SPECIAL INSTALLATION

Marina Electrical Installations: BS 7671 Section 709 Guide

Marinas are classified as special installations under BS 7671. TT earthing is mandatory, every socket needs its own 30mA RCD, IP44 minimum on pontoons, and annual inspection is recommended. This guide covers every requirement for electricians working on marina shore power systems.

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12 min readUpdated 2026-06-10Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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What are the BS 7671 rules for marina electrical installations?

Marinas and similar locations are covered by BS 7671 Section 709. Because a PME (TN-C-S) earth can become dangerous on a boat, PME must not be used for the supply to a berth — a TT arrangement with a local earth electrode, or an isolating transformer, is used instead. Each socket-outlet on a pontoon must have its own individual 30 mA RCD and be limited to supplying one or two boats, with enclosures rated at least IP44 (IP55/IP66 where exposed). Equipment selection must account for corrosion, mechanical damage and the movement of the floating structure.

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Key Takeaways

  • 1Marina electrical installations are classified as special installations under BS 7671 Section 709, with more stringent requirements than standard domestic or commercial work.
  • 2TT earthing is strongly recommended (and often mandatory) for marina installations because PME (TN-C-S) earthing poses unacceptable shock risk in water environments due to the broken PEN conductor danger.
  • 3All socket outlets supplying boats must have individual 30mA RCD protection — not shared RCDs — to prevent a fault on one vessel from tripping supplies to multiple vessels.
  • 4Equipment on pontoons and jetties must meet IP44 as a minimum (Reg 709.512.2.1.1 / 709.553.1.8), rising to IPX5 or IPX6 for water jets or wave splash. AF2 corrosion resistance is mandatory for all equipment; AF3 applies where hydrocarbons (fuel) are present (Reg 709.512.2.1.3).
  • 5Elec-Mate helps electricians complete certificates for special installations, with AI assistance for the specific BS 7671 Section 709 requirements.
01 · Special Installation

Marina Electrical Installations: Why They Are Different

Marina electrical installations present a unique combination of hazards that make them fundamentally different from standard domestic or commercial work. Water and electricity are a lethal combination, and the marine environment adds salt spray, UV exposure, mechanical movement, and constant moisture to the mix.

BS 7671 recognises this by classifying marinas as special installations under Section 709. The requirements in Section 709 are more stringent than the general rules — they demand specific earthing arrangements, individual RCD protection, higher IP ratings, and specialised cable types.

The consequences of getting marina electrical work wrong are severe. Electric shock drowning (ESD) — where stray electrical current in the water incapacitates a swimmer — is a documented cause of death in marinas worldwide. Every design decision in a marina electrical installation must be made with this risk in mind.

  • Water conducts electricity. A fault that puts even a few volts into the water near a pontoon can incapacitate a person in the water. In freshwater marinas, the risk is particularly acute because the human body has lower resistance than the surrounding water, so current preferentially flows through the person.
  • The environment is hostile to electrical equipment. Salt spray corrodes terminals and enclosures. UV degrades PVC insulation and cable sheaths. Pontoon movement stresses cable connections. Condensation forms inside enclosures with temperature changes.
  • Boats move. Supply cables must accommodate tidal movement, wave action, and the varying draught of boats as fuel and water tanks are filled and emptied. Rigid cable routes are not suitable — flexible, UV-resistant cables are essential.
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02 · Special Installation

BS 7671 Section 709: The Key Requirements

Section 709 of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 applies to installations in marinas and similar locations for the supply to pleasure craft and houseboats. Use this reg-by-reg reference as your on-site checklist:

RegulationRequirement
709.313.1.2Supply voltage to craft/houseboats shall be 230 V AC single-phase or 400 V AC three-phase.
709.531.2Each socket-outlet protected individually by an RCD to Reg 415.1.1 (30 mA), disconnecting all live conductors including the neutral.
709.533Each socket-outlet protected by its own overcurrent device to Chapter 43.
709.537.2.1.1At least one means of isolation per distribution cabinet, disconnecting all live conductors including the neutral; one isolator per maximum of four socket-outlets.
709.553.1.8Socket-outlets to BS EN IEC 60309-2 up to 63 A and BS EN IEC 60309-1 above 63 A; at least IP44 (or IPX5/IPX6 where AD5/AD6 apply).
709.553.1.10A maximum of four socket-outlets may be grouped together in one enclosure.
709.553.1.11One socket-outlet shall supply only one pleasure craft or houseboat.
709.553.1.13Socket-outlets at least 1 m above the highest water level; on floating pontoons/walkways this may reduce to 300 mm with additional splash protection.
709.553.1.14Socket-outlet protective conductors shall not be connected to a PME earthing facility.

