New Boatmasters' Licence "should be suspended"

Summary

The Thames is the busiest and most complex inland waterway in the UK and can be extremely challenging.

This Report 'The new National Boatmasters' Licence' (HC 320-I), from the House of Commons Transport Committee, examines the issues surrounding the introduction of the new National Boatmasters' Licence, which aims to underpin safety on inland waterways but has been highly controversial.

The regulations introducing the new Licence have proved to be controversial, with opposition being led by the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames. The Company think the new Licence will lower the high standards they have previously maintained.

In addition, there is a problem in the scope of a European Union (EU) Directive on the harmonisation in inland waterway standards, which might also apply to the UK.

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Law-Making Explained

This is a House of Commons Paper (HC 320-I 2006-07): it is a Report from the House of Commons Transport Committee.

Find out more about Select Committees.

How does it affect me?

If you work on the Thames or have an interest in inland waterway standards in the UK, this affects you.

In this Report, the Committee conclude that the Government should suspend the introduction of the new licence until all the issues have been resolved.