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The recreational craft directive is a set of requirements for a boat, guaranteeing that the boat is suitable for both sale and use within the European Union. Applying to the construction and design of a personal recreational watercraft, these requirements cover all aspects of the boat, from its construction strength, handling and stability; electric, gas, and fuel system installation; up to the owner’s documentation. Boats that need to comply with the recreational craft directive should have proper identification, also known as the craft identification number (CIN). This is present in a builder’s plate showing the CE mark, together with some basic information on the boat’s design. Under this design information are specific categories based on the expected wind and wave conditions: Offshore, Ocean, Sheltered, and Coastal Waters. The compliance with the essential requirements (ER) will depend on the design category, as well as the size of the boat. Boats in categories Ocean and Offshore, together with large boats under the Coastal category, should be built in the presence of a third party, like the Notified Body. The third party will monitor the design and construction of the boat. Boats under the Sheltered Waters category are likely to be self-certified by the manufacturer. Despite the variety of industry codes and standards with which boats are built, only the European harmonized standards have this presumption of conformity. The recreational craft directive came into full effect since June 1988, and has been implemented by the United Kingdom (UK) as part of Recreational Craft Regulations. However, there are products that can be exempted from the recreational craft directive, meaning they are outside the scope of the directive. They include canoes and kayaks, surfboards, sailing surfboards, any craft intended for racing (rowing racing boats), submersibles, hydrofoils, original historical craft, any craft build for personal use, external combustion steam powered craft and a lot more. The recreational craft directive is clearly enforced in Great Britain, where weight and measures authorities are present, and in Northern Ireland, in every district counsel. When proven guilty of going against the directive, the individual can spend time in jail for three months, or pay a fine not exceeding to a level five on the scale of jail fines.
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