The earthing, external-influence and cable rules are detailed in the sections below. The remaining headline requirements:

  • Regulation 709.411.4 & 709.553.1.14: the ESQCR prohibit connecting a PME (TN-C-S) earthing facility to any metalwork in a boat, and Reg 709.553.1.14 forbids connecting socket-outlet protective conductors to a PME earth. In practice the berth supply is taken from a TT arrangement (local earth electrode) or an isolating transformer; a TN-S supply is acceptable where the DNO provides one.
  • Regulation 709.531.2: each socket outlet supplying a boat must be individually protected by a 30mA RCD. RCDs must not be shared between socket outlets — a fault on one boat must not trip the supply to another.
  • Regulation 709.553.1.8: socket outlets rated up to 63 A must comply with BS EN IEC 60309-2 (CEE industrial sockets). Socket outlets rated above 63 A must comply with BS EN IEC 60309-1. Standard 13A domestic sockets must not be used for boat supplies. Every socket outlet must achieve at least IP44 — provided either by the socket itself or by an enclosure.
  • Regulation 709.553.1.11: one socket outlet shall supply only one pleasure craft or houseboat — connecting multiple vessels to a single outlet is a mandatory prohibition.
  • Regulation 709.512.2.1.1: equipment on jetties and pontoons must be selected for the external water influence present — at least IPX4 (water splashes, AD4), rising to IPX5 (water jets, ADS) or IPX6 (water waves, AD6) for more exposed positions. Where the solid-particle digit is also specified (e.g. IP44), the combined rating must be met.
  • Regulation 709.521: cables must be selected to withstand the environmental conditions including UV, moisture, salt, and mechanical stress. H07RN-F flexible cable is standard for exposed locations.

These requirements are in addition to the general rules in Parts 1-6 of BS 7671. The electrician must apply both the general and special requirements, and where they conflict, the more stringent requirement (Section 709) takes precedence.

03 · Special Installation

Earthing Arrangements: Why TT Is Essential

The earthing arrangement is the most critical design decision in a marina electrical installation. Getting it wrong can result in fatal electric shock drowning.

In a standard PME (TN-C-S) system, the earth terminal at the property is connected to the DNO's combined neutral/earth (PEN) conductor. If the PEN conductor breaks, neutral current flows through the earth path — and in a marina, that earth path includes the water. This puts voltage in the water around the boats, creating a direct electric shock drowning hazard.

TT Earthing (Required)

In a TT system, the earth terminal is connected to a local earth electrode (earth rod) driven into the ground near the installation. The earth reference is independent of the supply neutral. If the PEN conductor breaks on the DNO supply, the local earth is unaffected. TT earthing requires RCD protection for fault disconnection because the earth fault loop impedance is typically too high for overcurrent devices to operate quickly enough. This is why individual 30mA RCDs on each socket outlet are mandatory.

PME (TN-C-S) — Not Permitted

PME must not be used for the supply to boats (Regulation 709.411.4). The risk of a broken PEN conductor energising the water is unacceptable. Even if the on-shore installation receives a PME supply from the DNO, the supply to the boats must be converted to TT by installing a local earth rod and disconnecting the earth from the PME system for the boat supply circuits. The on-shore distribution (office, workshop, chandlery) may remain on PME if the DNO supply is PME.

The earth rod resistance must be measured and recorded. For a TT system with 30mA RCD protection, the earth electrode resistance must be low enough to ensure the touch voltage does not exceed 50V. With a 30mA RCD, this gives a maximum electrode resistance of approximately 1667 ohm (50V / 0.03A). In practice, aim for well below this — 100 ohm or less is a good target, and often achievable with a properly installed 1.2m copper-clad earth rod in suitable soil.

04 · Special Installation

Shore Supply and Distribution

The shore power distribution system takes the incoming electricity supply and distributes it to individual berths via supply pillars (also called feeder pillars or service pedestals) mounted on the pontoons or jetty.

