Faulty electrics, or poorly installed electrical systems, can be a real hazard and could place you and others at risk.
The provisions of Part 3 in the 2002 BSS Standards are mandatory for non-private boats where applicable.
This part of the Standards aims to minimise the risks from short circuits and overheating cables, both of which are a common cause of boat fires. It also addresses the potential risks of hydrogen, a highly flammable gas that is a by-product of charging your batteries.
You can reduce these risks by making sure that batteries are stowed in a ventilated area, that batteries and cables can't move around, that your fuses and circuit-breakers are correctly rated for the circuits they protect and that wear and tear hasn't left your system vulnerable to failure.
Good electrical practices can also reduce the risk of personal injury caused by electric shocks.