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Regulations & Safety 

Regulations and best practice advice for boating in the UK, helping you to stay safe on the water.

Pleasure Craft Regulations
An overview of the regulations boaters in the UK must comply with and the equipment required when boating for personal pleasure.
Commercial Craft Regulations
Information for owners of boats that take fare paying passengers and guidance relating to club owned boats
Marine Licensing
All vessels operating in tidal and coastal waters will need to comply with new marine licensing requirements.
Inland Regulations
Whether your boat is in private or commercial use, the regulations will vary depending on which Authority presides over the particular waterway.
Licensing Onboard Electronics
Your VHF Radio, EPIRB, Radar, TV etc. must all be covered by appropriate licences, as must any other transmitting equipment onboard a boat. 
Safety Information
Not sure when you should be wearing a life jacket or buoyancy aid; wondering where you can get notices to mariners; how do you best avoid a collision with a kite surfer; and more...
Stability Data
The RYA Stability List provides a list of yachts with some of their parameters for which the RYA has stability information. This currently only includes monohull ballasted sailing boats.
Recreational Craft Directive
Applies to virtually all recreational craft built since 16 June 1998 and intended for sport and leisure use, within the EEA.
Flag Etiquette
Flag etiquette is a combination of law, good manners and tradition. Being ill-informed of your obligations could lead you to cause insult at home or abroad by giving a signal you do not intend to
Tonnage Surveys
RYA Tonnage Measurers are able to carry out tonnage measurement for the purpose of Part 1 Registration with the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen.

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See Also

Boat Registration

Secure

About the UK Ship Register

Firearms Regulations

Carriage of firearms (including very pistols) on-board a recreational boat

Maritime Safety Information (MSI)

Weather Forecasts

Tidal Predictions