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Travel and transport

River and sea safety

Whether you are responsible for sailing a boat or are simply a passenger, make sure you know how to keep yourself safe on the waterways.

Getting a boat licence

All boats on British Waterways, Environment Agency and Broads Authority waterways must have a Boat Safety Scheme licence. The licence scheme ensures that boats meet essential safety requirements for systems such as fuel, ventilation, appliances, inboard/outboard engines and electrical installations.

All boats other than those privately owned and used solely for recreation must comply with all checklist items to be issued a licence.

Privately owned recreation-only boats must comply with around 75 per cent of the items to be issued a licence. However, it is safer to ensure your boat meets all the criteria.

The Boat Safety Scheme means that your boat must be examined every four years by a registered Boat Safety Scheme examiner.

Travelling safely

Here are a few safety tips to observe when on the waterways:

  • wear buoyancy jackets
  • keep a special eye on children
  • don't jump off a moving boat
  • don't sit on the front deck of a day boat
  • don't try to stop your boat by pushing with your hand or foot
  • don't approach anyone in the water with the propeller first

If you have an accident

  • stop as soon as it is safe to do so
  • exchange names, addresses and boat licence numbers with everyone involved and anyone else who has a good reason to request the information
  • contact the authority who manages the waterway

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigates all accidents on all UK boats and all accidents in any UK waters, including inland waterways.

All accidents and major injuries must be reported to MAIB by the quickest possible means. Serious injuries must be reported within 14 days. MAIB will collect information and decide whether or not to conduct a preliminary examination. This may then lead to a full investigation and report.

MAIB has a dedicated accident reporting line on 023 8023 2527.

Commercial passenger boats

All boats operating a commercial passenger service in UK waters, eg riverboats and ferries, must have a passenger ship survey certificate. This certificate is valid for a year and issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to boats and ships which have passed the annual safety and seaworthiness survey.

No ship can sail in UK waters carrying more than 12 passengers without this certificate.

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