How many passengers is a safe load?

Mirror Painter

Mirror Painter

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Hello all,

I have recently become the very proud owner of a 16' cruiser - a Marina 16GT. I'm learning quickly from the internet and my kind neighbours at the mooring. One question remains unanswered though - how many people might I safely carry on my small boat?

I'm not looking to cram as many as possible aboard, more a case of wanting to know that if four adults and a, (life jacketed child), were content to stand together / sit below in turns would that be acceptable?

Thanks,

Stephen.

P.S. Boats specs:

Marina 16GT
LOA - 4.96m
Beam - 2.09m
Draft - 0.16m
Speed - 30knots with 50hp. (mine does not have a 50HP !!)
 
Five or six adults wouldn't be a problem, as long as they were all aware of a few potential issues:

1/ Too many people on the bows is going to make it very unstable.

2/ Too many people looking at the nice duckies at the same time will cause it to heel over rather quickly, and possibly terminally, or at least may cause somebody to overbalance.

3/ The boat will be crowded, and uncomfortable, but you know that!

No real issues, remember you're the Skipper, so liable, and therefore you need to assert your authority with the guests aboard!
 
Does your boat have a manufacturer stated maximum? If so then check with your insurers (if it's insured). Worst case scenario is someone is injured (on your boat or a 3rd party), sues you, then you find you aren't covered because your insurer thinks you are overloaded.

Jamie
 
Flying Penguin said:
Does your boat have a manufacturer stated maximum? If so then check with your insurers (if it's insured). Worst case scenario is someone is injured (on your boat or a 3rd party), sues you, then you find you aren't covered because your insurer thinks you are overloaded.

Jamie
Click to expand...
'took the words' etc.....
After that it's a case of try it and see/find out.
It can very much depend upon the relationship you have with your guests when taking on a 'full load'.

I've shared my boat with my sons 5 pals at sea with poor conditions and all being wet through. ........Easy!
However, a quiet trip on a pleasant summers day down the Thames at Wallingford could be hell with the wrong mother-in-law!
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies which are reassuring. There is no plate stating the number of maximum persons and I've not found that information online - hence the question!

Yes, the boat is insured.

Yes, the M.I.L has a wide berth. But no interest in boating forums...
 
Thought it might be worth giving the Thames Navigation Bye Laws an airing as they are quite specific about this:
Overloading
72 The owner or master or person in charge of any vessel shall not permit the loading of that vessel to exceed the loading limits whether expressed by weight or numbers of persons for which that vessel was designed or is constructed nor shall he permit that load to be distributed in or on the vessel in such a way as injuriously to affect the vessel’s stability or manoeuvrability. Provided that not more than one of such owner master or person in charge shall be punished in respect of the same offence.

Boatman’s Licence
73 The master of any passenger vessel used or navigated on the Thames and carrying twelve or more passengers shall hold the appropriate Licence issued by the Department of Transport and shall upon demand of by any Officer of the Authority produce such Licence or Certificate for inspection to that officer or shall within five days produce the same at the Authority’s Navigation Office at Reading.
Click to expand...
So, regardless of the size of the boat. 12 people is the maximum unless the skipper holds a Boatman's Licence.
 
boatone said:
Thought it might be worth giving the Thames Navigation Bye Laws an airing as they are quite specific about this:

So, regardless of the size of the boat. 12 people is the maximum unless the skipper holds a Boatman's Licence.
Click to expand...

and the vessel will require MCA REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION.

just the same as any passenger boat carrying more than 12 passengers,crew,or guests
 
boatone said:
Thought it might be worth giving the Thames Navigation Bye Laws an airing as they are quite specific about this:

So, regardless of the size of the boat. 12 people is the maximum unless the skipper holds a Boatman's Licence.
Click to expand...

The wording 'Passenger Vessel' seems to imply a boat used to carry fare paying passengers rather than a private vessel with guests on board.
 
Moxon said:
Hello all,

I have recently become the very proud owner of a 16' cruiser - a Marina 16GT. I'm learning quickly from the internet and my kind neighbours at the mooring. One question remains unanswered though - how many people might I safely carry on my small boat?

I'm not looking to cram as many as possible aboard, more a case of wanting to know that if four adults and a, (life jacketed child), were content to stand together / sit below in turns would that be acceptable?

Thanks,

Stephen.

P.S. Boats specs:

Marina 16GT
LOA - 4.96m
Beam - 2.09m
Draft - 0.16m
Speed - 30knots with 50hp. (mine does not have a 50HP !!)
Click to expand...

4 adults will be ok and maybe a child or 2 at a pinch. You will not be popular with moored up boats though as you will be producing much wash even at 6mph.
Should be a plate or sticker somewhere giving max loading details.

Generally if the gunnels are a half inch under water, this is a bad thing. :D
 
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