With the Boat Safety Scheme being introduced on 1 April 2007, the Broads Authority is keen for boat owners to feel confident with complying with the BSS requirements.

To help boaters with queries, Rob McLean of The Boat Safety Scheme Office will be at the Broads Authority office, 18 Colegate, Norwich on the last Monday of each month until 30 April.* He can offer advice and guidance on the BSS requirements, examinations and other BSS matters to help owners prepare for the scheme. When at Colegate he can be contacted on 01603 610734.

"I'm really hoping that people will take advantage of getting first hand information from the BSS Essential Guide or by getting in touch with the BSS directly if they have any concerns, worries or niggles about the requirements or arranging an examination."

The Essential Guide can be viewed on the BSS website www.boatsafetyscheme.com or a hard copy can be purchased from the Broads Authority priced £5.50 for inserts or £6.30 with folders plus post and packaging.

Owners can call the BSS Office on 01923 201278, or email questions with any supporting pictures or documentation to bss.enquiries@boatsafetyscheme .com; or write to Broads Query, Boat Safety Scheme Office, Willow Grange, Church Road, Watford WD 17 4QA.

* Rob McLean's visits may be subject to change so telephone 01603 610734 to confirm.

Navigation rangers and Broads Beat officers are undergoing training so they can carry out basic checks on a vessel's critical systems to identify immediate dangers. They will be carried out randomly on boats on short visits to the Broads which don't carry a Boat Safety Certificate and any other vessel on the navigation where there is reason to believe that the systems on the vessel could be a danger to others.

1 April 2007
Hire craft over 30 sqm
Private motor craft of 21 sqm and above
Private motorised sailing craft of 21 sqm and above with engines over 10 hp

1 April 2008
All remaining hire craft
Private motor craft of 11sqm and above

1 April 2009
Remaining private motor craft
All private sailing craft

Lists of examiners are available from the Broads Authority office 01603 610734, the BSS office 01923 201278 or the BSS website, www.boatsafetyscheme.com/searchforanexaminer

Residential Boats which are not let out for hire or reward, are subject to the less stringent 2005 edition of the BSS requirements, not the 2002 edition. However a Corgi registered gas installer will be required to conduct the gas safety check element of the examination.