Owning a boat
Safety on inland waterways
You may need to get a before you can register or buy a licence to use inland waterways, such as rivers and canals.
You do not need a certificate if you have a privately owned 鈥榦pen boat鈥� with no motor, for example a canoe, paddleboard or rowboat.
Some other types of boat (for example privately owned 鈥榦pen boats鈥� with outboard motors and no electrical systems) may also be exempt - check with the navigation authority that manages your chosen waterway.
All boats requiring a BSS certificate have to be tested every 4 years.
You鈥檙e responsible for maintaining your boat to BSS certificate standards between tests.
Find the latest .
Rules of the waterways
You must drive on the right and pass other boats port to port on all waterways.
On rivers, the boat coming downstream has right of way.
Under bridges, the boat closest to the bridge has right of way. Keep right until the boat has passed.
The maximum speed on narrow canals is 4 miles per hour (mph).
The Boater鈥檚 Handbook gives more information on waterway rules.
New boats
New boats should already meet the standards, so you will not need to have them checked.
You may be asked for the certificate proving that your new boat meets the required standards when you register it.
You鈥檒l need to get a BSS certificate after 4 years and renew it every 4 years after that, unless you鈥檙e exempt.
Penalty for not having a certificate
You鈥檒l be penalised if you do not have a certificate for your boat and are not exempt.
The penalty depends on which navigation authority manages the waterway you鈥檙e using.
If you own a commercial boat
You may need a BSS certificate if your boat carries 12 passengers or fewer - check the .
You鈥檒l need a Passenger Certificate issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) if you鈥檙e carrying more than 12 passengers.
You should also check whether you need:
- any statutory certificates
- to meet any other requirements