 | Aug 2007: BSS recommends the installation of smoke alarms on boats. Any owner of a boat with overnight accommodation is strongly recommended to install a smoke alarm in the best possible place and to press the test button routinely.
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| June 2007: The power of the sun magnified through domed decklights has caused several fires and near incidents in recent years. The BSS is advising owners to check round their boat's 'bullseyes' for their own reassurance.
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| April 2007: Carbon monoxide is a killer. The BSS is warning the most vulnerable boaters to take extra care following post mortem confirmation that two more liveaboard boaters died from carbon monoxide poisoning recently.
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| March 2007: Fire and Rescue Services across the UK are participating in the first ever Boat Fire Safety Week between 26 - 31 March. The campaign is being promoted to Fire and Rescue Services, as a part of the Fire Kills campaign by the Central government's National Community Fire Safety Centre in association with Warwickshire FRS and the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS).
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| Feb 2007: The BSS is no different to any organisation, it needs certainty of funding to be able to plan properly and run efficiently. In early 2007, its owners British Waterways and the Environment Agency asked the Scheme move to 'break-even' from the financial year starting that April. The change is to help remove uncertainty and allow better planning for the delivery of long-term safety goals. Some people had questions about the owners new policy and so we have published a summary of their questions with associated responses here.
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| June 2006: We have sent new guidance to Boat Safety Scheme examiners this week (w/c 19.06.06). It requests the examiners to stop for their own safety, any examination that they are involved in if a certain type of user-refillable LPG bottle is discovered. Full details are in the statement, which can be viewed or downloaded from here.
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| November 2005 - The Broads Authority has taken the decision to adopt the Scheme and institute new bylaws. It has the following advice for its Toll-payers 'We recommend that owners get their boats examined as soon as possible. Those boats that do not have a valid BSS certificate by the appropriate introductory date will not be permitted to navigate the Broads. Please try to avoid getting caught out in a last minute rush.' Further detail is in the BA flyer
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| A note placed here by request of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) concerning the international ban on halon fire extinguishers which sets out some of the detail about the law concerning such extinguishers and information about their disposal. Note: - The BSS examination does not recognise halon extinguishers as part of the required compliment of certified portable fire extinguishers in good condition. (Chapter 6 BSS Essential Guide)
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| A note placed here by request of the Department for Trade and Industry (Dti) concerning further guidance on the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD). It is a 5-page notice with updates, useful background information and links to further advice.
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| Questions and Answers - BSS Open Meeting (2005)
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| BSS modernisation launches April 2005 |
Please take the opportunity to influence proposals to modernise BSS requirements for privately owned boats.
If you are interested to express your views then please read the full consultation document and we would welcome your views.
