Exhibit boats

’Exhibit’ boats are owned by or formally on loan to a recognised canal society, museum or visitor centre.

An ‘Exhibit’ boat is one that is owned by or formally on loan to a recognised canal society, museum or visitor centre. Most remain permanently moored at that museum or visitor centre and there is no admission charge that relates specifically to that boat (an admission charge for the whole attraction that includes the boat is permitted). It is not used for any other trading purpose such as the display or sale of gifts or refreshments or trips of any kind, neither may it be used for the personal, private, pleasure use of owners, volunteers or others. Boats used for those purposes must be licensed for those uses. Exhibit boats may navigate to keep them in working order or to travel from one event to another.

Regulations

Insurance

You will need an insurance policy that provides public liability cover to a value of £2m for damage or injury caused to anyone visiting the boat.

Boat Safety Scheme Certificate

You will need a Boat Safety Scheme certificate. If you want to allow people on board, you will need to make sure that the Part 10 inspection has been carried out. If the boat is an unpowered butty please provide a Boat Safety Scheme Exemption Declaration instead. We will accept a Declaration of Conformity with the Recreational Craft Directive in place of a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate if the boat is less than four years old (one year, in the case of ‘sail aways’).

Boat Licence

We will give you a free Standard Craft Licence provided that the boat meets all of the criteria set out above.

Other regulations

Other regulations may apply to your business. Please read our General Guidance section and make your own independent enquiries to ensure that you understand and comply with all the regulations relevant to your proposed operation.

You should complete an Operating Proposal if you wish to licence a new exhibit boat.