Alan de Enfield

It's one thing having no experience of knowledge on the subject & being ripped-off, and another to knowingly make the decision not to have a survey because it was 'difficult to arrange'. We have all made poor decisions at times, and can only hope that this one can be rectified with a bit of cash. No one died.

But - it is to give adjacent boats more time to move or get out - SO - the BSS can implement it anyway with no possibility of complaint from folks who think it is just useless bureaucracy. The proposal is fully within their remit.

My suggestion was going to be pretty similar, except using ratchet straps. Attach the buckle to the hull (say) 12"- 15" forward and bolt thru. Attach the strap "tail" to the transom and bolt thru, Fill the crack with some form of sealer, put strap thru the ratchet and tighten it up it'll hold it together until you get somehere suitable for a lift out. You could even use 2 ratchet straps (one set lower than the other) if needed.

Having now seen the pictures I reckon expanding foam would have enough pressure to push the transom off.

This is wonderful stuff but I'm not sure it would give a structural fix to hold a transom. Available in the UK from good chandlers

Probably realised the company has no assets apart from 'the guy retiring', and a list of potential customers.

In Vino Veritas (in wine, the truth)

It certainly shows as "Domain name available"

Crocodile clips = BSS fail. Remove it or wire it up properly. Common sense really - if the croc-clip falls off or gets knocked off it is a live wire flopping about in a steel boat. Flash-bang !

You'd have thought that the following requirements would weed-out the wannabe little-hitlers. when trained the examiner has to pay the BSS Training Programme The BSS Examiner Training Programme is modular and includes online, classroom, and field-based elements. Key components include: Boat Safety Scheme 16 online learning modules covering technical and safety aspects. 2.5 weeks of in-person training, including: Two days in Evesham Two separate weeks at the Examiner Field Craft training centre in Norwich A half-day end-of-programme review near Northampton Coaching and assessment, including a six-month period with a personal mentor for guidance. The programme is selective, with up to 24 trainees per course, and considers qualifications, transferable skills, personal attributes, and geographic location to address examiner shortages. The 2023 programme fee was £5,949 plus VAT, covering training, assessments, and mentoring. Then of course the examiner has to pay the BSS for his paperwork and a fee (£91.20)for every examination "pass" issued : Here is the list of the current fees and charges payable by BSS Examiners for BSS related materials and activities. The nature and amount of fees and charges may be added to or amended from time to time, subject to the discretion of the BSS Ltd directors. As and when changes or additions to fees and charges occur, this page will be updated. Item Description Unit cost VAT Total Examiner registration full year First registration from when accepted until the 31 March in the next calendar year £250 £50 £300.00 Late registration administration charge Applies to late registering examiners who apply after the deadline without prior agreement £41.67 £8.33 £50.00 BSS Certification from 1 April 2025 Applies when BSSER with 'Yes' or 'Yes but...' examination results are recorded £76 £15.20 £91.20 Post & Packing: parcel mailed Parcel or packet up to 2kg weight recorded priority £26 £5.20 £31.20 Post & Packing: Courier Parcel or packet up to 10kg weight £20 £4 £24.00 Compulsory undertaking of training courses are required from time to time. These can online, attending a facility or both. The subject matter can vary, such as LPG updates, electrical awareness, IT training, etc. Fees for training are pegged as low as we can structure them and are based on what they cost to provide. BSS training courses fees are subject to VAT at whatever the current rates are for training as stipulated by the Government. Note that the BSS Conditions of Registration require that Examiners must pay the fees and charges for registration, Certifications and any other BSS fees and charges, within thirty (30) days of invitation or demand and that Examiners must not conduct BSS Examinations or issue certifications unless all overdue fees and charges outstanding to the BSS have been paid in full. Payment of invoices is subject to terms and conditions of being a Canal & River Trust financial account holder. These may lead to increased charges. For example late payments may attract higher interest rate charges. Where no higher rate of interest is specific in any contract between Canal & River Trust and you, the Trust may charge interest at a rate of 8% above the Bank of England base rate on overdue amounts. Indeed and your boats, and my boats and for some others were/are properly maintained and 'safe'. Unfortunately today there is a new breed of boaters who are either unwilling or unable (skills or financial limits) to maintain their boats to a safe level and compulsory safety examinations are necessary. The argument (in my mind) is that the items needed to be checked, and the consistency (and quality) of the examiners are very questionable

You can understand why there are discussions about making it an annual test. Maybe there is an argument for having fixed locations and you take your boat there (like your car for its MOT) and the fee is £54

Isn't that where the locals have short arms and very deep pockets ?

If his examination income is (as stated) £112000 that is £280 per examination. Is the BSS examination now £280 !

I had exactly the same argument ith a BSS examiner some years ago, unfirtunatley I had paid in advance so he said you either get a fail, or you install one, send me a photo and I'll issue your 'pass'. I made a formal complaint to the BSS and all I got in response was "we'll see if he needs more training" never heard anything more. It makes a mockery of the whole system and just confirms it is 'jobs for the boys', all you can do is acceot that it is another meaningless cost of obtaining a licence. Jen posted a link to the BSS requirements above. Read, absorb and be prepared to argue with the examiner. https://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/media/joyda0tx/bss-complete-ecps-private-boat-public-version-2023.pdf No - you can have it tested 1 month prior to expiry, and, it is advisable to do so, as if something needs fixing you can get it done before your boat becomes unlicenced (no BSS = no Licence)

I don't think it gonna be roman very far - maybe just to the 'cruncher'.