Consultations & Reviews

An inland waterway navigation authority review of boat hirer safety took place 2013-16 concerning powered boats only. The review covers hirer safety generally.

The Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) ran a public consultation on proposals that have the full support of its stakeholder and management committees.

The proposals are to introduce mandatory BSS Requirement for suitable carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in good condition and in suitable locations on all classes of boat in scope of the BSS Requirements with accommodation spaces.

A review of the core BSS Examination Checking Procedures (ECP) used for examining private boats; self-drive hire boats and many static let boats (e.g. B&B) and the interim revised ECP were adopted Autumn 2021. Some final and further 2nd and 3rd stage enhancements will be published in early 2023 and then the Final version of the full ECPs and Appendices will be published shortly afterwards.

This consultation is now closed and the collated responses are published below The consultation considered proposals to introduce two increased BSS Requirements and relax further BSS Requirements through 20 adjustments resulting in lowering stipulations or expanding compliance options within the Interim Review of the BSS Examination Checking Procedures.

The BSS has organised two separate boat owner surveys concerning smoke alarms on boats, one addressing attitudes and behaviours and the other looking at the current level of smoke alarm take-up.