The Laws of Fiji
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A1.0
A1.1 Every approved boat shall be an open boat constructed with rigid sides, or an inflatable boat of a design type approved by the Chief Executive Officer.
A1.2 The boat shall be of such form and proportions that it shall have ample stability in a seaway and sufficient freeboard when loaded with its equipment and the number of persons it is licensed to carry.
A1.3 The maximum number of persons the boat is certified to carry shall be calculated as follows—
No = A/0.372
Where
A is the surface area in the boat available to persons sitting no higher than the thwarts;
OR,
The number of persons for which the boat is successfully swamp tested according to subparagraph 3A, whichever is the less number.
A1.4 The length of the boat shall be not less than 3.0 metres, nor more than 6.0 metres.
A1.5 All thwart and side seats in the boat shall be fitted as low in the boat as practicable, and bottom boards shall be fitted in rigid boats.
A1.6 The boat may be square-stemed and shall have a mean sheer at least equal to 5% of its length.
A1.7 The boat shall be fitted with internal buoyancy appliances which shall be so placed as to secure stability when the boat is fully laden under adverse weather conditions.
A1.8 Every boat shall be fitted with internal buoyancy appliances which shall consist either of air cases or of buoyant material or inflatable tubes of an approved design such that damage to one tube, will not prevent the boat from maintaining the minimum buoyancy and stability required.
A1.9 The total volume of the internal buoyancy appliances shall be such that it will float the boat, its total personnel and its full equipment when the boat is flooded and open to the sea so that the top of the gunwale amidships is not submerged.
A1.10 The centre of mass of the buoyancy shall be situated above the flooded centre of Gravity of the boat.