MAIB report on Emma Louise CO deaths

The Marine Accident Investigation Board have published their accident investigation report into the double fatality on board the privately owned sports cruiser Emma Louise on 11 January 2022, highlighting the need for further work to raise awareness among pleasure craft users about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO). You can read the report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/emma-louise-report-and-safety-flyer-published […]

Changes at Boat Safety

David Fletcher explains the new Examination Check Procedures. The BSS team members are on a campaign at the moment to improve the consistency and quality of the examinations. We are all familiar with the discussions about how my boat passed last time, so why has it failed now? These events do nothing to improve the […]

A sad reminder of the CO danger

Every so often, something happens that brings home the dangers closely associated with our way of life and hobby. Preventing carbon monoxide (CO) accumulation has been in the forefront of the fight to make life on a boat safer, with compulsory CO meters, adequate ventilation and a programme to make boaters more aware of the […]

Yet More on CO

David Fletcher has news of a study to monitor CO in boats. Carbon monoxide (CO) continues to kill several boaters every year. The BSS requirement for alarms was introduced last year, accompanied by a significant press campaign, but there continue to be incidents, and the number of boats failing examination on this point continues to […]

COVID-19 News Boat Safety Scheme Examinations Temporary Suspension

COVID-19 News Boat Safety Scheme Examinations Temporary Suspension Following the most recent announcement from the Prime Minister regarding the UK’s response to the coronavirus crisis, the joint owners of the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) are allowing a temporary extension to safety certificates for those craft requiring an examination in the period until the 14th April. […]

More on CO

David Fletcher requests help from members for some new research. Last time, I talked about the new BSS requirements for carbon monoxide alarms and the issues with ventilation. I explained that there is a good deal that we do not understand about ventilation and air changes in boat cabins. A major new study is planned […]

Carbon monoxide latest

The silent killer Carbon monoxide latest It’s not just for exam day, it saves lives says BSS representative David Fletcher The requirement for a CO alarm in all boats with ac­commodation became a BSS requirement in April. This applies to all boats immedi­ately, even if your examination was as late as March and you will […]