|  We all know only too well about the RCD — the Recreational Craft Directive — after all its been with us since 1998! And so we all know boats between 2.5m and 24m sold in Europe — with only a few exceptions — need to be RCD compliant. And most builders of larger recreational craft will also know about and have probably needed the services of an RCD Notified Body to undertake some of the mandatory aspects of RCD assessment. But less well known, or as yet less applied, is the new RCD that becomes substantially mandatory as from the January 1, 2006.
This new Directive not only introduces limitations on engine emissions, exhaust and sound, but also requires all existing RCD Notified Bodies to be re-accredited and re-appointed. This latter requirement was one of the main reasons that prompted the RYA to seek and be appointed as a new RCD Notified Body.
What is the RYA?
Although I have worked for the Royal Yachting Association for well over five years now, in RYA terms I am still very much the new girl. Founded in 1875, the RYA, which received its royal charter way back in 1952, is the United Kingdom’s national authority when it comes to all forms of recreational and competitive boating. It is a user organisation with more that 100,000 individual members and 1,500 clubs and class associations, which means it represents about half a million UK boat users. It is a well-established organisation with more than 100 full-time staff and an annual turnover of about E15 million.
The association’s prime objective is to protect and promote the interests of its members and other UK recreational boat users. It does this in many ways — deeply involved with everything from managing the Olympic sailing squad to junior powerboat racing, disabled sailing to inland cruising, PWCs and so on.
My part of the RYA is with its Technical Department, which looks after any and all technical aspects of boats that might become involved in the association’s prime objective. This includes the RCD et al.
Why a Notified Body?
Back before I even knew that it existed, the RYA was actually working hard to try and make sure that the RCD never saw the light of day. In fact in 1982 this was achieved with the veto of the first proposed Directive. But the legislators eventually returned and by the 1990s, when it had become apparent that the RCD would become law, the RYA changed its stance to one of trying to ensure the legislation was as least onerous as possible. Lobbying government and the EU is part and parcel of the RYA’s prime objective as and when this would be beneficial to the boat user. This policy has been successfully extended to include acting as an agent for government as a way to further influence the legislators, as well as ensuring that any cost that might have to be borne by the end user is kept to a reasonable level. Because, let’s face it, it is always the user that ends up paying for everything. The RYA’s appointment as an RCD Notified Body is simply a continuance of our policy to get involved when it will ‘benefit our members’.
Uniquely beneficial to all?
With our prime objective to protect and prompt the interests of the user everyone becomes a winner when using the RYA RCD services. Boatbuilders will inevitably pass the cost of RCD assessment onto the boat buyer — meaning the user and potential RYA member — and so the RYA service needs to keep costs down. This is achieved through a streamlined and responsive approach both at RYA headquarters and in the field with our assessors.
At the same time assessment has to be to a high standard with no cutting of corners, because, should a boat fail to comply, it will be the user that will suffer most. The RYA always strives for excellence in any of its endeavours. Topping the bill in the last two Olympics with five golds, four silvers and a bronze in the sailing is just one example we should be allowed to brag about. Such excellence comes through in what we do. And it will be no less true with our RCD service. Our team of assessors, arguably the most expert and experienced of any Notified Body, will accept nothing less.
So, whether boatbuilder or user, the RYA’s RCD service will be looking after your interests.
| About the author |
| During her day-to-day work fronting the RYA’s activity as a Notified Body, Tricia Grady has found boatbuilding to a predominantly ‘man thing’. This seems strange to her as she says she finds boats fascinating, almost mystical, so can’t quite understand why more women aren’t involved. Prior to changing rolls within the RYA, Grady taught computer electronics and engineering. You can find information on the RCD on www.rya.org.uk or e-mail rcd@rya.org.uk
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