Pleasure Boats
The local authority must license any person wishing to provide
pleasure boats to be let for hire or to be used to carry passengers
for hire. Application must be made on the appropriate
form and a requisite fee must be
paid on application. Applications for the licensing of any
vessel should be accompanied by:
- The certificate of sea-worthiness;
- The certificate of mechanical fitness;
The local authority may set conditions for the
granting of any such licence and has approved policy in order to
maintain the safety of such craft, passengers and crew.
Before granting or renewing a pleasure boat
licence the an officer of the local authority will carry out an
inspection of any craft that is or it is proposed will be licensed
by the local authority. An authorised officer of the council
may inspect a licensed pleasure boat at any reasonable time
It is an offence for a pleasure craft to carry
passengers:
- whilst there is not a licence in force,
- the licence is suspended or
- to carry more passengers than allowed on its
licence
A plate showing the numbers to be carried must
be clearly affixed to the craft.
The local authority may revoke or suspend a
pleasure boat licence whenever they deem such suspension or
revocation to be in the interest of public safety.
Any person aggrieved by a refusal to grant a
licence or by the suspension or revocation of such a licence may
appeal to the magistrates by way of written notice given within 24
hours of the decision of the local authority.
Contact the Licensing Section
E-mail: licensing@dover.gov.uk
Telephone: 01304 872295
