Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code
For a printable version of this document, click here: Small Passenger Boat Code (PDF 406KB).
Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA)
The Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) was set up in December 1996 with strong encouragement from Government to provide, for the first time ever, a single voice on waterway management issues. The broad purpose of AINA is to facilitate the management, maintenance and development of the inland waterways for navigation as an economic, environmental, recreational and social resource.
AINA has 30 members including the three large navigation authorities – British Waterways, the Environment Agency, the Broads Authority – and also local authorities, drainage commissioners, property development companies, port and harbour authorities, original canal companies, national parks, the National Trust, and other charitable trusts.
Between them, AINA members own, operate and manage some 5,000 km of waterway representing almost a complete UK coverage. Each member has its own constitution, aims and objectives and, in many cases, Acts of Parliament regulating the operation of their waterways.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible throughout the UK for implementing the Government’s maritime safety policy. That includes co-ordinating search and rescue at sea by Her Majesty’s Coastguard and checking that ships meet UK and international safety rules.
The MCA is the national competent authority for ship standards, crew competency and health and safety. As such, it is responsible for national standards for inland waterway vessels and training for boatmasters. MCA has provided the secretariat to the working group on the development of the Inland waters small Passenger Boat Code.
Sound practice, safer waters
Until now, there has been no national standard for small commercial vessels (carrying up to 12 passengers) using the UK’s inland and estuarial waters.
The Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), however, have published these best practice guidelines, which could be relevant to you.
The Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code was developed by a team of industry experts and modified following extensive public consultation. Allowing for each operator’s experience and own interpretation of risk, the Code gives safety advice to operators, licensing authorities and regulators.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter
2 – How to use this Code
Chapter 3 - Application and Interpretation
Chapter
4 - Construction and Structural Strength
Chapter 5 - Weathertight
Integrity
Chapter 6 - Water Freeing Arrangement /Deck Drainage
Category
A & B Waters
Category C Waters
Category
D Waters
Chapter 7 – Machinery
Diesel Engines
Petrol
Engines
Steam Powered Engines
LPG
Powered Engines
Electrically Powered Engines
Chapter 8
Electrical Installation
Chapter 9
Steering Gear / Steering Position
Chapter 10
Bilge Pumping / Drainage
Chapter 11 - Stability -
Motor Vessels
Inflatable
Boats
Sailing Vessels
Sailing Multihull Vessels
Chapter 12 - Freeboard
Category A &B
Waters - Motor Vessels
Category C&D Waters - Motor Vessels
Inflatable
Boats
Chapter 13 - Life Saving Appliances
Category A &
B Waters
Category C Waters
Category
D Waters
Chapter 14
Fire Safety
Chapter 15 - Fire Fighting Appliances
Category
A Waters
Category B Waters
Category
C and D Waters
Chapter 16
Communications Equipment
Chapter 17
Navigation Lights, Shapes and Sound Signals
Chapter 18
Miscellaneous Equipment - Categories A and
B
Chapter 19
Appropriate Navigation Equipment - Categories
C and D
Chapter 20
Anchors and Cables
Chapter 21
Accommodation
Chapter 22 – Protection of Personnel
Category A &
B waters
Category C & D waters
Chapter 23
First Aid Kit
Chapter 24
Tenders (Dinghies)
Chapter 25
Prevention of Pollution
Chapter 26 - Manning – The Skipper
Minimum qualifications
– Category A & B waters
Minimum qualifications – Category C &
D waters
Medical Fitness
Eyesight
Standards
Chapter 27
Responsibility of the Operator for Safe
Manning of the Vessel
Chapter 28
Additional Crew Members
Chapter 29
Fatigue – Working Time Regulations
Chapter 30
First Aid Courses
Chapter 31
Safety Briefing
Chapter 32
Drugs and Alcohol Policy
Chapter 33
Revalidation of Certificates and Licences
Annex 1 - Development of the Code
Annex
2 - Definitions
Annex 3 - Regulations and Publications
Annex
4 - Guidance on Safety Management System
Annex 5 - Beachcraft
Guidelines
Annex 6 - Guidance for transiting vessels
Annex
7 - General Mutual Recognition Clause
Annex 8 - Stability
Annex
9 - Freeboard
Annex 10 - Guidance on freeboard measurement
for motor vessels and Stability Assessment
Annex 11 - Listed medical
conditions
Annex 12 - Safety Briefing