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Pleasure Boats

If you wish to operate a pleasure boat or pleasure vessel carrying passengers for hire, you must obtain an appropriate licence from either the Maritime and Coastguard Agency or Vale of Glamorgan Council. Please contact the Local Authority in the first instance to ensure the correct licence and location are applied for.

 

Vale-of-Glamorgan-Council-logo

Department: 

Licensing Team, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Civic Office, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU

 

Application Process

To make application for a Pleasure Boat licence the following must be submitted:

  • Application form
  • Relevant fee
  • Certificate of seaworthiness
  • Public liability insurance

Applicants must contact a marine surveyor approved by a certifying authority to arrange a certificated hull and engine survey of the vessel. The cost of which is borne by the applicant.

 

The approved marine surveyor must complete and sign the certificate of seaworthiness.

 

In making your application the Council will require evidence of valid public liability insurance to a minimum value of two million pounds.

 

If you wish to apply for a boat licence to operate a pleasure boat, the Council must be satisfied that your vessel is safe. Your vessel and its fittings will be examined to ensure that it is in good condition, seaworthy and contains all the necessary safety equipment.

 

Licences are issued for a period of one year; however in the interests of public safety Vale of Glamorgan Council may limit each licence to a seasonal period of operation. This period is between the 1st April (and Good Friday if that date be earlier than the 1st April) and 31st October.

 

Please note that applicants must be at least 18 years of age to make application.

 

Tacit Consent

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact us.

 

The target time period is 70 calendar days.

 

Background and Eligibility Criteria

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has powers under Section 94 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907 (as amended) to licence pleasure boats and pleasure vessels.

 

Licences are granted by the Vale of Glamorgan Council for pleasure boats which carry no more than 12 passengers, are under 24 metres in load line length, and do not operate outside of categorised waters (i.e. waters not regarded as ‘sea’).

 

Categories of water

Category A: Narrow rivers and canals where the depth of water is generally less than 1.5 metres.

 

Category B: Wider rivers and canals where the depth of water is generally more than 1.5 metres and where the significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 0.6 metres at any time.

 

Category C: Tidal rivers and estuaries and large, deep lakes and lochs where the significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 1.2 metres at any time.

 

Small Vessels operating commercially under the British Flag or in British waters must comply with the Merchant Shipping Regulations or an MCA Code of Practice. There are currently four codes for Small (up to 24m) Vessels.

 

Your attention is drawn to The Safety of Small Vessels in Commercial use for Sport or Pleasure Operating From a Nominated Departure point (the Red Code). This code of practice covers the construction, machinery, equipment, stability, operation, manning, examination, certification and maintenance of vessels of up to 24 metres load line length which are in commercial use for sport or pleasure and carry no more than 12 passengers and do not carry cargo, and operate only in favourable weather and daylight from a nominated departure point.

 

Please note that applicants must be at least 18 years of age to make application.

 

Conditions 

Any applicant or licence holder must adhere to the Vale of Glamorgan's byelaws.

 

There are byelaws in relation to Penarth and byelaws in relation to Barry.

 

Licences may be suspended or revoked by Vale of Glamorgan Council if they deem such suspension or revocation to be necessary or desirable in the interests of the public.

 

Fees 

Please contact the Licensing Department for fee information.

 

The cost of the Certificate of Seaworthiness must be borne by the applicant.

 

Supplementary Information

Exemption

In March 2010 the Secretary of State made an exemption for certain vessels to be exempt from specified regulations.

MCA letter of exemption.

 

Categories of boats

Vale of Glamorgan Council licenses boats in the following two categories:

 

Category 1:

Small boats including beach floats, pedalos, canoes, water-ski craft, power surfboards, sailboards self-drive hovercraft, self-drive motorboats, jet-skis and parascending craft let for hire whether in the charge of a licensed boatman or not.

 

Category 2:

Small boats in the charge of a licensed boatman plying for hire or let for hire (e.g. for fishing or tourist trips).

 

In addition the Council is also guided by the Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code produced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities. It is suggested that applicants utilise this document for any additional guidance they may need.

 

Insurance

It is most strongly recommended that the owner/managing agent of a vessel should take out a policy of insurance for all persons who are part of the vessel's complement from time to time. Such insurance must provide cover which is reasonable for claims which may arise.

 

In making your application, the Council will require evidence of valid public liability insurance to a minimum value of two million pounds.

 

A copy of the certificate of insurance must be either displayed or available for inspection by persons on board the vessel.

 

The Council also recommends third party insurance however this will be left to the owner/managing agent's judgement.

 

Offences and Penalties 

Persons who act in contraction of the provisions of section 94 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907 will be liable to an offence of Level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1,000).

 

Complaint and Other Redress

  •  Failed Application Redress

    Please contact the Licensing Team in the first instance:

     

    Tel: 01446 709105

    Email: licensing@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

     

    Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

  •  Licence Holder Redress
    Please contact the Licensing Team in the first instance:

     

    Tel: 01446 709105

    Email: licensing@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

     

    Any person aggrieved by any conditions to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Magistrates Courts who may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

     

    Any person deeming himself aggrieved by the withholding, suspension, or revocation of any licence under the provisions of this section may appeal to a petty sessional court held after the expiration of two clear days after such withholding, suspension, or revocation.

     

    Provided that the person so aggrieved shall give twenty-four hours’ written notice of such appeal, and the ground thereof, to the justices’ chief executive for the court. The court shall have power to make such order as they see fit and to award costs. Such costs to be recoverable summarily as a civil debt.

  •  Consumer Complaint
    We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you, preferably in the form of a letter with proof of delivery. 

     

    If that has not worked and you are located in the UK Consumer Direct will be able to give you advice.    

     

    If you have a complaint from across Europe contact the UK European Consumer Centre.