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The
Boat Safety Scheme is jointly owned by British Waterways [Link
to BW] and the Environment Agency [Link
to EA]. The scheme publicises its aim to reduce the risk of fires or
explosions on boats cruising the UK's inland waterways network, by
specifying a set of requirements that most boats must meet before they can
be granted a licence to navigate the waterway. The Scheme also sets out to
recommend a number of what it sees as 'safety best practice measures’ which
it considers will enhance the personal health and safety of those on board
privately owned boats.
We
have operated as consultants to the Boat Safety Scheme [Link
to BSS] devising solutions to long running compliance difficulties and
our developed solutions have also been adopted by Europe as compliance
options for the Recreational Craft Directive [Link to RCD]
As
a fully trained Boat Safety Scheme Examiner we are authorised by British
Waterways Board and The Environment Agency to carry out Boat Safety Scheme
Examinations and the issuing of the appropriate certificates.
As
with all authorised BSS examiners we are regularly in receipt of the latest
amendments to the regulations directly from the BSS office. As part of the
schemes pursuit of consistent implementation of the regulations we attend
the relevant training courses and, as with all surveyor/examiners, we are
regularly assessed. The professional surveyors association, to which we
belong, is represented on the BSS advisory and BSS technical committees.
The
professional surveyors’ role differs from the more limited task of the BSS
examiner in that surveyors are permitted to give suitable advice and
guidance on methods of obtaining compliance with the BSS regulations and not
simply perform the examination. As such we frequently design and develop
methods of compliance for a wide range of clients from private boat owners
to commercial concerns.
We
regularly carry out examinations and assessments on a full range of craft
from historic and modern craft, timber craft, GRP sailing boats, commercial
vessels, workboats, barges and ships, with a range of propulsion methods
from vintage and modern engines to coal fired steam.
As
a life long boat owner the need for a harmonisation of the BSS requirements
with the practicalities of operating and cruising the craft is considered as
paramount and our practical approach is frequently drawn upon by others.
A
copy of the latest Boat Safety Scheme Requirements and some simple advice on
achieving compliance with the regulations is offered in a published guide. [Download
BSS Guide] However the scheme has changed several times over a number of
years and is still changing to this day, as such there is a guide to the
changes which is available. [Download
BSS Changes] For the most up to date requirements please telephone us to
discuss the specifics of your craft and the current status of the scheme. |
