BSS

The Boat Safety Scheme Page 2

The Boat Safety Scheme is split into mandatory and advisory items. In general, the mandatory items are concerned with minimising the risk of fire or explosion, whereas the advisory items cover other concerns, including those associated with personal safety within the craft. Under a duty of care, the Navigational Authorities recommended that all items are complied with but only the mandatory items are required for craft licensing, as these minimise the danger to waterway users outside the craft. This is with the exception of hire boats and boats carrying less than 13 passengers, which have to comply with all items. BSS Certificates can only be issued by approved Examiners or Surveyors.

Craft requiring a BSSC include all leisure and commercial vessels built before 16th June 1998 needing a licence on navigations controlled by British Waterways or the Environment Agency, and other navigations, such as the Lower & Upper Avon Navigations, Basingstoke Canal, River Wey, Broads Authority and Bridgewater Canal. A BSSC is valid for four years but vessels built under the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) do not require a BSSC until they are four years old.

More information can be found on Boat Safety Scheme or obtained from