Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code

INTRODUCTION

PLEASE NOTE: Clauses which apply specifically to vessels operating in Category A and B waters and Category C and D waters, are displayed in bold type.  Clauses not in bold type apply to all categories.

1 This Code is a Best Practice Guide for the use of operators, designers, builders, competent authorities and users. It is not a statutory Code, but may be applied under mandatory licensing regimes by local competent authorities. The standards it contains should be applied in accordance with the level of risk identified by operators and competent authorities.

1.2 Background

The safety of vessels carrying no more than twelve passengers in inland waters was a concern raised at the 1999 meeting of the Maritime Safety Co-ordinating Committee (MSCC) by the South of England District Marine Safety Committee (DMSC).  An informal survey revealed that up to 600 such vessels were operating in the UK.  It was proposed that a working group be established, involving all interested parties, to develop national standards for these vessels.  The organisations involved in this working group are listed at Annex 1.

1.3 Audience

The Code, agreed by the Working Group and published jointly by the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), is designed to assist:

- those operating such vessels, who have duties under health and safety legislation to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew (see paragraph 3.5), by laying down industry best practice;

- those with powers to license or register these vessels and protect public safety, by setting out a national standard which can be used as the basis for vessel licensing/inspection.

1.4 Amendments

The Code will be kept under continuous review to ensure that it remains compatible with other relevant codes and standards.  Amendments may be published from time to time.  There will be a formal review of the Code not later than five years from the date of publication, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding five years.  The most recent amendments will be available via the MCA and AINA websites www.mcga.gov.uk (under ‘Guidance and Regulations’ then ‘Inland waterways’) and www.aina.org.uk and published in relevant boating and waterway magazines.

1.5 Definitions

Definitions of terms in bold type used in this Code are defined in Annex 2.  A list of the Regulations and Publications referred to in this Code, as well as where to obtain copies of them, is listed in Annex 3.