Inland waterways and categorisation of waters
Details for owners, operators, and masters of vessels on inland waters, including categorisation, how to apply, safety requirements and best practice.
Introduction
The UK has over 4,000 miles of inland waterways. Construction requirements and levels of safety equipment that must be carried on vessels in the UK depend on the nature of the waters in which the vessel operates. There are no national construction requirements for private pleasure vessels.
Inland waters are categorised as A, B, C or D. This includes canals, non-tidal rivers, tidal rivers, large, deep lakes and lochs, and estuaries. Inland water categorisation policy and processes are dealt with by Technical Services Navigation (TSN) of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). You can find a list and definitions of these categories in Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) 1837 (M) (as amended).
This guide explains:
- what inland waters are
- how inland waters are categorised
- how to apply for categorisation of waters
- safety requirements for vessels operating on inland waters
- best practice to adopt
It’s aimed at owners, operators and masters of vessels operating in all inland waters categories.
Inland waters and how they are categorised
“Inland waters” includes any area of water not categorised as “sea” – for example, canals, tidal and non-tidal rivers, lakes, and some estuarial waters (an arm of sea that extends inland to meet the mouth of a river).
Inland waters are classified as one of four categories. These are:
- Category A – narrow rivers and canals where the depth of water is generally less than 1.5 metres
- Category B – wider rivers and canals where the depth of water is generally 1.5 metres or more and where the significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 0.6 metres at any time
- Category C – tidal rivers, estuaries and large, deep lakes and lochs where the significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 1.2 metres at any time
- Category D – tidal rivers and estuaries where the significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 2 metres at any time
These categorisations determine the waters not regarded as “sea” for the purposes of most Merchant Shipping legislation, except that, for marine pollution legislation, “sea” normally includes any estuaries or arms of the sea, and therefore tidal Category C, and Category D, waters.
Water categorisation policy and processes are dealt with by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
You can find more information on the categorisation of waters in MSN 1837 (as amended).
Applying to categorise waters
Inland waters are not regarded as “sea” for the purposes of Merchant Shipping legislation. Vessels operating in categorised waters have different construction and equipment standards. Because of this, it’s important that the area you conduct your business in is correctly categorised.
You can make a request for the categorisation – or re-categorisation – of a defined area of water if you hold an interest in the area requested.
Water categorisation matters are co-ordinated by the Technical Services Navigation (TSN) branch of the MCA. Applications for categorisation – or re-categorisation – are considered by consultee surveyors and experts within the Focal Point Group Alpha (FPA). Consideration is also given to the views of the relevant MCA marine offices and select external consultees, as appropriate.
If you intend to apply, you should seek advice about categorisation of a particular stretch of water from your local marine office. You can find contact details for your local marine office on the MCA’s Office access and opening times page.
Categorising or re-categorising an area of water
Applications for categorisation or requests to change an existing categorisation may be made by any person or organisation with an interest. The applications need to be fully supported and accompanied by the following information, as appropriate:
- chart of location
- recent sounding charts
- levels of vessel movement
- types of vessels using the area
- physical description of the area
- details of significant wave heights
- predominant wind chart for the area
- general rationale to support the application
- supporting letter from the local harbour or navigation authority, as applicable
You will need to provide evidence of how the significant wave height has been established. This information should, ideally, include evidence that the significant wave height at a representative point or points within the proposed area does not, at any time, exceed the maximum limit specified in the definition of the proposed category. That is:
- Category B – up to 0.6 metres
- Category C – up to 1.2 metres
- Category D – up to 2.0 metres
This evidence could, for example, be based upon information derived from a mathematical model of the geographic area that has been validated by wave height observations from a wave rider buoy or seabed pressure sensor or sensors. Other evidence may be accepted if considered suitable by the Focal Point Group Alpha (FPA).
For an application for a winter or summer seasonal area, measurements should represent the period of worst weather. For all-year-round applications, measurements should represent the worst winter conditions.
In addition to wave heights, you should also consider other factors such as the:
- strength of any tidal stream
- effect of the prevailing wind against the tidal stream, which can shorten the sea – giving rise to steeper waves that are more liable to break
- height of banks at the water’s edge and the degree of shelter that may be found in bad weather
- effect of any surrounding high land which may give rise to sudden and unpredictable wind shifts and strengths
- fetch of the wind – especially in long, straight estuaries with a low-lying hinterland
- effect of underwater banks on the tidal streams
- effect of shifting underwater sand banks which result in changing navigational channels
- relevant local phenomena – for example, a bore
Considering applications
TSN co-ordinates the categorisation of a defined area of water that is listed in MSN 1837 (M) (as amended). The MCA will consider any request for the categorisation of new or for changes in the existing categorisation of areas. For a successful application the following process needs to be followed, to avoid unnecessary delays.
Once the application is complete, send it and all supporting documents to the local marine office for the attention of the technical manager (TM).
The TM will consult with the nearest coastguard station and the District Safety Committee or Small Passenger Ship Steering Group, as appropriate. They may want further clarification and send it back to the applicant. Once content with the application they will reply with comments or recommendations to TSN.
TSN will review the application within 28 days and, if considered appropriate, will submit the application to the FPA for consideration and ratification.
Safety requirements for boats to operate on inland waters
If you operate a vessel commercially on inland waters, you must comply with construction regulations and standards for safety equipment to be carried onboard.
Inland water passenger ships that were not new in April 2010 are covered by several sets of regulations and guidance – your local MCA marine office can advise on these. A “passenger ship” is a vessel that carries more than 12 passengers.
The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ships) (Safety Code for UK Categorised Waters) Regulations 2010 provides the technical requirements for new passenger vessels, from April 2010. The Code also contains safety requirements with which the ship must comply to secure a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate.
