035/96

Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
MSA
Text
Adapt the appropriate rules to require any rigid inflatable to: Be able to withstand the deflation of any one of its inflatable pontoons and still meet the existing stability criteria. Have explicit instruction manuals and guidelines for maintenance, which must be sighted by the surveyor before a Certificate of Survey is issued. Have each pontoon numbered for identification and its method of securing recorded on the Certificate of Survey if the inflatable pontoons are interchangeable.
Reply Text
The inclusion of your suggestions that such craft be able to withstand the deflation of any one of its pontoons and still meet the existing criteria has been forwarded to our Rules section for consideration. MSA is collaborating with the manufacturer to produce precautionary operational measures which will be forwarded to all known NAIAD owners in order to avoid a recurrence of this magnitude. The manufacturer has also been asked to supply guidelines for maintenance to new owners. He has also agreed to conduct training courses for new owners, prior to them putting their craft into operation. Your suggestion that the pontoon identification numbers be recorded on each vessel's Certificate of Survey will be forwarded to the surveyors.
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