News
BSS certificate price rise frozen until 2014
The Boat Safety Scheme is to increase the price of certificates by £5 from April, but the new price will be frozen for four years until April 2014.
Graham Watts the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) Manager explained: "We managed to freeze the price of BSS Certificates for the last three years, but having looked at all the options, the price change cannot be avoided.
"We recognise that this is an additional cost for boaters who are already facing other financial pressures, so we hope that freezing the price for four years will be of help. BSS income being is squeezed so we intend to 'invest to save' in order to help stem prices beyond 2014."
In 2007 the Scheme was asked by its owners, British Waterways and the Environment Agency, to become self-funding. From April, each certificate will cost BSS examiners £29 plus VAT. Certificate sales represent almost 90% of the BSS income all of which is used to cover the costs of work underpinning the BSS examination service, risk research and review and the promotion of boat safety advice.
A BSS certificate lasts four years before it has to be renewed.
Further information on the reasons influencing the decision to increase the certificate price can be found at www.boatsafetyscheme.com/info.
Last updated: 11/03/2010
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