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. We can either post or email the pleasure boat
licence application form to you. Alternatively, the application
form and the conditions of licence can be downloaded or
printed off by following the links below:
Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF files.
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 with a minimum cover of £85,000 per
passenger per claim.
- An annual general survey conducted by an authorised agent of
the local authority (see list below).
- Payment of £66.00 for a motorised vessel and £27.50 for a
rowing boat.
Authorised agents
K Cutmore,
Pineview,
Hollesley Road,
Capel St Andrew,
Suffolk IP12 2NQ.
Telephone: 01394 450437.
T Davey Surveys Ltd,
Journeys End,
Marsh Lane,
Felixstowe,
Suffolk IP11 9RR.
Telephone: 01394 282033.
Fox's Marine (Ipswich)
Ltd,
Wherstead,
The Strand,
Suffolk IP2 8SA.
Telephone: 01473 689111.
French Marine Motors Ltd,
Suffolk Yacht Harbour,
Levington,
Suffolk IP10 0LN.
Telephone: 01473 659882.
Marine Surveys (East & South Ltd),
14 Waveney Road,
Felixstowe,
Suffolk IP11 2NT.
Telephone: 01394 212 512.
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 385100.
Email:
licensing@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
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permits