What is the Boat Safety Scheme?

The Boat Safety Scheme is jointly owned by British Waterways and the Environment Agency.  It's designed to minimise the risks of fires or explosions on boats cruising the UK's inland waterways network, by specifying a set of requirements that most boats must meet before they can be granted a navigation licence.  The Scheme also recommends a number of 'safety best practice' measures which enhance the personal health and safety of those on board privately owned boats.

As licensing bodies, British Waterways and the Environment Agency have a statutory duty to insist that all boats on the waterways they care for are as safe as possible.  This helps to minimise the risks of fires and explosion which can kill or seriously injure visitors to the waterways network.  It's in everyone's interests to help ensure the waterways are as safe as possible.

What are the BSS Standards?

The BSS Standards are a set of essential safety requirements and best safety practice advice.  The Standards include safety criteria for boat systems such as electrical installations, inboard/outboard engines, appliances, ventilation and fuels.

Each Standard is broken down into individual Check List items that are applied to the boat, its installations and its appliances during an examination.  A privately owned boat used only for recreational purposes must comply with around 75% of (specified) Check List items before being granted a navigation licence.  However, private boat owners are actively encouraged to comply with the remaining 25% of Check List items, since these represent best safety practice and offer the most opportunities for safety on the waterways.

Does the Boat Safety Scheme apply to all boats on all inland waterways?

The full set of Boat Safety Scheme requirements apply to all boats based on all British Waterways managed navigations and most Environment Agency waters, with the exception of privately-owned boats used solely for recreational purposes.  A navigation licence will be issued to these types of boats that only comply with the Mandatory requirements of the Scheme.  Of course, it's also best safety practice to ensure your privately-owned boat meets the Advisory Check List items too.

The Boat Safety Scheme has been endorsed by all the UK navigation authorities, represented by the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA), and will become a requirement for licensing purposes on waters managed by the Broads Authority from January 2005.

If you keep your boat on a waterway managed by any other navigation authority other than British Waterways, the Environment Agency and the Broads Authority, then it is a good idea to contact the relevant authority to see how much of the BSS applies and whether any other regulations are in force.