Recreational Craft Directive

The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) is a directive based on the new and global approach for common trading practices across Europe. The directive sets essential requirements for the design and construction of ‘Recreational craft’ which it defines as ;

“any craft intended for sport or leisure purposes, regardless of the type or the means of propulsion, with a hull length of 2.5m to 24m, measured according to the appropriate harmonized standards.”

Since 16 June 1998 all recreational craft with few exceptions, between 2.5 metres and 24 metres in length, imported into the EEA for the first time, and home-built boats if placed on the market within five years of completion, must comply with the essential requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and must be CE marked to certify this compliance.

This has been achieved by establishing a collection of Essential Safety Requirements which each manufacturer must address. These Essential Safety Requirements will, for new craft, replace National Schemes. The builder, his agent or the person importing the boat is responsible for such compliance and marking.

The Recreational Craft Directive introduces several new requirements which the manufacturer must address including structural strength, stability and buoyancy.

The Recreational Craft Directive is enforced by the Trading Standards Office. The manufacturer must demonstrate ‘due diligence’ in declaring that his craft meet the Directive. Failure to comply can result in penalties which include 3 months imprisonment and/or fines of up to £5,000.

Application

The European Economic Area (EEA) includes all EU countries plus Iceland and Norway.

Put into service means the first use by the end user but does not include boats temporarily put into service for reasons of tourism or transit.

1. Placing on the market means the first making available against payment or free of charge.

2. Boats that will need to comply with the Directive and be CE marked include:-

• Boats built outside the EEA which were not put into service in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998.
• Boats built for own use if subsequently placed on the EEA market during a period of five years of completion.

3. Boats that do not need to comply with the Directive include:-

• Boats completed or put into service in the EEA (and territories*) prior to 16 June 1998.
• Boats built in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998 even if exported and subsequently re-imported after 16 June 1998.
• Boats built for own use provided they are not subsequently placed on the EEA market during a period of five years.
• Boats intended for racing and labelled as such by the manufacturer, his agent or the importer.
• Canoes kayaks, gondolas, pedalos, sailing surfboards, powered surfboards and personal watercraft.
• Boats designed before 1950, built predominantly of the original materials and labelled as such by the manufacturer, his agent or the importer.
• All boats entering the EEA for reasons of tourism or one in transit.

Should you be in any doubt whatsoever about whether or not your boat needs to comply then contact us.

Please consider this carefully as should your boat need to comply and you fail to ensure this you may be subject to three months imprisonment and/or £5,000 fine.

Bodrum Marine Services can prepare Technical Files, Owners Manuals, and documentation to demonstrate compliance with the Essential Safety Requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive. For more details on the EEA Recreational Craft Directive, MCA or National, European and International Standards concerning the construction of recreational craft, contact us.