Close that weedhatch or get sinking feeling!

Owners of boats with weed hatches are being reminded by the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) to make a routine of check of the security of weed hatch covers before setting off, if they want to avoid that sinking feeling. The routine should also include checking that the hatch seals are effective and are maintained in good working condition.

The advice follows a number of recent sinkings and partial sinkings where water ingress was through weed hatch openings.

BSS Manager, Graham Watts said –

“For boats with weed hatches, safety will likely depend on the effectiveness of the weed hatch sealing arrangements. Accepted standards for boats suggest a distance of at least 150mm between the weed hatch top and the normal waterline on the boat, but changes to ballasting or adding equipment during the boat’s life may mean the rear of the craft sitting lower in the water”.
“The boats stern will also naturally pull down when underway, but the disturbance of water from the propeller may test the weed hatch seals every time the boat is put in gear. So make a routine of checking the hatch cover bolts are tight before setting off and any time the hatch is used.”
“You should also, at least annually, inspect the hatch body, the cover and sealing gasket to see if they are still in good condition with no early signs of problems”.

Information and image(s) courtesy of Waterways Images News Release 31/8/12