I used to have a power boat on the blackwater and had visited the crouch on many occasions and never paid the waterways as it's tidal. From what I understand is if it's tidal no license is needed.
The BSS is only required for certain river authorities, in our case the Broads Authority.
In order to use or moor a boat here you have to pay an annual fee or toll, and a current BSS certificate has to be produced at that time.
so if you don't get asked for a certificate at the time of paying then it's not compulsory.
Any boat can have a BSS inspection carried out, and it's valid for 4 years. You basically have to have 2 fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, a carbon monoxide alarm and label fuel lockers and the electrical isolator. If you have any permanent gas tanks or appliances it gets a bit complicated with sealed lockers needed but if you use portable gas stoves or heaters then just remove them!
I think it cost me about £50 to buy the items above, and it costs about £200 for the inspection and there's more information on the BSS website and a list of inspectors in the country.
When I visited the Thames last Easter I had to self certify certain safety requirements, that were linked to the type/size of vessel, in order to receive a river license.
I would not have thought that BSS cert is required for the Crouch and Blackwater but inland waterways and possibly including the Broads require this for long term mooring....ie more than 4 weeks. From the Blackwater you can enter the canal system so that might persuade you to have it.
As Ian says, it's not hard but it's a faff that you might avoid.
You should have got a BSS certificate for Ashanti when you bought her as I got it when I owned her.
it could be that it has run out but unless you have made any major changes you would only need to ensure the extinguishers are in date to get it re certificated. As others have said you don't need it for the Crouch
I used to have a power boat on the blackwater and had visited the crouch on many occasions and never paid the waterways as it's tidal. From what I understand is if it's tidal no license is needed.
I pay a river licence to the Harbour Authority but not sure about the Boat Safety Scheme certificate issued every four years .
Hi Gary
The BSS is only required for certain river authorities, in our case the Broads Authority.
In order to use or moor a boat here you have to pay an annual fee or toll, and a current BSS certificate has to be produced at that time.
so if you don't get asked for a certificate at the time of paying then it's not compulsory.
Any boat can have a BSS inspection carried out, and it's valid for 4 years. You basically have to have 2 fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, a carbon monoxide alarm and label fuel lockers and the electrical isolator. If you have any permanent gas tanks or appliances it gets a bit complicated with sealed lockers needed but if you use portable gas stoves or heaters then just remove them!
I think it cost me about £50 to buy the items above, and it costs about £200 for the inspection and there's more information on the BSS website and a list of inspectors in the country.
Regards
Ian
When I visited the Thames last Easter I had to self certify certain safety requirements, that were linked to the type/size of vessel, in order to receive a river license.
Quentin Sands, past owner
1991 26C Mrs MacGregor
1993 Mac19, Margarita
I believe self certification only applies to short visitor licences, x weeks in a year.
Jonathan
I would not have thought that BSS cert is required for the Crouch and Blackwater but inland waterways and possibly including the Broads require this for long term mooring....ie more than 4 weeks. From the Blackwater you can enter the canal system so that might persuade you to have it.
As Ian says, it's not hard but it's a faff that you might avoid.
Roly
Hi Gary
You should have got a BSS certificate for Ashanti when you bought her as I got it when I owned her.
it could be that it has run out but unless you have made any major changes you would only need to ensure the extinguishers are in date to get it re certificated. As others have said you don't need it for the Crouch
Regards
John
Thanks John .It runs out shortly but will replace if and when we visit the Broads.