About the Boat Safety Scheme

The BSS was jointly established in 1997 by the Environment Agency and British Waterways to promote safety on the inland waterways in respect of boats, their installations and components. Meeting these safety Standards in order to obtain a navigation licence became a requirement at the same time. To
date, some 45,000 powered craft have successfully met these requirements.

An independent review of the scope of the BSS requirements took place during 2000 and recommended that British Waterways and the Environment Agency re-publish the full set of Check List items split into essential safety or environmental requirements and best safety practice recommendations. Extensive consultation with the boating public, groups representing these people and professional and trade bodies concerned with craft construction and safety standards contributed to this re-published list.