Review of hirer safety

Published: Thursday, 29 August 2013

THE Canal & River Trust is inviting hire boat operators to participate in a general review of hirer safety at regional open forums across the county.

The review, to which other interested parties are also invited, is limited to self-drive, powered hire boats, with or without overnight accommodation, and we are told 'has the intention of striking an appropriate balance between the roles and responsibilities of the navigation authorities, hire operators and hirers in ensuring hirer safety'.

Influence BSS

The outcomes will influence the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) standards for hire boats, which were last reviewed in 2002, as well as ensuring that safety-focussed licensing conditions for hire boat operators are proportionate.

The review is being administered through the support committees of the BSS started in July this year, with Vince Moran, Chairman of the BSS Management Committee explaining:

"I would encourage every hire boat operator to get involved and come along to one of our forums if possible. You will hear about our interim review results and we would like you to share your valuable hirer safety experiences."

Key questions

  • How safe is hire-boating?
  • What are the biggest risks?
  • What, if anything, should we do to reduce them?

With Vince adding:

"We aim to share the answers and get your input at the forums."

The forums are taking place during early November in Coventry (7th), Oxford (11th), Wroxham (13th) and Leeds (14th).

Shared knowledge

By the end of the event, we are told that participants will have shared their knowledge and experience of hirer safety; had the opportunity to influence the BSS hire boat requirements and navigation authority hire boat licensing conditions relevant to hirer safety; helped to define the roles and responsibilities that the navigation authorities, hire operators and the hirers themselves have for safe boating.

To find out more about the hirer safety review and, if you are a hire operator to find the link for the event booking form go to www.boatsafetyscheme.org/hirer-safety-review-2013. Bookings should be made by Thursday 17th October.

Any hire operator who cannot make the events will have another opportunity to provide their views in an open public consultation on any proposed changes, planned for the Spring of 2014.