Guides
What the Boat Safety Scheme checks, system by system, written from the Scheme's own documents.
Do I Need a Boat Safety Certificate? UK Inland Waterway RulesWhen you need a Boat Safety Scheme certificate, how long it lasts, the rules for new boats, and who to ask if you think you are exempt.BSS Examination Checklist: How to Prepare Your BoatA plain checklist for your Boat Safety Scheme examination, based on the BSS's own checking procedures and its list of the ten most common failures.Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets on Boats: What the BSS RequiresThe BSS minimum number of fire extinguishers and fire ratings by boat length, where they must go, and the fire blanket rules, taken from the BSS checking procedures.LPG Gas Safety on Boats: Lockers, Hoses, Leaks and CO AlarmsWhat the Boat Safety Scheme checks on your gas system, and practical steps to keep LPG safe on board, from official BSS, RYA and Canal & River Trust guidance.Boat Ventilation and the BSS: How Much Your Boat NeedsWhy boats need fixed ventilation, how the BSS calculates it from people and appliances, and what the examiner looks for.Boat Batteries and the BSS: Securing, Venting and IsolatingLoose batteries top the BSS list of common failures. Here is what the examiner checks on your batteries, and the BSS advice on lithium-ion safety.Bilge Pumps, Engine Trays and the BSS: What Is CheckedThe BSS does not require a bilge pump, but it does check engine trays, pumping oily water, and bilge pump wiring. Here is what to know.How Much Does a Narrowboat Survey Cost? How to Get a Clear QuoteSurvey prices vary, so get written quotes. Here is what to ask, and how a survey differs from a Boat Safety Scheme examination.
Every guide lists its sources and the date we checked them. We're independent and not part of the Boat Safety Scheme; if a guide differs from the Scheme's own documents, theirs is right. See the BSS checklist for the short version.