Do I need a licence?
If you wish to be in charge of or navigate a pleasure boat or
vessel for the purpose of carrying passengers for hire, you must
obtain the appropriate licences from either the Maritime and
Coastguard Agency (MCA) or in some cases the Council.
The Council’s Licensing Team issues pleasure boat licences for
vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers on
voyages that are at no time outside categorised waters (i.e. waters
not regarded as 'sea').
The three relevant categories of waters are as follows:
- 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 1.5 metres or more 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.
Please note: pleasure boat operators who wish to go outside
categorised waters or carry more than 12 passengers should contact
the Maritime
and Coastguard Agency (new window) for advice.
Licences will not be issued to persons under 18 years of
age.
How do I apply for a licence from the Council?
You will need to submit a completed application form to the
Licensing Team. The application form and the conditions of licence
can be downloaded or printed off by following the links
below:
In addition, the completed application form must be accompanied
by:
- A full hull survey carried out by a surveyor who holds
appropriate specific professional indemnity insurance who is
either:
- a member of the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association;
- a member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects at not
less than Associate level;
- a member of the Institute of Marine Engineers at not less than
Associate level.
- Proof of valid insurance.
- An annual general survey conducted by an authorised agent of
the local authority (see list below).
- Payment of £74.50 for a motorised vessel and £30.75 for a
rowing boat.
Authorised agents
AND Marine Ltd,
60 Westmorland Road,
Felixstowe,
Suffolk IP11 9TW.
T Davey Surveys Ltd,
Journeys End,
Marsh Lane,
Felixstowe,
Suffolk IP11 9RR.
Telephone: 01394 282033.
Marine Surveys (East & South Ltd),
14 Waveney Road,
Felixstowe,
Suffolk IP11 2NT.
Telephone: 01394 212512.
Hugh Lamb,
Stourside,
Rose Farm Lane,
Shotley
Suffolk IP9 1PH.
Telephone: 01473 787346
W A MacGregor,
Mallard House,
Oysterbed Road,
Felixstowe,
Suffolk IP11 4SH.
Telephone: 01394 676034
Contact details
For more information and advice please contact:
Licensing Team,
Suffolk Coastal District Council,
Melton Hill,
Woodbridge,
Suffolk IP12 1AU.
Telephone: 01394 444802.
Fax: 01394 444510.
Email:
licensing@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
Back to Other licences, registrations and
permits