How many is too many people?

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NiceGuyEddie

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I'm just starting my boating adventure by renting a boat on the Thames. I've rented one of these in August: Caprice Boat | Overview & Features | Le Boat
It sleeps 6, but along the route we're planning to meet up with possibly 6 friends.
Question is ... how many people can a boat like this have onboard safely? What would happen if I had 12 on board, even if stationary? Or for short cruises?

Thanks,
 
For clarity its on the non-tidal Thames near Reading. 3 of the people would be children.

I haven't asked the company yet because I'm assuming they will have a standard policy and want to understand if that standard policy also matches common sense from experienced boaters.
 
Your rented boat's insurance will be invalid if you have more than the owners allow on board. Best to ask them.
They will be experienced boaters.
 
You need to speak to the company, in my opinion, because if you carry more passengers than their recommendation then I expect it will infringe their insurance. Dreadful accidents are quite possible in inland waters. As skipper you would be liable and could go to prison.
 
Thames by-law says 12 max on board unless a commercial ticketed boat, but the hire company may refuse anyway.
Having said that I have seen many similar boats hired and then loaded with friends at riverside events.
 
NiceGuyEddie said:
I'm just starting my boating adventure by renting a boat on the Thames. I've rented one of these in August: Caprice Boat | Overview & Features | Le Boat
It sleeps 6, but along the route we're planning to meet up with possibly 6 friends.
Question is ... how many people can a boat like this have onboard safely? What would happen if I had 12 on board, even if stationary? Or for short cruises?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Read the Terms and Conditions

13. g. Conduct
Any boat or other accommodation we arrange for you must only be used by those people named on your Confirmation Invoice or on latest amendment invoice issued. You are not allowed to share the boat or let anyone else stay on board.
Click to expand...
 
Chris_d said:
Thames by-law says 12 max on board unless a commercial ticketed boat, but the hire company may refuse anyway.
Having said that I have seen many similar boats hired and then loaded with friends at riverside events.
Click to expand...

I have been corrected by an authoritive source :) the actual wording is:

The restrictions is no more than 12 passengers.
you can have 12 passengers plus a skipper.
you can also have sufficient crew and waiting staff, provided they are all employed for that purpose and have contracts to carry out the work.
 
I suppose that there are 3 answers.

1. The number permitted under law for that combination of boat, skipper, location & conditions.
2. The number permitted by the hirer
3. The number decided by an experienced skipper bearing in mind boat, nature of crew/guests, location and likely/actual conditions.

A lot depends on the crew - 12 experienced boaters on a 6 berth boat is one thing, 1 newbie skipper, 8 drinking & inexperienced guests and 3 over excited & out of control kids - a nightmare!

Still, 12 on that would be a squeeze - best for a party whilst moored up and a few can chat on the Riverside.
 
It would depend how they interpret "share" If an extra 6 people came for the whole day I think they would (rightly) object.
 
Caraway said:
So what?
I posted the T&Cs of the company in question, Le Boat.
You are not allowed to share the boat or let anyone else stay on board.
Click to expand...
I assume that's a crack at me (it usually is :) )

I was thinking, in general how one determines the safe capacity.

As a subsequent correspondent has said, a casual visitor or two for a short visit may be quite different to the restrictions outlined in the documentation. I would have thought that having a couple of friends on for a cuppa whilst moored + the 6 berth occupying people would be quite ok.

In any case, the prudent skipper should not consider that the maximum number allowed by a hirer is safe or appropriate in all conditions and with any mix of guests.
 
The legal limit on my little yacht in Australia was 10 (on a small, 28' , 6 berth yacht). However, this was reduced in certain poor conditions - which made me wonder if I was supposed to chuck a couple off into the sea if the weather cut up rough!
 
Hire boats are governed by the Hire Boat Code: https://assets.publishing.service.g...ttachment_data/file/889684/hbc_issue_1_v1.pdf

The code requires all hire boats to have undergone a stability test and the maximum number of persons permitted on board is regulated by section:
4.3.2 Decked Powered Boats The maximum number of persons on the boat, excluding the number permitted on cabin top or side-deck shall not exceed twice the total plan area (in m2 ) of cockpits that are either open to the air or or equipped with portable means of shelter (sliding tops, canvas covers, etc)

Small passenger craft may take no more than 12 persons (plus 2 crew), over that they become subject to the passenger ship regulations. Private vessels are governed by the requirements of the relevant insurance company.

So the answer to your query is, it depends on what your hire company allows which will be no more than 12 or less most likely. Don't attempt to flout the rules, overloaded boats are unstable and likely to capsize by sudden shifts in weight distribution, power turning and excessive wash from other boats.
 
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