Boat Safety Certificate

[stownsend]

Morning All

I'm just expoloring areas to make the boat more attractive to buyers (following some discussions on PBO's area). I had quite a few ask if she had a BSC. I've had a quick search on the internet and seen the BSC guidelines but not on the costs or examiners fees, in particualar around the cardiff area, also would this be a good idea ?

Cheers

Stu

 

[tinkicker0]

Any sort of record of safety inspection will be good, although I would have thought the buyer's survey would have included all the relevant checks. You could always say you have personally done the checks and are satisfied that it would comply with the regs, any shortfalls the surveyor found would be made good and a certificate supplied before final purchase.

 

[Renegade_Master]

dont the RNLI do a free safety inspection?

 

[moonraker 36]

bsc is not the same as a marine survey.
you will find the your boat will pass a normal survey, but will fail a bsc .
like you can'nt have any kind of glass fuel bowl's filters.
the diesel tank as to be vented to the outside.
you might have to added extra vents to your cabin doors and roof's.
were you keep your gas bottle and such...

 

[Barry Jones]

A BSC is needed on a lot of inland waterways. Its not that expensive to get a BSS surveyor to inspect and issue a certificate. It gets expensive if you need to make remedial work to meet the requirement.

Anybody wanting to take the boat on many inlands waterways will need the BSC to get a navigation licence (e.g. British Waterways).

Although not a very strict test, the BSS covers a lot of basic stuff and it is a safety certificate (to some degree at least).

Have a word with your local BSS surveyors and they will give you some idea of cost.

 

[stownsend]

I was looking for rough costs, my boat is just under 23ft so doesn't need a survey for insurance purposes and is valued at around £4500 to £5000. I had a look at the BSC guidelines when I refurbished her a few years ago so she shouyld be OK but just wondered if it would improve her saleability by having the certificate.

Cheers

Stu

 

[Barry Jones]

About £150 for the certificate and the attendance.
Check travelling costs as these are usually extra if they have to travel out of their normal region.

There is no set charge for the inspection, so thats why its best to get quotes from a few local BSS surveyors.

 

[ProDave]

but just wondered if it would improve her saleability by having the certificate.

Cheers

Stu

Only if your boat is likely to sell to someone who wants to use her on a canal or river.

 

[Barry Jones]

Your advert says "She is a sturdy sea boat but also comfortable on rivers and canals", which is probably why you are getting the question.

 

[Sulley]

We had our boat done this year, it cost £400 including the work done to pass the inspection, the actual inspection and the certificate.

The biggest expense was the bilge water filter, other items were sufficient in date fire extinguishers, safety stickers etc.

The BSC lasts for 4 years which is why people often like a boat to already have it if they are planning on using the boat on the rivers.

 

[rafiki_]

Ours cost £115.

 

[stownsend]

Have you any info on the bilge water filter, i've got a standard one within the engine tray which pumps directly out.

Cheers

Stu

 

[Sulley]

I don't know if you keep back copies ogf MBM? March 2011 on page 80 had a step by step article.

"The BSS regulations say that a bilge pump must not draw from an area where leaking oil or fuel may gather. This means that an engineroom bilge pump is likely to fail the BSS examination unless there is a seperate cathment area beneath the engine to retain any spills"

We have a 285 Bayliner and the BSC examiner wouldn't pass it without one, however I have heard some will!!!

As per MBM atricle - www.wavestream.co.uk total cost £156 (leisure systems)

If you don't have the old MBM PM me and I'll scan the article for you.

 

[RogerG]

BSC is currently £140-150 and is essential if the boat is to be used on the rivers and canals. Certainly all BW and EA controlled waterways require it before they will issue a licence and the Broads Authority have now also introduced it.

All the requirements are detailed on the website http://www.boatsafetyscheme.com/site/Home_1.asp

They cover areas such as fire extinguisher requirements, gas fittings and piping, gas and fuel storage, electrical safety, cabin ventilation etc. If the boat fails, it is up to you to rectify the problems, but the re-test is free. Most of the areas tested are common sense safety checks and personally I think are well worth the cost of inspection every four years. My 35 year old Albin motorsailer has passed with minimal work for the last two inspections.

Roger