Safety on inland waterways

You may need to get a Boat Safety Scheme ( BSS ) certificate before you can register or buy a licence to use inland waterways, such as rivers and canals. You do not need a certificate if you have a privately owned ‘open boat’ with no motor, for example a canoe, paddleboard or rowboat. Some other types of boat (for example privately owned ‘open boats’ with outboard motors and no electrical systems) may also be exempt - check with the navigation authority that manages your chosen waterway. All boats requiring a BSS certificate have to be tested every 4 years. You’re responsible for maintaining your boat to BSS certificate standards between tests. Find the latest boat safety notices . Rules of the waterways You must drive on the right and pass other boats port to port on all waterways. On rivers, the boat coming downstream has right of way. Under bridges, the boat closest to the bridge has right of way. Keep right until the boat has passed. The maximum speed on narrow canals is 4 miles per hour (mph). The Boater’s Handbook gives more information on waterway rules. New boats New boats should already meet the standards, so you will not need to have them checked. You may be asked for the certificate proving that your new boat meets the required standards when you register it. You’ll need to get a BSS certificate after 4 years and renew it every 4 years after that, unless you’re exempt. Penalty for not having a certificate You’ll be penalised if you do not have a certificate for your boat and are not exempt. The penalty depends on which navigation authority manages the waterway you’re using. If you own a commercial boat You may need a BSS certificate if your boat carries 12 passengers or fewer - check the BSS guidance . You’ll need a Passenger Certificate issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency ( MCA ) if you’re carrying more than 12 passengers. You should also check whether you need: any statutory certificates to meet any other requirements

You must follow international safety regulations if you’re using a boat at sea. This means you must: plan your voyage carry a radar reflector carry an illustrated table of the recognised life-saving signals help other craft, if needed use distress signals properly You could be prosecuted if you’re involved in a boating accident and you have not followed the regulations. Read the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s ‘Life saving signals’ leaflet for more information. Preventing collisions The regulations on preventing collisions say that you must: fit navigation lights, shapes and sound-signalling devices on your boat stay a safe distance away from other boats, and diving boats flying the blue-and-white ‘Alpha’ flag be alert to other boats around you at all times Read ‘The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996’ for more information. Safety equipment If your boat is more than 13.7 metres long, you must carry: lifejackets liferafts flares fire extinguishers The specific details of what you need to carry depends on the size of your boat and how far you’re travelling away from the coast. See the regulations applicable to ‘pleasure vessels’ . Preventing pollution You must not drop oil or rubbish into the sea. If your boat is more than 12 metres long you must also display a notice on board explaining how to get rid of rubbish properly. For more information, read the regulations for preventing pollution from ships . Getting rid of old or damaged flares You must follow the rules for getting rid of out-of-date or damaged flares. It’s an offence to: put them in household rubbish, garden waste or public litter bins dump them at sea leave them anywhere a member of the public could find them set them off You can find a flare disposal service on The Environmental Facilities Directory on The Green Blue website . If there’s not a disposal service near you, contact any of the following: the place you bought them, if they offer a ‘take back’ scheme some marinas - a small charge may apply some life raft service stations some council recycling centres You can get more information on getting rid of flares . If you own a commercial boat If you own a small commercial boat you may also have to: meet certain operational standards have the boat surveyed

You should check what kind of insurance you need - it depends on how and where you use your boat. If you’re using inland waterways You’ll usually need to have ‘third party’ insurance for at least £1 million if you have a powered boat or a houseboat. You may also need insurance for some types of unpowered boat, for example a houseboat - check with the navigation authority that manages the waterway you want to use. You could be prosecuted or fined if you do not have the right insurance - the kind of penalty depends on your navigation authority. The Canal and River Trust website has a list of insurance companies that provide boat insurance. If you’re using a boat at sea Check the MCA guidance if you own a small commercial boat - you may need statutory certificates .

Owning a boat

Overview

You must follow safety regulations and check whether you need insurance if you own a boat.

You usually need to register your boat to use it on inland waterways, such as rivers and canals. Contact the navigation authority of the waterway you want to use.

Boat safety requirements

There are different safety requirements depending on whether you use your boat:

on inland waterways
at sea
for private or commercial purposes

Insurance

You may need to get insurance before you can register and use your boat.

Register your boat

You can apply for a boat licence or registration once you’ve met the relevant safety and insurance requirements.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Owning a boat

Overview

Boat safety requirements

Insurance

Register your boat

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Owning a boat

Overview

Boat safety requirements

Insurance

Register your boat

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