How many??

[boomer]

Hi Folks

Its many years since I lived and kept a boat in the UK but I seem to remember, common-sense and safe loading considerations apart, some arbitrary limit as to the number of passengers a private leisure craft was allowed to carry was imposed by the Board of Trade. Can anyone tell me whether such a limit is still in force and perhaps point me to a site where I could get more detailed information please. This might need to be taken into account in our plans for visiting the UK this Summer. Thank you.

Elaine Boomer

 

[rafiki_]

For the last 15 or so years, leisure boats have been CE marked. This gives the accredited number of passengers, and the level of seaworthiness (coastal, off shore etc). Boats older than this would not have the marking. You might want to look at the BMF (British Marine Federation), or RYA websites which should be able to give you all the info you need. The RYA will give you more safety info.

 

[Tranona]

There is no limit on the number of passengers you can carry legally on a private leisure boat. Although the CE mark includes the number of passengers there is no legislation to enforce it in practice. There are no regulations (other than a minimum subset of SOLAS to do with passage planning and radar reflectors) for boats under 13.7m, but safety equipment requirements above that.

Restrictions and constraints come in as soon as the boat is deemed to be used "commercially" and then there is a whole set of rules covering design, area of operation, safety equipment, carry capacity and crewing qualifications. You can find information on safety of private leisure boats on the RYA site and on commercial craft from the MCA.

 

[rosssavage]

Hi Elaine,

If you plan to visit an Environment Agency managed river (Thames, Medway etc...) there is a limit of 12, although I'm struggling to find where that's written down.

Shades, Teddington lock - care to comment?

https://www.gov.uk/owning-a-boat/safety-on-inland-waterways
This only refers to commercial boats?

 

[Alpha22]

I have seen a boat refused passage at a Thames lock due to more than 12 onboard. The lockie was more than happy when the 13 and 14th person decamped to the tender that was being towed. (Jobsworth!)
The majority of the passengers were young scouts (11-13 years) so weighed nothing significant. The towed tender was already loaded with stores and was certainly over weight and a bit unstable before the 13 and 14th body boarded.