Prepare for a BSS examination.
Get your boat records and access arrangements ready, and speak to an authorised examiner about the requirements that apply to your boat.
A certificate and routine care have different roles.
The Boat Safety Scheme is an examination scheme. A certificate is not a survey of every part of the boat, a repair manual, an insurance acceptance or proof that nothing has changed since the examination. Maintain the boat and equipment between examinations.
Requirements depend on the boat, use and navigation authority. Start with the official BSS website and check which examination category and arrangements apply. This page is general preparation guidance; Inland Boat is not an examiner.
Before the appointment.
Confirm the scope with the examiner
Describe the craft, appliances and actual use, including hire or passenger operations. Ask the authorised examiner what documents, preparation and safe access they require for the applicable checks.
Gather the boat records
Find your existing certificate, previous examination findings, equipment instructions and service records. Tell the examiner about changes since the previous examination and any unresolved faults.
Arrange safe access
Keep ordinary access and escape routes clear. Discuss inaccessible installations in advance. Do not dismantle gas, fuel, mains electrical or battery systems to prepare for a generic checklist.
Resolve hazards promptly
A known leak, damaged cable, faulty appliance or alarm needs appropriate action now. A booked examination is not permission to keep operating a suspect system.
Check the recorded certificate date.
In date
Keep the certificate with your ownership records and diary its renewal requirements. Inland Boat does not verify a certificate.
Expired
Tell the provider and authority honestly. Ask what is required before renewal or purchase; do not assume an expired certificate is acceptable.
Unknown
Check your boat records or ask the official scheme rather than guessing: Boat Safety Scheme · accessed 18 September 2026.
If you smell gas, find fuel in the bilge or damaged mains electrics, or hear a carbon monoxide alarm, move people to safety and seek qualified help. Call 999 if there is immediate danger. Do not investigate or repair live systems.
Sources and next steps.
CRT: Boat Safety Scheme explains the relationship to CRT licensing. It was reviewed for our maintenance content on 7 October 2026.
BSS: Carbon monoxide advice provides the scheme's safety information. Source reviewed 7 October 2026.
Editorial review: 7 October 2026. Check the scheme's current instructions and the requirements of your navigation authority. This preparation guide is not an official examination checklist.