If you own a boat, then you have a responsibility to ensure it meets certain safety standards. A boat safety certificate can provide confirmation that your vessel is compliant with all relevant safety regulations.
What is a Boat Safety Certificate?
If your vessel has a boat safety certificate, it means that a qualified surveyor has inspected your boat to confirm that it meets various safety standards. Think of it as a boat equivalent of an MOT: It means your boat is safe for you, your passengers, and other waterway users.
To get your boat safety certificate, you will have to satisfy certain regulations concerning your boat’s:
- Electrical systems, including wiring and batteries
- Fuel systems, including gas systems
- Fire extinguishers, alarms, and other fire safety equipment
- Bilge pumps and drainage systems
- Navigation lights, signals, and other emergency features
Who Needs a Boat Safety Certificate?
You will likely need a boat safety certificate if you want to take your boat on most UK canals, rivers, or waterways. And even if boat safety certificates are not required on your waterway, you may need to get a short-term visitor licence if you want to visit waterways where certificates are a prerequisite.
However, some boats are exempt from these requirements.
Boat Safety Certificate Exemptions
For example, you may not need a boat safety certificate if your boat does not have any gas, electrical, heating, or fuel systems.
Plus, a brand new boat may already comply with all relevant safety standards, and you may even receive a certificate when you purchase the boat.
However, if your boat is fully fitted, you will need to get a safety certificate after four years.
And if it is sail away, and you plan to fit it out yourself, then you will need to get a safety certificate after one year, even if you are still in the process of fitting out your boat.
How Much is a Boat Safety Certificate?
The amount you pay for a boat safety certificate will depend on the size and type of your boat, along with its condition. Different surveyors will charge different amounts, too.
You should expect to pay around £150 to £300 for the inspection and the certificate. But if the inspection reveals that your boat needs some additional work to meet the relevant safety standards, then the process will end up costing you some more.
How To Get a Boat Safety Certificate
To get a boat safety certificate, you will need to find a qualified examiner to survey your boat, and issue it a certificate.
It is important to choose a reputable examiner. Check the list of examiners registered to the official Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) to find a surveyor you can trust.
The BSS also lists the full requirements for your boat to get certified, along with the details of the examination and certification process.
Will a Boat Safety Certificate Affect My Insurance?
Some insurers may specify that you need a boat safety certificate as a condition of cover. If you are caught using a regulated waterway without a valid certificate, then it may invalidate your insurance.
As we mentioned above, a boat safety certificate acts as confirmation that your boat meets all relevant safety regulations. Certification proves that you take safety on the waterways seriously. So in some cases, a boat safety certificate could help you save money on the cost of cover, as it will demonstrate your commitment to safe boating.
Everard Insurance Brokers are the specialist marine trading division of accredited Lloyd’s brokers James Hallam Limited. We can help you ensure your boat meets all relevant safety standards, and we can help you access the specialist cover you need at a competitive price.
Find out more about our dedicated marine insurance services.