You are here:

Boat Safety Scheme (BSS)

Things to do boating on the canal

The Scheme is a joint initiative between British Waterways and the Environment Agency and its purpose is to help boaters and navigation authorities to minimise the risks of boat fires, explosions and pollution as well as to help boat owners to identify and reduce risks to their crews from carbon monoxide poisoning.

It does this in three ways: providing risk and hazard advice to owners; providing research and risk data to navigation authorities; and checking procedures, examiner authorization and the verification/certification or boats

With that knowledge and the help of boat owners and the marine industry, its committees advise navigation authorities on the minimum standards that boats should meet to avoid fire, explosion and pollution from the boats' systems.

Using these requirements, the BSS operates a boating version of the MOT by which authorised independent examiners check and certify a boat's installations and components every four years. Many navigation authorities ask for this certificate to support a licence, registration or mooring application.

The checks cover the essential safety requirements and some advice-only items. The scope of the examination includes fuel and gas systems and inboard/outboard engines, electrical systems, cabin appliances, ventilation and items linked to sewage and oil pollution.

However, if you are new to boating or thinking about buying a boat, please note the BSS examination is not a full condition survey, nor will it indicate that the boat is fit for purpose. For example, it does not cover the condition of the hull or deck, the integrity of through-hull fittings or the stability of the boat and defects. A professional marine surveyor should be able to provide that service.

Boat buyers are strongly advised to commission a pre-purchase survey before committing themselves to becoming new owners of either used or bespoke new boats. Some surveyors are also authorised BSS examiners and may be willing to carry out a BSS examination on a separate contract whilst surveying the craft.

Many new boats already comply with the minimum requirements and those with relevant documents from the boat builder may not require BSS certification for licensing until they are four years old. Completely open boats with no electrical, heating, domestic or inboard fuel systems are exempt from the need for a BSS certificate on waters owned by British Waterways – and most other navigation authorities. Again depending on the navigation authority, short-term visiting boats, while having to comply with the requirements, may not need a BSS certificate to apply for a licence.

All the BSS requirements, the examination checks in full detail, more safety advice and general information on the BSS can be viewed and/or downloaded from the BSS website

British Waterways customers
British Waterways customers looking to buy or renew a licence should send a copy of their BSS certificate to:

British Waterways
Boat Licensing Team
PO Box 162
Leeds
LS9 1AX