Anyone who wishes to be in charge of or navigate a pleasure boat or vessel for the purpose of letting it out for hire to members of the public or to carry passengers for hire must obtain the appropriate licences from either the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) or in some cases the council. Visit the GOV.UK website for information about the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Visit the Legislation website to view the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907 section 94, that Telford & Wrekin Council issues pleasure boat licences under.
This covers vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers on voyages that are at no time outside categorised waters, visit the GOV.UK website to view the Merchant Shipping Notice that sets out the categorisations of waters in the United Kingdom.
It also covers the hiring out of water-bound pleasure craft, including sailboards, rowing boats, canoes, motor boats, pedalos and larger boats.
Regulation summary
Visit the Legislation website to view the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907
Application evaluation process
Please note that applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
New applications must be submitted with the fee of £510. Renewal applications must be submitted with a fee of £440. Both applications must be accompanied by a certificate of Public Liability insurance and a satisfactory marine surveyor's report.
Will tacit consent apply?
Yes. Tacit consent means that if we have not dealt with applications within the target period then the application can be deemed to have been granted/approved.
Target completion period
Applications would normally be determined within 84 days of receipt of all the information necessary to determine the application.
Redress
Failed application redress
Contact the Public Protection team about failed application redress
If you wish to appeal against a decision, you may do so two days after the decision to a Magistrates' court.
Licence holder redress
Contact the Public Protection team in the first instance about licence holder redress.
If you wish to appeal against a decision, you may do so two days after the decision to a magistrates' court. You must give 24 hours' notice of your intention to appeal.
Consumer complaint
If you are a customer of a pleasure boat business, you should first contact the operator, preferably in writing, with proof of your complaint. If that does not work, visit the Citizens Advice website for advice on consumer complaints if you live in the UK alternatively, visit the UK European Consumer Centre website for advice on consumer complaints if you live outside of the UK.
Other redress
If there are problems such as noise or pollution or if one licence holder complains about another, please use the contact details below.
Public registers or databases
Contact the Public Protection team for information on the public register
Trade associations
British Marine is the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry. Members come from a broad range of businesses including boat builders, chandlers, brokers, marinas, passenger boats and engines.
Visit the British Marine Inland Boating website (Formerly Association of Pleasure Craft Operators)
Further information
No licence is required under s94 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907 in respect of pleasure boats and pleasure vessels on any inland waterway owned or managed by the British Waterways Board.
Last updated: 28/03/2024 13:58
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