The recently published MGN 681 (M) is creating waves in the marine industry. This UK-MCA protocol is a direct response to the danger caused by the increase in both the number and capacity of Lithium-ion (LI-ion) batteries onboard. Other flag authorities have stated that this guidance will be incorporated into future revisions of their Yacht Codes and strongly recommend that the guidance contained in MGN 681 (M) is followed on all yachts carrying small electric powered craft immediately.
The guidance contained in MGN 681(M) is intended to outline best practices related to design, equipment and outfit of dedicated spaces onboard, and to increase safety for handling, charging and stowage of LI-ion batteries and craft.
Many yachts today still have a “throw it over the side” approach. This involves crew membersdonning firefighting suits and respirators before using a LI-ion fire blanket to physically pick up and discard the burning and explosive items into the sea. The speed of these fires alone could invalidate these measures completely and it would be a massive risk to life and limb for any crew involved, not to mention the environmental impact.
So, what is the answer to this burning issue?
The answer as given by MGN 681 (M) is the installation onboard of dedicated, fireproof containers for storage and charging of LI-ion batteries. LiVault (www.livault.com) has been created in partnership with the leading manufacturer of safety solutions for charging and storing LI-ion batteries. We aim to provide technical advice and solutions for yachts of all sizes to manage the risk presented by these fires.
Currently, the only certified solution on the market is the RACLAN active box. It was developed for the home and commercial markets and is rated up to 1.75kWh. This box has proven the patented technologies within and gained DMT certification. It is available for sale today.
2024 will see the launch of the larger marine RAMBSS modular system which is rated up to 6kWh and comes in 3 height options for all watertoys with integrated or removable LI-ion batteries. This system surpasses compliance with the MGN 681 guideline.
