Bespoke Whaly boat configurations are no problem thanks to our on-site workshop and extensive in-house experience. Aesthetic and practicality are usually the drivers but our latest Whaly customer needed a boat to be MCA ‘Workboat 3’ CAT 6 compliant. Here's the story.
Back in September at Southampton International Boat Show, we were approached by an engineer from an Isle of Wight construction company that had been contracted to carry out essential works on Portsmouth’s harbour walls. Their support vessel needed to be stable and durable and comply with the latest MCA Workboat Code 3 – Category 6, certified for four persons.
A Whaly starts out as a bare hull. From there, the ideal boat can be built using seat boxes, benches, a console, fuel tank, bilge pump, steering wheel, windscreen, audio equipment, marine electronics, navigation parts, safety equipment etc. and of course an electric or petrol outboard. The Whaly 500R (Pro), selected by the client, makes an ideal workboat.
The Whaly 500R Professional is an incredibly robust, double-walled boat manufactured from high-grade Polyethylene. The R (Pro) version is the preferred choice for professional use as a work boat and rescue operations. The boat is low maintenance, self-draining and is produced in 100% colour-fast Polyethylene. It can be rigged with an engine up to 60hp - very handy when speed is of the essence. Just under 5m in length it is rated for up 10 persons. Red, grey and yellow are popular choices.
The Workboat Code Edition 3 from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency sets out a code of practice relating to the safety of small workboats and pilot boats. No less than 349 pages long, there is a lot to digest and understand what applies in a particular scenario.
The list of equipment was extensive. Items included:
- Hydraulic steering and remote control
- 4 seats (folding)
- Safety Grab rails
- PE Light Bar Moulded
- 4 x LED Worklights
- PE Side Rails Moulded
- Fire extinguisher(s)
- MCA Coding Grab rails
- MCA Certification VHF Antenna
- Electronics Echomap UHD72CV + VHF115i
- Hand Held VHF DSC
- Tohatsu MFS60 EPTL - High Thrust Propeller
- Water separating filter
- Life-raft 4 Persons in container
- Life-raft Mounting Frame with Hydro Static Release Unit
- Horseshoe buoy + 18mts Flotation Line + Fitting bracket + Stenciling
- Horseshoe buoy + Light + fitting bracket + Stenciling
- Horseshoe Lifebuoy Drogue & Pocket
- Radar Reflector Life Jackets-Solas Auto 150 + harness X 4
- Life Jackets- Solas Auto 275 + harness X 2
- Lifejacket Light X 4
- Flare Pack Anchor Ball + Pole + Flag Pole Socket
- 6mm Chain X 10m
- French Anchor 8Kg
- 12mm Anchor warp X 30mts
- Shackles, swivel etc.
- Emergency Tiller.
- Bucket and Bailer
- SOLAS Liferaft/Lifeboat
- First Aid Kit
- Torch
- Signal lamp
- Gas Horn
Recent rule changes now mean all crew and passengers have to have a forward facing seat with lumbar support and a grab rail. Along with the client's requirements and the MCA specification, the 5m Whaly was going to be packed with kit and safety equipment. Some careful planning was needed. The installation of grab rails, life-raft and weight distribution would be key for the 500R (Pro) to pass. Heel and swamp tests along with MOB recovery had to be passed.
