GovWire

Notice to all shipowners, masters, deck and engineer officers, certifying authorities and surveyors involved with yachts. This notice should be read with the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code Parts A and B.

Small electrically powered craft and other vehicles (such as personal watercraft) are becoming more commonly used in place of similar petrol-powered craft or vehicles stowed on yachts. Whilst electric craft do not necessarily represent a greater fire risk than petrol craft, there are considerable differences in best practice for fire prevention, storage, fire detection and fire suppression of such craft, which should be considered when they are stored onboard. This guidance is provided for use where lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used as the source of electrical power. Batteries with alternative chemistries may present a different risk profile during charging or stowage.