Inspecting Boat Docks

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ScooterB

ScooterB

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NW Arkansas
Hey Gang, got some questions on Boat Docks. NFPA 303 requires annual boat dock electrical inspections and the Corps of Engineers here enforces that requirment. Which leads me to the real point: Does anyone out there have a check list that they have used to do these types of inspections that they would be willing to share? I have looked all over the internet and found various things but nothing specific. Not looking for anyone to do my job for me, but if someone has developed a check list that works, why re-invent the wheel? Thanks in advance for any and all help.

If anyone has any other thoughts or recommendations, I would appreciate that as well. :grin:
 
I would get with the army corps and see if there are any procedures available from them for your inspections. Here, DEP is very helpful with any questions we have(alot!).:) We do not do yearly inspections, sounds kinda dumb to me, but what do I know?
 
I got all the info they have and it isn't much. That's why they have us do it. They want a "certified" person to do the inspections. The NFPA document is what requires the annual inspections; the Corps just enforces (at least in our District). I do think it is a good idea for the inspections. We just had a 14 year old get killed (electrocution drowning) from a boat's bad shore power connection. It wasn't the dock, but the boat itself. Too bad they don't require them to be inspected. Could have saved that child's life.
 
ScooterB said:
I got all the info they have and it isn't much. That's why they have us do it. They want a "certified" person to do the inspections. The NFPA document is what requires the annual inspections; the Corps just enforces (at least in our District). I do think it is a good idea for the inspections. We just had a 14 year old get killed (electrocution drowning) from a boat's bad shore power connection. It wasn't the dock, but the boat itself. Too bad they don't require them to be inspected. Could have saved that child's life.
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is there such a thing as a certified dock electrical inspector?
 
Also keep in mind that article 555 only covers Marinas and boatyards, not the dock at a single private residence - see 555.1.
 
I am thinking of a checklist that I would use at the final punch out.
Cable condition and routing.
Panel and breakers.
Ground check with a meter.
Amp clamp the feeders with no load to verify no voltage leaks.
Condition of receptacles.
Gfi operation.
Lighting operation.
Maybe even MEGGER the cables to check for insulation integrity.
All billed out at T&M.
 
great idea!

great idea!

I think dock inspections are a great idea! See the recent news letter that Mike put out about this topic.There seems to be a growing number of lives lost due to electricution around docks.I think frequent inspections are needed
 
I want to thank all of you for your help

I want to thank all of you for your help

Just want to say thanks for all the input I received from the forum members. I did an inspection this past weekend and you wouldn't believe all the violations. It was truly an accident waiting to happen. Probably the worst was that they had only run triplex down to the dock from the pole and when they had brought into the panel, since they only had one ungrounded conductor, they landed it on one of the terminals and then ran a jumper wire over to the other terminal. The jumper looked about #14 but it was burned so badly that it was hard to tell. They had 14 receptacles on one 15A breaker and then they had a second 15A for the lighting. Can't you just see this unfolding? Some one pulls in their boat after a day on the lake and since it's kind of dark they turn on the dock lights. Now they want to get their boat out of the water and so they use the boat lift to raise it up. A recipe for a fire (or worse). So, now that I have done one of these I am seeing better why the Corps of Engineers requires that they be done (Besides the NFPA saying that it must be done). Anyway, thanks all :cool:
 
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