Boatperson guidance

Important notice: Delays in response times

Due to current staff shortages, we are experiencing delays in responding to enquiries. We kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this time. Please be assured that we are making every effort to process your application as soon as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Do I need a licence?

The Council requires any pleasure boats or vessels used for hire, or used for carrying passengers for hire to hold a licence. The person in charge of such a vessel, the boatperson is also required to hold a licence. Licences last for 3 years.

The purpose of licensing is to protect the public and promote public safety.

The Pleasure Boat or Vessel and Boatperson Policy provides clear guidance to applicants.

View a map showing which section of the river Derwent is licensedOpens in new tab. (Map instructions: select top left 'burger menu' to show map options. From the dropdown menu select; Map Features, then Environment and Planning, then River Boat Licence).

Determination

Applications will be considered on their own merits, and may be referred to the Licensing Committee, if necessary.

If granted the licence will last for 3 years.

If refused, you may appeal to the Magistrates Court

Once granted, the licence holder must comply with Pleasure Boat or Vessel Licence Conditions and or the Boatperson Licence Conditions.

Fines and penalties

If you don’t hold a licence and hire out or use your pleasure boat to carry passengers, you could be fined up to £1,000.

You could also be fined £1,000 if you don’t follow any conditions of your licence.

Application guidance and process for boatperson

(not required for cabin staff with no boatperson responsibility)

A Boatperson's licence is required by those in the charge of the navigation of pleasure boats and pleasure vessels to be used for carrying passengers for hire on water in the Derby City Council's area.

A Licence is valid for a period of three years.

The applicant must be:

• Be 18 years of age or over.
• Not suffer from any illness or disability which could affect his/her fitness to assist in the charge of the pleasure boat / vessel for hire.
• Hold a relevant qualification that confirms the individual’s levels of competency in operating a vehicle within the designated waters.

Application process

The applicant must complete the application form in full and return it to the licensing team with the relevant documentation from the list below:

• Acceptable training certification.
• Basic Disclosure from the Disclosure Barring Service (within 1 month of issue).
• Group 2 Medical – signed by own GP.
• Signed declaration of compliance with ‘Sound Practice, Safe Waters Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code'Opens in new tab.
• Passport sized photograph.
• Fee.

Acceptable training certification

• MCA Boatmaster’s Licence for a local passenger vessel (BML) grade 3 or 2 for the appropriate area;
• Canal and River Trust Boatmanship Licence (formerly British Waterways);
• National Community Boats Association Certificate in Community Boat Management;
• Waterman’s Licence issued by a competent authority for the appropriate area, where available;
• Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Powerboat (level 2) with 12 months relevant experience; 
• RYA Inland Helmsman’s certificate with 12 months relevant experience.

Privacy notice 

The Licensing Team is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy when you use our services.

Please view Licensing Team Privacy Notices for further information. Printed copies are available on request.