Pleasure boats

Any person who wishes to be in charge of, or navigate, a pleasure boat/vessel for the purpose of letting it out for hire to members of the public, or carrying passengers for hire, must obtain a licence from us.

This power is given to local authorities under Section 94 Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907.

How to apply

To apply for a pleasure boat licence you will need to complete the application form (PDF, 231 KB)(opens new window) and return it to us by email or by post along with the following documentation:

• A valid certificate of insurance for the boat/vessel
• A copy of any relevant qualifications

Inspection of the boat/vessel

Once your application has been validated, we will arrange an inspection to assess the boat's/vessel's fitness for purpose.

All boats/vessels must:

• Be deemed safe and fit for purpose by a professional council-approved assessor
• Be insured to cover all third-party risks, to a level deemed appropriate by us
• Comply with the statutory requirements and conditions imposed by us