You can find more information in MSN 1823(M) (for vessels built between 6 April 2010 and 31 December 2017) and MSN 1823(M) Edition 2, Amendment 1 (for vessels built on or after 1 January 2018). For further information, please contact your local MCA marine office.
The Code for the Design, Construction and Operation of Hire Boats is a national code of safe practice for boats let for hire on inland waterways. It applies to vessels for not more than 12 people without a skipper or crew for sport or pleasure (excluding pleasure vessels as defined in the Merchant Shipping (Vessels in Commercial Use for Sport or Pleasure) Regulations 1998). The Code covers:
- scope of the Hire Boat Code
- common principles for safe hire boating
- responsibilities of hirer and hire operator
- technical standards and compliance
- operational standards
- recommendations and best practice for the inspection and maintenance of craft by the hire operator
You can find version 2 of the Code on the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) website.
For vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers on inland waters, see the section in this guide on the “Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code”.
Registration and licensing of vessels operating on inland waters
Commercially operated vessels operating on inland waters must comply with the requirements of the relevant navigation authority, such as to be registered and hold a licence, and for the vessel to meet the standards required by the authority.
The Canal and River Trust, Scottish Canals, and the Environment Agency are the major navigation authorities in charge of inland rivers and canals in the UK. Local harbour or navigation authorities oversee estuaries and harbours.
All craft wishing to cruise on the inland waterways network must be registered with the appropriate navigation authority. Failure to do so may result in prosecution and a fine.
Every type of pleasure craft must be registered and licensed, including:
- motor cruisers
- sailing cruisers
- narrow boats
- open vessels such as canoes or rowing boats
- houseboats
A variety of different licences are available, from annual licences to visitor licences.
You should contact the Environment Agency, or the Canal and River Trust or Scottish Canals depending on where you are to find out what the registration and licence arrangements are for your area.
On waterways managed by the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency vessel licences must be accompanied by a valid Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate as part of the licence, except for vessels carrying MCA certification.
Every vessel must display its current valid navigation certificate and registration number at all times. For rivers and canals not controlled by the Canal and River Trust, Scottish Canals, or the Environment Agency, you should seek advice from whoever controls the navigation and their licensing requirements. You can find a list of navigation authorities on the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) website.
For more information, also see the guides on how to:
- apply for, upgrade or renew a Boatmasters’ Licence
- vessel classification and certification
- standards for the construction and maintenance of inland waterway vessels.
Alcohol and entertainment licensing
The Licensing Act 2003 applies the alcohol and entertainment licensing regime to vessels on which alcohol is sold, or entertainment takes place.
Guidance on alcohol and entertainment licensing:
The Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code
The Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code is a best practice guide for vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers on inland waters designed to ensure safety, technical and competency standards are met.
This includes trip boats, hotel boats and water taxis operating in harbour areas, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and canals.
The Code lays down benchmark safety standards and is applied on the basis of risk and the operators’ experience. It’s not mandatory and provides advice to operators, navigation authorities and licensing authorities.
When operating a boat on inland waters, you should always consider any:
- area of operation, and any possible weather conditions
- availability of dedicated emergency rescue
- operations wholly within sight of the supervising body
- seasonal operations only – for example, between 1 April and 31 October
- vessels operating in close proximity to one another *provision or wearing of additional individual personal survival equipment
- enhanced communications between vessels
- nature of the sport or pleasure activity
- safety of any vessel – by design, test, and experience
- ratio of suitably trained crew to other persons onboard
- enhanced provisions for distress alert and rescue
- means provided for “dry” evacuation from a vessel in emergency situations
The Small Passenger Boat Code covers a wide array of information, but in particular covers:
- machinery – such as diesel, petrol, steam, LPG or electronically powered engines
- electrics – for example, electrical installations and how to reduce the risk of electric shocks
- steering gears – how the vessel should be provided with an effective means of steering
- bilge pumping and drainage – how powered or hand-operated bilge pumping must be adequate for the size of the vessel
- stability – for specific types of vessels, such as motor vessels, inflatable boats, sailing vessels and sailing multihull vessels
- freeboards – for motor vessels in all inland water categories, and inflatable boats
- lifesaving and fire-fighting appliances
- navigation equipment – covering navigation lights, shapes and sound signals
- accommodation
- safety briefings of staff and any passengers
Read more in the Inland Waterways Small Passenger Boat Code.
Further information on inland waters
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, and responsible throughout the UK for implementing the government’s maritime safety policy.
Inland water categorisation policy and processes are dealt with by the Technical Services Navigation branch of the MCA.
In addition to providing information on inland waters the MCA is also committed to improving marine safety, protecting the marine environment and preventing the loss of life at sea and on inland waters.
The Association of Inland Navigation Authorities
The Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) represents those organisations that operate and manage navigable inland waterways in the UK.
Canal and River Trust and Scottish Canals
The Canal and River Trust is the navigation authority in charge of many of the canals and rivers, in England and Wales. Scottish Canals is the equivalent agency, in charge of canals and rivers in Scotland.
The Boat Safety Scheme
The Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) is jointly owned by Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency. This scheme is designed to minimise the risk of fires and explosions on boats by specifying a set of requirements they must meet to obtain a navigational licence. It also publishes guidance to enhance personal health and safety on privately owned boats.
National Water Safety Forum
The National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) offers water safety advice. It aims to be is to be an open and accessible source of information for members, water safety professionals and members of the public.
Contact us
Maritime and Coastguard Agency - Technical Services Navigation team
Email: [email protected]
Updates to this page
Published 14 September 2012Last updated 30 October 2023 + show all updates
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Updates made throughout to reflect changes in guidance and broken links fixed.
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Links updated and broken links removed.
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Link to MSN 1776 replaced with MSN 1837.
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Link to inland waters small passenger boat code updated
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First published.