Licensing of Pleasure Boats

Section 94 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907 empowers the City Council to “grant upon such terms and conditions as they may think fit licences for pleasure boats and pleasure vessels to be let for hire or to be used for carrying passengers for hire, and persons in charge of or navigating such boats and vessels”.

The effect of this is that any vessel which is available for hire to no more than 12 passengers within category C or D waters must be licensed by the local authority within whose area the vessel is based. Likewise, persons acting a boatmen on such vessels must be licensed as such. Category C waters are those in Southampton Water north of Calshot and category D waters are those in the Solent within lines between Hurst Point to the Needles in the west and between West Wittering church to Bembridge church in the east.

Licences
Pleasure boat licences are granted subject to the following: -

• A full survey on initial licensing and every five years thereafter by a competent surveyor approved by the city council. Guidance for the requirements may be found in the MCA's “Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code”.

• Annual self-certification similar to the MCA Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Commercial Motor/Sailing Vessels” shall be deemed sufficient; a form of declaration to be signed by the owner which has a penal repercussion if found to be untrue. Qualified persons appointed on behalf of the city council may make random inspections.

• Requirements for equipment to be carried are as laid down in the appropriate sections of the MCA ”Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code” which is designed to provide a national benchmark for safety standards.

• Licences are for a one-year period.

Please note that, where necessary, inspections of boats will be undertaken by the city council's appointed agent, Associated British Port's harbour master

Exceptions
The only exception to the licensing requirements are for vessels licensed under any regulations of the Board of Trade or a person in charge of or navigating such a boat or vessel.

Application Forms and Further Information
Forms, including further information and fees are contained in the application form which can be accessed through the links on the right.

Contact information

Email: licensing@southampton.gov.uk

Telephone: 023 8083 3245

Fax: 023 8083 4061

Postal address:
Licensing Team
Southampton City Council
PO Box 1344
Southampton
SO15 1WQ

Document Exchange: DX 115710 Southampton 17

Personal callers:
Licensing Team
Southbrook Rise
4-8 Millbrook Road East
Southampton
SO15 1YG

Opening hours:
Members of the licensing team will normally be available at Southbrook Rise to assist personal callers on weekdays between 09:00 and 12:00 and between 14:00 and 16:00. We may be available at other times by prior appointment.

Please note that the addresses and numbers given above should only be used for communication with the licensing team.

Service of Documents
Please use the PO Box or Document Exchange addresses for the service of all applications and notices on the licensing authority; please do not send or deliver such communications to the Civic Centre, as your application, notice or representation will inevitably be delayed, which may cause difficulties or result in your representation not being considered or your application failing to meet the strict prescribed time limits.

We are not able to accept service of applications, notices etc by fax or e-mail. Please note that all applications must be accompanied by the appropriate fee and bear original signatures.