent any ship/vessel leaving port in a clearly "unseaworthy" condition.]

[44'cruisingcat]

My knowledge is a few years old now, but AFAIK there is no requirement to carry a liferaft in Australian waters, (although ridiculously this might vary from state to state) and Aus registered boats don't have to carry one in NZ either.

But consult the relevant authorities.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

My knowledge is a few years old now, but AFAIK there is no requirement to carry a liferaft in Australian waters, (although ridiculously this might vary from state to state) and Aus registered boats don't have to carry one in NZ either.

But consult the relevant authorities.

I guess I am curious about the subtleties of enforcement in NZ in particular.

Threads I have read here from time to time hint at a pretty “emphatic” attitude by the NZ authorities and I am sure I read of vessels flagged to other countries running into compliance issues beyond the obvious quarantine related stuff.

[DefinitelyMe]

Originally Posted by GILow

I guess I am curious about the subtleties of enforcement in NZ in particular.

Threads I have read here from time to time hint at a pretty “emphatic” attitude by the NZ authorities and I am sure I read of vessels flagged to other countries running into compliance issues beyond the obvious quarantine related stuff.

There was a case a few years ago where NZ authorities tried to enforce their regulations on a foreign yacht. It went to court, the authorities lost, and there have been no problems since as far as I know. Certainly we had no problems, and we don't have a large amount of safety stuff on board (certainly nowhere near what would be required for a cat 1 NZ boat). The NZ auorities were thorough and professional and very friendly.

[DefinitelyMe]

From Bermuda West as far as Madagascar and everywhere inbetween (including NZ) nobody has cared much about our life raft. I might have written the make and model one or two forms but have never been asked for certification details anywhere and nobody has ever wanted to even see it.

[Tillsbury]

Yes, NZ regs only apply to nz registered vessels. They will be interested in your biofouling when you arrive, but not much else.

Agree that you should look for the smallest possible. A big liferaft will take off with only one on board.

[Jim Cate]

There was a case a few years ago where NZ authorities tried to enforce their regulations on a foreign yacht. It went to court, the authorities lost, and there have been no problems since as far as I know.

It was a reaction to the losses in the "Queen's birthday" storm in June of 1994. Called "section 21", it said that all vessels, including those of foreign registry, had to pass a category one racing yacht inspection before they would be granted outbound clearance from Customs. For a couple of years it was a big issue, until a very determined American yottie took it all the way to the NZ supreme court, where it was ruled illegal and dismissed.

Since that time, foreign yachts are not burdened with the rule. There is no requirement for you to even have a liferaft, Matt, let alone a specification that it must meet, in NZ or any other place we have sailed... we have never owned one in all the years we've been cruising.

Jim

[NevisDog]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

...There is no requirement for you to even have a liferaft, Matt, let alone a specification that it must meet, in NZ or any other place we have sailed... we have never owned one in all the years we've been cruising.

Jim

Okay, this is news to me; I had assumed most countries required liferafts, whether on small yachts or large ships. I've always thought the cost of maintaining a liferaft far exceeded the benefit for frugal cruisers but nowadays it was unavoidable. Also thought how much easier to launch a "coastal" raft and carry any extras in a ditch-bag, instead of the overly-heavy but otherwise identical "ocean" rafts with 4-man supplies of water and food (as demanded under NZ rules for example).

So, can you elaborate? What is your country of registration? Do other countries have similar rules (certainly not NZ, where offshore sailing is clearly intended only for the wealthy). What do you carry instead? With no liferaft, do you bother with EPIRB?

[Tillsbury]

Originally Posted by NevisDog

Do other countries have similar rules (certainly not NZ, where offshore sailing is clearly intended only for the wealthy).

Re: the New Zealand regulations, they do make some sense when you think about it. NZ is unique among serious sailing nations in the there are no easy trips to another country. Everywhere is at least a week away with no trade winds, no back-up destinations, and a significant chance of serious weather developing during the passage that you weren’t aware of setting out. For a local boat, it makes sense that there are regulations regarding safety, particularly in a country where “she’ll be right” is a national attitude and bodged or poor workmanship is common.

Of course, a boat that’s arrived here has at the very least proved it can do the trip once successfully.

Coming from the UK, I personally think the list of requirements is an entirely reasonable one, particularly if you’re taking others. There’s an argument that a solo sailor should be able to do as he wishes, I guess.

[KiwiKen]

Originally Posted by Tillsbury

Coming from the UK, I personally think the list of requirements is an entirely reasonable one, particularly if you’re taking others. There’s an argument that a solo sailor should be able to do as he wishes, I guess.

Nothing wrong with argument so long as when you get in trouble you don't expect the taxpayers of a foreign country to come looking for you and to rescue you.


Preamble from NZ safety regulations for Cat 1

Passage or races of long distances and well offshore, where yachts must be completely self-sufficient for extended periods of time, capable of withstanding storms and prepared to meet serious emergencies without the expectation of outside assistance.



Fair enough when one examines the NZ Maritime Search and Rescue area, after all the NZ taxpayer will be funding any search and rescue


One accepts that Inspections and Compliance cost ( and it certainly is not petty cash), and this appears to be the major objections to owners of Foreign Flagged vessels wanting exemption from inspection, and in the case of many Kiwi owners also whose DIY shipwright skills fall short of acceptable standards.


For the solo sailor, it is only the individual's life that is at stake, for the family sailor, live as a family, sail as a family, but hopefully don't die as a family; however, for someone carrying crew whether paid or unpaid, the owner has a responsibility for the crew's safety, and perhaps that should carry an enforceable international liability, similar to that of an employer for the safety of employees in the workplace.

[NevisDog]

Originally Posted by KiwiKen

Nothing wrong with argument so long as when you get in trouble you don't expect the taxpayers of a foreign country to come looking for you and to rescue you.

So, if the boat has no liferaft and no EPIRB then there's no issue - there's nothing to rescue. Same argument is used in NZ about bikes and compulsory crash-helmets - without the helmet the medical costs are reduced - there's only the burial costs. At sea we don't even have burial costs. But nanny states like everyone to conform, no risk-taking allowed, stay home or go shopping, god bless 'em.

And don't get too upset about the cost of NZ maritime surveillance - they spend their days practicing anyway so may as well have a real mission instead of a fake one.