Last month, a critical update in the world of small craft safety was introduced with the release of EN ISO 15085:2024, focusing on preventing man-overboard accidents and providing solutions for reboarding. Developed by ISO/TC 188 ‘Small Craft’ mirrored at the European level by CEN/TC 464, this standard sets out detailed requirements to enhance the safety of small craft, providing a safer environment for users and reducing risks of falling in the water.
A Twofold Approach: Prevention and Reboarding
The new standard addresses two crucial areas: reducing the risk of falling overboard and facilitating the reboarding of individuals who do fall into the water. These objectives are achieved through specific design requirements for deck areas, safety barriers, and reboarding systems.
The document highlights the importance of crafting safe zones on the deck, called "Deck Zones," which are categorized as Z1, Z2, and Z3. Each zone has specific safety needs based on the boat’s operation and speed. For instance, Zone Z1 includes critical areas like the main steering station and emergency controls, while Zone Z3 focuses on areas accessible when the boat is nearly stationary, such as reboarding points.
Slip-Resistant Surfaces and Barriers
One of the essential features mandated by the standard is the installation of slip-resistant surfaces in all deck zones where individuals may stand or walk. This reduces the risk of accidents in wet or unstable conditions. Furthermore, the standard sets out the requirements for footrails and barriers, which play a significant role in preventing overboard incidents.
Footrails are required to be at least 25 mm high for sailing boats and 20 mm for motorboats, providing a physical boundary at the edge of the deck. Additionally, low and high overboard fall barriers are introduced, with minimum heights of 450 mm and 600 mm respectively. These barriers must be continuous around the deck’s perimeter and made from durable materials capable of withstanding external impacts.
Reboarding Systems for Enhanced Safety
A key feature of EN ISO 15085:2024 is the emphasis on reboarding systems, which are vital for anyone who has fallen into the water. The reboarding systems must be robust, allowing individuals to climb back onto the boat without assistance. The standard outlines stringent criteria for both rigid and flexible ladders, ensuring they are strong enough to bear significant weight and repetitive use.
This focus on reboarding is particularly important for small craft, as these vessels may not always have a large crew on board, making self-reboarding a critical safety feature.
Focus on High-Speed Craft
In recognition of the unique challenges posed by high-speed craft, the standard includes additional safety measures for vessels capable of speeds over 25 knots. These craft must be equipped with extra body supports and handholds, as the risks at high speeds are significantly greater. Moreover, the seat fixtures on high-speed vessels must meet enhanced strength requirements to prevent dislodgement or failure during operation.
Temperature and Durability Requirements
Safety equipment used in small craft is often exposed to extreme weather conditions. Therefore, the standard mandates that materials, especially plastics, must be durable and capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from -20 °C to +60 °C in operation and down to -30 °C in storage without loss of functionality.
Ensuring Compliance and Future Development
The development of this standard was carried out to support European Directive 2013/53/EU related to the safety of small craft. The next steps will likely involve developing specific guidelines for different types of vessels and further refining the standards to meet the evolving needs of the boating industry.
