Operating as a business - What's needed?!

[cw212010]

Hi all,

With many a year under my belt on the power boat side of life I was having a chat with someone today who is considering starting a business running river tours (He's got 10 years under his belt) - Yet neither of us could actually think of what (if any) legislation needs to be met to do something like this.

Both of us have our Level 2 certificates but curiosity got the better of me and I cannot find anything online that suggests a person need be qualified or licensed by a marine body in any way shape or form?!

Is this true?

 

[Tranona]

Yes. If you are charging for your tours you will need to be commercially endorsed and the boat will need to be coded. Depending on where you operate you may also require a licence from the body responsible for the waters.

 

[mm42]

As Tranona says Commercial Endorsement (you'll need an acceptable first aid qualification, a sea survival ticket (either RYA or STCW) a medical and a PPR course), a coded boat (with all that brings, eg safety equipment), insurance, permission from the navigation authority for the river (often Canals and Rivers Trust), they'll often want a Boat Safety Scheme ticket for the boat before they'll issue the licence.

 

[mlines]

A boater in our marina does it....

http://www.blackfeatherboatcharter.co.uk/

Martin

 

[ProDave]

when I did my PBL2 I was told there was a "commercial endorsement" you need to add to it for commercial work, so that should be your first step.