  • Supply pillars. Each supply pillar typically serves 2-4 berths and contains CEE socket outlets (16A and/or 32A), individual MCBs and RCDs for each socket, an isolator for each socket, and an energy meter (if required). The pillar must be rated to at least IP44 and manufactured from corrosion-resistant materials (typically GRP or marine-grade stainless steel).
  • Distribution boards. The main distribution board on shore distributes power to sub-mains cables running to each supply pillar. Each sub-main should have overcurrent protection and isolation at the main board. The sub-main cable must be sized for the maximum demand of the supply pillar, considering voltage drop on potentially long cable runs to the end of the pontoon.
  • Socket ratings. BS 7671 sets 16 A single-phase, 200–250 V as the general default (Reg 709.553.1.12), with higher ratings provided where greater demand is envisaged. The CEE socket type and standard are set by Reg 709.553.1.8 — see the table below.
RatingSupplyConnector standardTypical craft
16 ASingle-phaseBS EN IEC 60309-2 (blue CEE)Default provision; smaller yachts and motor cruisers
32 ASingle-phaseBS EN IEC 60309-2 (blue CEE)Larger vessels with higher demand
63 A3-phaseBS EN IEC 60309-2 (red CEE)Large craft and superyachts
> 63 A3-phaseBS EN IEC 60309-1 (above 63 A)Superyachts and commercial vessels

The supply cable from the pillar to the boat is typically provided by the boat owner. It must be H07RN-F flexible cable with an appropriate CEE plug and connector, and must be in good condition. Marina operators should carry out visual inspections of supply cables and refuse to permit the use of damaged cables.

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05 · Special Installation

IP Ratings and Environmental Protection

The marine environment is extremely demanding on electrical equipment. Salt spray, rain, wave splash, condensation, UV radiation, and airborne moisture all attack enclosures, terminals, and insulation. Regulation 709.512.2 selects equipment for jetties, wharves, piers and pontoons against four external-influence codes — water (AD), solid bodies (AE), corrosion (AF) and impact (AG):

InfluenceConditionMinimum protectionRegulation
Water (AD)Splashes (AD4) / jets (AD5) / waves (AD6)IPX4 / IPX5 / IPX6709.512.2.1.1
Solid bodies (AE)Small objects (AE2)IP3X709.512.2.1.2
Corrosion (AF)Atmospheric corrosive/polluting substances (AF2); hydrocarbons present (AF3)AF2 / AF3709.512.2.1.3
Impact (AG)Medium-severity mechanical impact (AG2)AG2 / IK08709.512.2.1.4

The headline socket and enclosure rule under Reg 709.553.1.8 is IP44 as a minimum, rising to IPX5 (water jets, AD5) or IPX6 (water waves, AD6) where those conditions apply. The notes below add the practical detail:

  • IP44 minimum — for equipment on pontoons and jetties. IP44 provides protection against solid objects over 1mm and water splashes from all directions. This is the minimum for supply pillars, junction boxes, and distribution equipment in sheltered locations.
  • IPX5 / IPX6 where exposed — where water jets (AD5) or water waves (AD6) are present, the degree of protection against water rises to at least IPX5 or IPX6 respectively (Reg 709.512.2.1.1 / 709.553.1.8). This applies to equipment at the outer edges of pontoons and in exposed coastal locations; specifiers often select a combined rating such as IP66 to satisfy both the solid-body and water digits at once.
  • AF2/AF3 atmospheric classification (Reg 709.512.2.1.3). All equipment on or above a jetty, wharf, pier or pontoon must be suitable for AF2 conditions — the presence of atmospheric corrosive or polluting substances (salt spray, moisture). Where hydrocarbons are present (e.g. fuel pontoons), the requirement escalates to AF3. Material selection, protective coatings, and gasket integrity must all satisfy the applicable classification.
  • AG2 mechanical impact protection (Reg 709.512.2.1.4). Equipment on or above a jetty, wharf, pier or pontoon must be protected against medium-severity mechanical impact (AG2) — a real hazard from boat hooks, mooring ropes, fenders, and vessel movement. Protection may be achieved by siting equipment to avoid foreseeable impacts, by providing local or general mechanical guards or barriers, or by installing equipment with a minimum impact rating of IK08 to BS EN 62262.
  • Corrosion resistance. All metallic enclosures, fixings, and cable management must be marine-grade — stainless steel (Grade 316), GRP (glass-reinforced plastic), or similarly corrosion-resistant materials. Standard galvanised steel will corrode rapidly in a salt spray environment.

IP ratings must be maintained throughout the life of the installation. An enclosure rated IP56 when new becomes IP00 if the gasket fails or a cable gland is not properly tightened. Regular inspection of enclosure integrity is part of the annual maintenance regime.

