ICOMIA Technical Committee Meeting

Conference Report

Auckland, New Zealand

April 12, 2007

Large Yacht Standardization – ICOMIA initiative started with a meeting of large yacht builders in Düsseldorf in January 2007. Most of the builders at that meeting favored a standardization approach to construction standards. The next step happened here in Auckland where ICOMIA offered to create a division devoted exclusively to the super yacht industry. On the technical side,ISO Technical Committee 8, the ISO technical committee for ships, has recognized the need for standards for yachts over 24m. The first meeting of this group, Subcommittee 12, took place in Milan in March where the subcommittee organization was established and six topics were proposed for ISO standards. NMMA proposed that ICOMIA takes an active approach in sending experts to the ISO work groups so that each member state is represented in the development of these standards. (NMMA action for US). The committee also discussed the conduct of the TC8/SC12 meeting where MCA was voted in as a convener for one of the approved work groups. There appears to be a conflict with this decision since the convener is not an industry representative but an industry regulator. It was proposed that MCA would be more appropriate as an expert member on the WG, not as the convener where an impartial position is expected. The BMF announced to approach MCA and to discuss the matter.

ISO 6185, Part 4, RIBS, is out for comments.
ISO 15085, Man overboard protection, amendment up for FDIS vote.
ISO 10088, Fuel systems, vote completed.
NWI submitted for electric/electronic steering.
Nigel Saw, BMF, is the new CEN consultant to ISO.
ISO 10133 and ISO 10297, AC and DC electrical systems, WG met at plenary session and DIS has been proposed. IEC 60097, electrical systems in craft up to 50m, in conflict with these ISO standards.
ISO 9094, fire protection, agreed to revision.
ISO 11192, Graphic symbols, in revision. New convener of this WG is NMMA.
ISO 12401and ISO 12402, Life jackets and safety harness, has been revised
ISO 9650-3, Liferafts, in revision
ISO 10239, LPG, due for revision, no action.
ISO 12215-5, Scantlings, will be voted on very soon; has a number of changes in FDIS
ISO 16180, Navigation lights, approved as a DIS. ICOMIA supports pulling this standard and replacing it with a navigation light installation standard.
ISO 14509, FDIS Part 1, Sound assessment, is waiting for action from secretariat. Part 3 in review.
ISO has now gone to a 3 year review cycle so more standards will be reviewed every year.
ISO 12216, Windows, needs revision since recreational craft windows are getting larger than allowed.
TC 188 plenary session being held in London in June. Slots are still available for WG meetings. Standards summit will also be held there. Agenda being developed and agenda items are being requested.

Standards Harmonization–At the world standard summit last year, a program to look at ISO and ABYC standards was initiated. Comparison of standards was outsourced to Rulefinder. First standards to be compared were the fuel systems. Outcome will be two appendices, one for ISO differences and one for ABYC differences. Hope to have 10 standards completed in the first year. ICOMIA fully supports this program and has offered to distribute this information to the industry. ICOMIA will look at other worldwide standards systems to add to the program in the future. ICOMIA will also investigate future funding of this program.

New Approach Directive–Commission considering revising the current directives structure. Will look at regulations and decisions including Notified Bodies and modules. Issues include revising definitions, market surveillance, economic operators, items not covered in the RCD, and old product directives. ADCO is looking at the RCD issues, including status of private individuals, use of product, partly completed craft, post construction assessment, harmonized standards, modules and CIN. The RSG CAP group will also contribute to the revision. ICOMIA needs to clearly identify any industry issues and then present them to the commission.

FP7 Research Proposals–Three main projects in the recreational craft sector. Four million € available. Stealth program. Unknown what the projects are.

Article 2 of Directive 2003/44/EC – No new date on when the commission will be amending the RCD again. Other sectors seem to be a higher priority for commission work then recreational craft. ICOMIA sent a paper outlining concerns and will be active in a future RCD revision

RSG Update – The RSG is looking at a major revision of the Guidelines. Next meeting is in Brussels in May. Dave Marlow and Tom Marhevko will attend and represent the US. Hopefully, the ABYC canoe and kayak standard will be available for presentation. The ICOMIA TC also discussed the use of certification modules. It is believed that the countries that build for in-country customers certify to a lower module while countries that export, like the US, tend to use a higher module for certification.

IMEC Issues – Diesel task force is looking at the next stage of the emissions amendment.

Boat Trailer Regulations – NMMA requested that ICOMIA collect and library requirements for boat trailers in the EU. Four countries have responded. NMMA asked for ICOMIA to place acquired information on the ICOMIA website for members use.

EPA Evaporation Standards – NMMA presented the Penna report originally given at the Miami Boat Show on the pending EPA marine engine standards and the pending EPA marine evaporative standards.

Discussed the need for ICOMIA standards for FRP passenger carrying craft. The UK has a code for small commercial vessels that seems to work in that country. Portugal concerned over implementation of the passenger craft directive. TC members to provide comments on this directive to ICOMIA.

The TC determined that it would continue to discuss EURMIG issues even though these issues may not directly affect non-EURMIG members. The opposite also applies with the TC following US standards issues.