How the BSS Works

All boats wishing to be licensed for navigation on British Waterways and most Environment Agency waters must have a valid Boat Safety Scheme certificate.  You can find out about arranging for an examination by clicking here. 

Once a boat has been examined and a pass certificate issued, you should send your pass certificate along with the necessary licence application paperwork to the relevant navigation authority.  You can find contact details for these by clicking here.

Your examiner will keep a copy of the examination report, will give you a copy for your records and send a copy to the Boat Safety Scheme office.

Examiners will, from 1 April 2002, also complete an 'Appliance Status Record' which logs relevant details on the model, make and condition of all appliances on your boat.  This Record will then be checked and amended accordingly at the time of the next examination to show any changes in the condition or operation of the appliance(s)

The Record will also help to reduce inconsistencies between examiners when inspecting and testing the same appliance(s) over a period of time.  It also helps record any modifications to existing appliances or new installations on board the boat, and gives you a document that you can show to any prospective buyer in the future.