The consultation, due to launch in December 2026, is being developed with boaters and boating organisations following recommendations made by the Independent Commission on Boat Licensing. As part of the process, we have completed a programme of stakeholder workshops and recruited a Citizens’ Boater Panel to help shape consultation materials before they are published, ensuring they are informed by evidence, engagement, and a broad range of boating experiences.
Applications
Applications for the Citizens’ Boater Panel have now closed, with around 40 volunteer boaters set to be selected through an independent, anonymised process designed to reflect the diversity of the boating community.
Over the summer, we held workshops with members of its Navigation Advisory Group, boater representatives and national boating organisations to help shape both the scope of the consultation and how information will be presented. Feedback has emphasised the importance of ensuring the consultation is evidence-based, clearly explains the rationale behind any proposed changes, reflects the diversity of boating experiences, and focuses on areas where public input can genuinely influence future decisions.
Alongside this engagement, we have been developing a detailed evidence paper relating to each of the 36 recommendations made by the Independent Commission. The work is helping identify where robust evidence already exists, where knowledge gaps remain, and where further research may be needed before some proposals can be taken forward.
Boat licensing matters to everyone
Matthew Symonds, our head of boating and customer service, said: “Boat licensing matters to everyone on the water, so it’s important that we take the time to develop this consultation carefully and collaboratively.
“We’ve been encouraged by the level of engagement we’ve seen so far, both through our stakeholder workshops and through the response to the Citizens’ Boater Panel recruitment.
“The feedback we’ve received is helping us create a consultation that is clear, evidence-based and focused on the areas where public input can have the greatest impact. We’re grateful to everyone who has contributed to the process so far and look forward to hearing from boaters when the consultation launches in December.”
We've provided updates throughout the development process through direct emails, Boaters’ Update, social media, its website and printed information distributed across the network.
