Sea going vessels will include jet skis, hovercraft, RIBS, fishing boats, sailing boats and motor boats. How far off shore are these boats designed to go? See the RCD category below.
The paperwork for these vessels is usually in order and may include Part I registrations for sailing and motor yachts Cat A and B below.
Category A – Ocean:
Designed for extended voyages where conditions may exceed wind force 8 (Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights of 4m and above but excluding abnormal conditions, and vessels largely self-sufficient.
Category B – Offshore:
Designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to, and including, wind force 8 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 4m may be experienced.
Category C – Inshore:
Designed for voyages in coastal waters, large bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers where conditions up to, and including, wind force 6 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 2m may be experienced.
Category D – Sheltered:
Designed for voyages on sheltered coastal waters, small bays, small lakes, rivers and canals where conditions up to, and including, wind force 4 and significant wave heights up to, and including, 0.3m may be experienced, with occasional waves of 0.5m maximum height, for example from passing vessels.