The Broads Authority obtained powers to introduce the National Boat Safety Scheme to the Broads navigation from 1 April 2007. New powers obtained in the Broads Authority Act 2009 extend these requirements to adjacent waters from April 2010.

The scheme applies to all boats with engines and/or cooking, heating, lighting, refrigerating and other domestic appliances, which will need to pass an examination before they can be permitted to navigate the Broads.

The scheme does not apply to:

• open boats propelled solely by pull-start outboard motors and not carrying spare fuel or;
• yachts with cabins that are not fitted with engines, cooking, heating, lighting, refrigerating and other domestic appliances.

Boat owners are required to demonstrate to the Broads Authority that a BSS certificate is in place when applying for their yearly toll.

Boat owners will have to pay authorised independent examiners to check the craft and issue
certificates. Their fees vary, so it is worth finding an examiner you are happy to use.
Lists of examiners are available from the Broads Authority office or the BSS office and the BSS
website: www.boatsafetyscheme.com/searchforanexaminer

If, in the course of the examination something is found not to meet the expected compliance
option and yet you or your examiner have good evidence that it still meets the goal-setting
requirement, there is a fast-track appeals process starting with the BSS office.

Once a BSS certificate is issued, craft must be maintained to the standard of the scheme throughout the life of the certificate and boat owners need to send a copy of their certificates to the Broads Authority.

BSS examinations will continue to include other safety checks, such as fire escape provision,
flues for toxic fume spillage and power connections for potential for electrocution. If a boat fails
any of these checks, the owner will be formally notified and advice offered.

The Boat Safety Scheme Essential Guide takes you step by step through
the BSS, identifying hazards, approaches to risk reduction techniques, the legal requirements of
the navigation authorities and best practice to keep you and your crew safe.

The guide is available from the BSS website: www.boatsafetyscheme.com or by post from the
Broads Authority or the Boat Safety Scheme Office. It costs £6.30 for the guide and a ring binder,
plus postage and packaging.

For further clarification, please contact the Broads Authority, Dragonfly House, 2 Gilders Way,
Norwich, Norfolk NR3 1UB at www.broads-authority.gov.uk Tel: 01603 610734
or
Boat Safety Scheme, 64 Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 1DA. Tel: 01923 201278.