New safety controls on the Broads next year
New safety controls on the Broads designed to help the boating public will be introduced next spring following the passing of the Broads Authority Act in July.
The key provisions of the Act, which updates the 1988 Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act, require Broads registered boats to have third party insurance and hire craft to be licensed from April 2010. Boats which are moored in adjacent waters will also have to be registered, insured and carry a boat safety certificate. The Act also makes the voluntary system for managing water skiing compulsory and develops the Boat Safety Scheme.
Stephen Johnson, Chairman of the Broads Authority, said: “I am absolutely delighted that this important updating of our legislation has finally become law. We are now implementing the provisions with the aim of making the Broads an even safer place to enjoy.”
From April 2010 owners of unpowered boats of 6m² and over and all powered boats will be required to have third party insurance with a minimum cover of £2million and the Broads Authority will check the compliance as boat owners renew their tolls. The Navigation Committee will consider the requirements for visiting craft at their next meeting in December.
Hire boat licences will ensure that vessels, which include day boats, will be marked for a maximum number of passengers which can be carried, following the boats being tested for stability, that there will be lifejackets on board for all passengers, and that the hirer is given boat handling instruction.
The Broads Authority Act will enable the Boat Safety Scheme, a four yearly boat MOT designed to reduce the risk of fire and explosion, to be maintained in line with the national scheme.
The Act will also allow the current voluntary arrangements for managing water skiing to be formalised under permit conditions. These allow the number of ski permits to be limited, requires water skiers to have insurance and a ski boat driver qualification and boats to be tested for noise and wash.
It also ensures the future of Haddiscoe Cut, which links the Rivers Yare and Waveney, as a right of navigation. Although it is in the Broads Authority’s navigation area it is owned by the Environment Agency, which is responsible for maintaining the banks and flood defences. The Broads Authority has agreed to maintain the channel to a depth of 2m at average low water.
04/11/09
