Code for boats?

[electricaldoc]

I have a friend wanting me to help with wiring of house bouts for his business. The question arises I know NEC does not cover boats but is there any regulation on boats? If so does any one know what it is or where to find it?


Thanks
Dan

 

[hess]

Re: Code for boats?

i would classify it as a recreational vehicle

 

[roger]

Re: Code for boats?

There is a Marine standard on vessels and their wiring, but I can not tell you where to access it. I worked on vessels from 30' to a 90' charter boat 20 years ago, and the wiring methods were spelled out using this manual.

Try searching the U.S. Coast Guard.

Roger

 

[physis]

Re: Code for boats?

I'd be interested in knowing about that too. I'm kind of a boat guy, B I G boats too, but I don't know much about wiring standards.

 

[tshea]

Re: Code for boats?

Absolute best source of boat electricity info is a book that is usually available at West Marine called Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual: How to Maintain, Repair, and Improve Your Boat's Essential Systems by Nigel Calder.

 

[physis]

Re: Code for boats?

I'm not sure if it's cool or not but I've spent thousands at West Marine.

Edit: It was really hard to do too!

[ April 23, 2005, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: physis ]

 

[peter d]

Re: Code for boats?

Also try the ABYC standards.

 

[mc5w]

Re: Code for boats?

There is a chapter 5 NEC article on floating buildings which treats a floating building about the same as a mobile home.

There are quite a few localities that have outlawed 15 amp wiring.

I would use all nonmetallic type raceways and type UF or SE cable. Corruclad, which has an aluminum corrugated and welded sheath is a possibility. You can also get plastic sheathed type MC cable.

 

[edavis2293]

Re: Code for boats?

Codes are available through U.S. Coast Guard and for ships American Bureau of Shipping. We use these often with offshore platforms, drill ships, lay barges, etc.

 

[john m. caloggero]

Re: Code for boats?

Hi Dan: The information for houseboats can be found in the NEC Article 553, Floating Buildings.

 

[steve66]

Re: Code for boats?

I am not 100% sure 553 would apply to a houseboat. According to the definition, a floating building is moored in a permanent location. I don't know what to make of that.

It also says floating buildings are served by a permanent electric supply from off premises. Would a plug type connection be permanent?

I looked through the NFPA codes, and I am supprised I don't find any on boats in general.

Steve