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All new boats offered for sale in the European Community must now demonstrate that they comply with noise limits set out in the amended EC Recreational Craft Directive (RCD). This is a mandatory requirement from January 1st 2006. For most power boats, this means carrying out a practical test. Although this can seem daunting, it need not be difficult or expensive if you have professional support. Our staff have been carrying out practical sound tests on boats for a wide range of clients for several years and are amongst the most experienced in Europe.
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Most of our testing is carried out using the SoundBuoy which keeps costs and complexity to a minimum. SoundBuoy provides quick and simple pass by testing to ISO 14509. It is a free floating device equipped with a differential GPS navigation system and a type I sound level meter. |
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A radio link from the SoundBuoy to a hand held PC on the test boat constantly transmits the buoy’s position. On the test boat, the SoundBuoy computer compares the positions of the boat and the buoy. Via a simple display, it instructs the skipper to steer towards a point 25m from the buoy in accordance with the ISO standard. At the end of each pass the SoundBuoy automatically reports back the peak sound pressure level and the closest point of approach between the boat and the buoy. |
Once two valid passes to port and two to starboard have been recorded the test is complete and the SoundBuoy can be recovered. An ISO 14509 compliant test report is produced to be sent to AV Technology, or other notified body for certification
SoundBuoy is launched and recovered from the test boat and can be used in any depth of water, including tidal waters. In strong currents it can be anchored but the guidance system can cope equally as well if the buoy is left to float freely. This leaves you free to choose the most appropriate piece of water without worrying about depth or current.
The system does not require a support boat and crew, and entails no mooring or anchoring of a second boat, so it is quick and cheap to use. The test boat can approach the buoy from any direction allowing much greater flexibility, control and safety.
We offer professional sound testing as a service and are able to respond promptly to requests for sound tests anywhere from Pembroke, through Southampton, to the Wash.
For further details on the RCD, please refer to www.britishmarine.co.uk.
For more information on ISO 14509, click here.
