British Waterways and the Environment Agency, co-sponsors of the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS), have welcomed the publication of the BSS Review Team's final report into the Scheme, its operation, management and rationale.
The Navigation Authorities have jointly accepted the Review Team's 12 key overall recommendations on how the BSS should operate in the future, and will meet shortly to discuss how the recommendations can be implemented.
Dave Fletcher, British Waterways' chief executive, said: “The publication of this report sets a fresh course for the Boat Safety Scheme and I am confident that User Groups and individual boaters will welcome the positive changes outlined by the Review Team. A simplified Scheme applied fairly across all craft will help to maintain a safe waterway environment for all users.
“There are many detailed ideas in the report that need to be fully considered, and we will work in partnership over the coming months to understand which of these can be implemented for the benefit of all.”
Eileen McKeever, head of navigation for the Environment Agency, said: “I would like to thank the Review Team for their hard work in producing this comprehensive report into the BSS. We look forward to working with British Waterways, User Groups and individual boaters to implement the recommendations and develop support for the Scheme.”
The Navigation Authorities' Response to Additional Recommendations
The Review Team's interim statement of 22 December 2000 made five recommendations which the Navigation Authorities accepted. A further seven recommendations have now been made in the final report, and these are shown below in italics along with the Navigation Authorities' response:
- Individual boat owners and users should play a significant part in safety improvements.
We accept this recommendation and recognise the role users have to play in maintaining safety and best practice on the waterways. We also recognise the need to promote education and develop a culture of best practice amongst users. We will seek to implement an educational programme of safety awareness that will encourage users to adopt best practices with regard to their craft and its passengers.
- The responsibilities, composition and Chairmanship of the Scheme Committees should be reviewed urgently. The role of Navigation Authorities, their executive officer for the Scheme and the consultative process for future changes to the Scheme should be defined and publicised.
We accept this recommendation. A clear and transparent framework in which Standards can be considered, along with other changes to the Scheme, is imperative to the fair and equitable operation of the BSS. We are committed to upholding the formal consultation process which underpins the Scheme's committees and will seek advice from IWAAC and others on the most appropriate way of involving User Groups in this process.
- There should be a Quality Management system covering communication and the competence, training, code of conduct and disciplinary procedures for BSS examiners.
We accept this recommendation. We will devise ways of improving quality standards within the examination process that will enhance the credibility of the Scheme and ensure a fair and equitable application of the Scheme's Standards.
- In addressing the specific matter of diesel injector spill racks, a technical investigation was commissioned and has found that in the craft examined the problem can be attributed to poor design, installation or workmanship and that a metallic spill rack provides the greatest level of safety. The Review Team recommends that the qualified alternative (allowed by the BSS since June 2000) should be accepted.
We accept this recommendation and welcome the guidance of the Review Team on this matter. The BSS has previously accepted flexible spill racks under certain conditions following improvements in materials and recently proposed changes to International Standards.
- · Risks related to gas in boats merit special consideration and guidance. The Navigation Authorities should work with the Health & Safety Executive and other competent bodies in this specialist field and develop, as far as is possible, a pragmatic and practical way forward which is proportionate to the risks faced. The Review Team believes that a solution can be found which addresses all the concerns of those affected.
We accept this recommendation. It is clear that in the issue of gas safety there are a number of professional organisations that are able to provide clear advice on the installation and use of gas appliances on board craft. These organisations are well placed to determine the levels of risk associated with these situations and we look forward to working with them. The aim of the Navigation Authorities in these discussions will be to recognise the risk while ensuring the safe and fair application of these regulations on board craft.
- Statistical evidence on accident rates on the waterways is poor. Sources of data are incomplete or largely anecdotal. Consideration should be given to improving accident statistics by data gathering and investigation, this would better inform future decision making and those affected.
We accept this recommendation and recognise the benefits of comprehensive analysis of accident data. We will seek ways, wherever it is practical to do so, to improve accident data gathering in conjunction with external bodies.
- The Navigation Authorities should champion the boaters' case in the wider regulatory environment.
We accept this challenge. We will seek to balance the differing requirements made upon us while raising awareness of the particular needs of boat owners within the regulatory environment.
Next Steps
Following on from the Navigation Authorities' earlier acceptance of the Review Team's initial recommendations, a list of time-limited exemptions to specific checklist items was produced to provide guidance for boaters undergoing BSS examinations during this interim period. This list established the principle of a Scheme containing mandatory and advisory items.
The current list of time-limited exemptions represents those items the Navigation Authorities believe may well in the future become advisory items. In April we will seek the views of regulatory bodies, industry representatives and User Groups about our recommendation of how the current list of time limited exemptions might become the advisory part of the BSS. We expect to finish our review of opinions by the end of June.
We are very conscious that during this consultation period uncertainty may exist amongst boat owners as to whether remedial work should be carried out once an examination is conducted. People may also be further inconvenienced by restrictions relating to Foot & Mouth disease. We have therefore decided to extend the period during which time limited exemptions apply for licensing purposes from six months to nine months. The first time limited exemptions granted in February 2001 therefore will not expire until November 2001.
We will be writing to those boaters who have already applied for a licence based on the time limited exemption period to explain these arrangements. We will also actively encourage boat owners to implement best safety practice as set out on the proposed advisory checklist.
As advised by the Review Team, the Navigation Authorities intend to seek guidance from regulatory bodies such as the Health & Safety Executive before deciding on the most suitable course of action with regard to Standards relating to Gas.
British Waterways and the Environment Agency will meet shortly to discuss the Review Team's recommendations in full and to consider appropriate implementation plans.
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