Cable glands, stuffing glands, and conduit entries must all maintain the IP rating of the enclosure. Unused knockouts and entries must be sealed with IP-rated blanking plugs — not tape or silicone sealant, which degrades in UV and salt environments.

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06 · Special Installation

RCD Requirements: Individual Protection Is Mandatory

RCD protection in a marina installation goes beyond the standard domestic requirements. Regulation 709.531.2 requires that each socket outlet supplying a boat must have its own individual 30mA RCD. This is a critical safety requirement — and it differs from domestic installations where circuits can share an RCD.

  • Why individual RCDs? If one boat develops an earth fault, the RCD for that socket trips — disconnecting only the faulty boat. All other boats retain their shore power. With shared RCDs, a fault on one boat would trip the power to multiple boats, potentially affecting refrigeration, bilge pumps, and safety systems on vessels whose electrical systems are fault-free.
  • RCD type. Type A RCDs (detecting sinusoidal AC and pulsating DC earth leakage) are the minimum requirement. Type B RCDs may be specified where boats have inverters or other equipment that could produce smooth DC earth leakage.
  • Testing frequency. RCDs in marina environments should be functionally tested (using the test button) monthly and electrically tested (trip time and trip current) annually during the periodic inspection.

The combination of TT earthing and individual 30mA RCD protection provides the primary defence against electric shock and electric shock drowning. Both elements must be in place — one without the other significantly reduces the safety margin.

RCBOs (combined MCB and RCD in a single device) are an efficient way to provide both overcurrent and RCD protection in the limited space available within supply pillars. Each socket outlet gets its own RCBO, providing individual 30mA RCD and MCB protection.

07 · Special Installation

Cable Management and Routing

Cable management in a marina installation must account for the unique environmental and mechanical challenges:

Fixed Cables on Pontoons

SWA (Steel Wire Armoured) cable or cable in marine-grade conduit/trunking is used for fixed installations on pontoons. Where pontoon sections are joined, cables must cross the joint with sufficient slack and flexibility to accommodate movement. Rigid cable routes that do not allow for movement will stress and eventually fracture the conductors.

Submarine Cables

Where cables run from shore to floating pontoons, they must cross the water. This is typically done using submarine cable or cable in a weighted flexible conduit that lies on the seabed or riverbed. The cable must accommodate tidal movement — a cable that is taut at high tide will be under extreme strain at low tide or vice versa. A drip loop should be provided at each end to prevent water tracking into the enclosures.

Supply Cables to Boats

The cable from the supply pillar to the boat is flexible H07RN-F with CEE plugs and connectors. It must not trail in the water — cable management hooks or guides on the pontoon edge help route the cable above the waterline. Damaged supply cables with cracked sheaths, exposed conductors, or corroded pins must not be used. The marina operator should carry out regular visual checks.

All cable routes should be designed with maintenance access in mind. Cables buried in pontoon decking or hidden behind panels must be clearly marked and accessible for inspection and testing. The annual EICR will require access to all cables and accessories.

08 · Special Installation

Inspection and Testing of Marina Installations

Marina installations require more frequent inspection and testing than standard installations due to the harsh environment and higher risk level. Guidance Note 3 (GN3) recommends a maximum interval of 1 year for periodic inspection.

Annual

Full EICR of the fixed installation, with RCD, earth electrode and insulation resistance testing.

Monthly

Visual checks of pillars, cables and connections; RCD test-button operation.

After storms

Inspection after any flooding, extreme tide or severe weather event.

  • Annual EICR. A full periodic inspection and testing following BS 7671 Chapter 65, with specific attention to Section 709 requirements. This includes: insulation resistance of all circuits, RCD trip time and sensitivity testing, earth electrode resistance measurement, earth fault loop impedance, and visual inspection of all enclosures, cable routes, and connections.
  • Monthly visual inspection. Check supply pillars for physical damage, water ingress, corrosion, and loose connections. Check supply cables for damage. Test RCDs using the test button. Check earth rod connections for corrosion.
  • After severe weather. Storms, flooding, or extreme tides can damage cables, enclosures, and connections. A visual inspection after any severe weather event is essential.

The EICR for a marina installation should reference Section 709 requirements in the observations. Common C1 and C2 observations on marina EICRs include: missing individual RCD protection, PME earth used for boat supplies, IP rating compromised by damaged enclosures or missing glands, and corroded earth electrode connections.

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