Keel and rig standard

ISO Working Group to complete new standard that already covers scantlings

Following the finalisation of the ISO small craft construction standard for scantlings earlier this year, urgent steps are now being taken by the ISO Working Group responsible for structures to complete the further part of the standard dealing with the all important keel and rig attachment.

Over recent years, a number of small sailing vessels have lost their keels at sea; tragically occasionally involving loss of life. As a direct result, the European Boating Association (EBA), supported by the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) and ISAF (International Sailing Federation), have committed their organisations to ensuring that keel attachment and hence the finalisation of ISO-12215-9, the new part of the standard, are seen as extremely high priorities.

A ‘keel structures validation’ sub-group of ISO is headed up by Robin Loscombe, in close collaboration with the convenor of the group, Gregoire Dolto from France. A number of leading yacht designers and yacht structural engineers have agreed to assist with this project and financial support is being provided by the EBA and ISAF. The work will concentrate of evaluating keel support structure and the aim is to bring about a crucial industry standard to eliminate as far as possible structural weaknesses at either new build or subsequent refit for performance or rating optimisation.

Robin Loscombe PhD C.Eng FRINA is a Senior Lecturer at Southampton Solent University in small craft structures, and has provided technical support to the RYA since 1998. He is the RYA RCD Structural Consultant and is a member of the ISO12215 Small Craft Structures and Scantlings Working Group.

Gregoire Dolto, a Master of Mechanics from Paris University and Graduate Engineer ENSM , Nantes, is Convenor of ISO TC 188 Working Group 18 the group responsible for the development of ISO standards for small craft structures.

Working Group 18 forms part of a Technical Committee (TC188) of the International Standards Organisation (ISO), which deals with around 60 standards for small craft, most of which fall under the requirements of the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD).

Founded in 1982, the EBA aims to ensure boat users are informed and consulted about EU legislation and to make their views known to relevant European Institutions. The EBA works on a wide range of issues that impact upon boating within Europe and when necessary make appropriate proposals to national and European governmental organisations. The EBA’s remit embraces environmental, technical and regulatory issues.