The Australian Builders Plate is 20 years old; are you confident that you are up to speed with how the standard works? This member alert follows concerns raised by leading marine manufacturers about the compliance of new vessels and modifications being made to existing vessels. This alert is of concern for all members with an interest in the design, manufacture, sale and service and repair of recreational vessels.
One of the key standards that the marine industry works to is the national Australian Builders Plate Standard (ABP). The ABP sets criteria for the performance of a powered recreational vessel in way of loading, number of persons, floatation characteristics and powering. As a national standard, it is regulated in every State and applies to all new-build vessels and those entering the recreational vessel market for the first time, such as imported boats (new or used) or conversions of commercial, research or defence vessels.
While there are some exemptions from compliance with the standard (sailing yachts, human powered and more), and some variations in way of compliance options (PWC and inflatables), in general terms every recreational boat in the national fleet since mid-2006 should be compliant with the ABP, demonstrating conformity by use of either the domestic technical standard AS 1799 or international standards from ISO and the US ABYC.
Now in the 20th year of the ABP, it is important all BIA members – and wider industry – that interact with a recreational vessel, whether in design, manufacture, sale, survey, or service and repair, are fully aware of the significance of the standard, and that the requirement of compliance – and conformity with the specification of the ABP for each vessel – remains for the life of the vessel.
BIA is aware that from time to time there may requests from an owner or purchaser to modify a recreational vessel, such as by adding additional equipment or repowering. Data determined by the original manufacturer in way of loading and powering are particularly important to be aware of when considering any such changes to any vessel.
Any business undertaking such modifications should be aware that variation from the data listed on the ABP plate will mean that the business is then potentially liable for any non-compliance with the ABP, particularly so where there is an incident investigated by regulatory authorities or is subject to an insurance claim.
The opportunity to sell a new, higher-powered engine, or fit an extra bait tank, awning or seating, must always be reviewed alongside how to confirm whether the changes will still be compliant with the original ABP specification. If the data on the plate does not support a new engine – noting that powering changes may impact both safe directional control and loading of the vessel – then you should either seek to have a new ABP assessment carried out or simply decline to make the modification.
Any BIA member requiring advice on the ABP, including concerns about the data on a plate on the vessel being considered for upgrade, should contact BIA at membership@bia.org.au for advice.
