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• Electrical Safety

• Safe Living with Electricity

• Boating & Water Safety

• Pleasure Vessels & Marinas

Electrical installations in pleasure vessels must be installed and maintained in a safe condition and operated safely.

A person, such as marina operator, who supplies electricity to a pleasure vessel must ensure the vessel is electrically safe before they connect the supply. They verify the vessels electrical safety by sighting a current Warrant of Electrical Fitness.  The Warrant of Electrical Fitness is valid for four years from the date of issue and can be obtained from any competent licensed electrical worker.

Marinas

If you are connecting your pleasure vessel to a shore supply - for example at a boating marina - remember:

On Arrival

1. Check the value of the low-voltage electrical supply at your berth and whether it is supplied from a shore-side isolating transformer. The frequency of the supply will be 50 Hz.
2. Check that the socket-outlet you've been provided with will accommodate the plug on your supply cord and check the maximum available current.
3. Where a craft is provided with more than one low-voltage electrical supply, each supply must have the same method of connection: that is, by connection through an isolating transformer with the hull and conductive parts bonded, or by connection without an isolating transformer.
4. Take precautions to prevent the supply lead from sagging or from falling into the water. In particular, check that neither end of the supply lead could fall into the water if it should become disengaged.
5. Only one craft supply lead should be connected to any one socket-outlet.
6. The supply lead should be in one length, and should not be used while coiled.
7. The entry of moisture and salt into a craft’s appliance inlet can cause a hazard. Examine it carefully and clean it before connecting to the marina low-voltage electrical supply.
8. It is dangerous for unskilled persons to attempt repairs or alterations. If any difficulty arises, consult a licensed electrician or, if at a marina, consult the marina management.

Before Leaving the Marina:

1. Ensure that the marina low-voltage electrical supply is switched off and that the supply lead is disconnected.
2. The supply lead should be disconnected first from the marina socket-outlet, and then from the craft appliance inlet. Any cover that may be provided to protect the appliance inlet from the weather should be securely replaced. The supply lead should be coiled up and stored in a dry location where it will not be damaged.