BSS Limited invites stakeholders to contribute to the review of its Advisory and Technical Forums Terms of Reference

Boat Safety Scheme limited (BSS), the not-for-profit organisation that runs the BSS Examination and Certification service for boats, is seeking opinions on stakeholder involvement in the Scheme. It has created a working group specifically to review membership of the BSS Advisory and Technical forums, the details of which are published on its website.

The aim of the joint review is to ensure consistency and to maximise the opportunities presented by developments in digital communication.

BSS Advisory and Technical Forums provide opportunities for a range of stakeholders to influence the operation of the Scheme as set out in their respective terms of reference (ToR), which were defined when the Scheme became a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee in April 2024.

Recent stakeholder feedback suggests that the current arrangements may be cumbersome and that the aims of the two forums could be better met through a more creative use of digital communications.

A BSS Ltd director will convene the small working group with the six-month task to review the current membership and consider the potential for contribution from wider stakeholder organisations and hard-to-reach groups.

This working group will determine its own methodology, and it may co-opt additional members if required.

Submissions to the review should be made by email to [email protected] before 25 September 2026. The convener asks that anyone making a submission on behalf of a stakeholder or group states their capacity within that organisation.

The details of the working group can be found on the BSS governance webpage: www.boatsafetyscheme.org/about-us/governing-the-bss/

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Notes for Editors

The BSS is a public safety initiative run as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The 17 navigation authorities that have adopted the Scheme, use it to help reduce the risks of fire, explosion and pollution on small craft, typically under 24m. This is done by promoting fire safety and pollution avoidance advice to help boat owners keep themselves and their crew safe as well as regular examination of fuel systems, gas systems, electrical systems and appliances. The BSS is responsible for the administration and supervision of the BSS Examination processes.

A BSS Certification has a life span of four years. Navigation authorities using the Scheme usually require BSS Certification on a boat at the time of licensing, registration, toll renewal or similar. The Certification is achieved when a boat is found to be compliant with all the BSS Requirements relevant for that boat. These can be freely downloaded or read on www.boatsafetyscheme.org. The compliance check, BSS Examination, is carried out by authorised and independent practitioners known as BSS Examiners.