Boatmasters' licence
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1. Check if you need a licence
You must have a boatmasters鈥� licence if you鈥檙e the master of certain vessels on:
- inland waters in categories A to D, such as canals, rivers, lakes and some estuaries
- 鈥榣imited鈥� coastal area operations - no more than 5 miles from the land and 15 miles from where your vessel sets off or arrives
You may be prosecuted and fined for not having the right boatmasters鈥� licence.
Find out what types and class of vessels can operate on UK inland waters.
When you do not need a licence
You do not need a boatmasters鈥� licence if you鈥檙e in charge of:
- a pleasure vessel, including hire boats used as pleasure vessels
- fishing vessels
Using alternative certificates
Some certificates can be used instead of a boatmasters鈥� licence, including STCW certificates of competency and certificates awarded by the Royal Yachting Association.
If you have an alternative certificate, you must:
- check if you need a paper endorsement or a boat handling test - read sections 3 and 4 of the boatmasters鈥� qualifications and hours of work notice
- download and fill in the application form and send it to your nearest marine office
- pay the right fees
2. Before you apply
Read the boatmasters鈥� qualifications and hours of work notice to find out:
- which vessels you need a boatmasters鈥� licence for
- what kinds of boatmasters鈥� licence you can apply for
- what you need to apply for a boatmasters鈥� licence
- what you need to revalidate a boatmasters鈥� licence
- alternative qualifications you can have instead of a boatmasters鈥� licence
- information on local knowledge requirements
You should also:
- keep records of relevant work and training for your licence application
- check for local regulations, such as byelaws that you may need to know
- check that you have safety training from an approved training provider
3. How to apply
You鈥檒l need to:
- read the boatmasters鈥� qualifications and hours of work notice
- download the application form for a boatmasters鈥� licence
- pay the right fees
Replacing your licence
Download the application form for a replacement boatmasters鈥� licence.
Replacing your licence costs 拢23.
Renewing your licence
Your boatmasters鈥� licence usually lasts 5 years.
Renewing your licence costs 拢31.
Download the boatmasters鈥� licence renewal application form. Send it to the address on the form.
Upgrading your licence
Download the form to upgrade your licence, or add another area to your licence.
The fee for upgrading your licence can vary.
4. Exemptions under the 2006 Boatmasters' Regulations
You need to apply for a 鈥楾ier 2 Level 2鈥� licence before your exemption expires if you want to keep working. This will cover all the areas described on your exemption certificate.
You may be prosecuted and fined for not having the right boatmasters鈥� licence when your exemption expires.
How to apply
If you have an exemption certificate and want to continue working, you must:
- check if you can apply for a Tier 2 boatmasters鈥� licence by reading section 22 of the boatmasters鈥� qualifications and hours of work notice
- download and fill in the application form and send it to your nearest marine office
- pay the right fees