When purchasing a Narrowboat it is important to remember that you will require a Boat Safety Scheme certificate. The purpose of this is to help reduce the risk of fires, explosions, or potentially harming people or environment on the UK inland waterways. Once you gain your BSS certificate, these last for four years, and when the expiry date is near, you will require a BSS examiner to renew your certificate. If you are able to keep up with regular narrowboat maintenance it will help to ensure it is safe when on the inland waterways and definitely help you pass first-time.
If you are buying a used narrowboat, it is possible that the appliances could have become damaged over time and may have even not been set up to meet basic legal requirements.
We’d advise that you take the time to check the following:
Harmful gasses such as carbon monoxide can build up from appliances, but depending on the types of appliances you have on board your boat, the BSS examiner will determine how much ventilation is required. In advance, you should ensure you have a carbon monoxide alarm and smoke detectors installed.
Visit the Boat Safety Scheme website for more details on how to prepare you’re your examination: https://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/boat-examination-and-certification/arranging-the-examination/preparing-for-examination/