About this website
This website is a portal to provide information and assistance for those requiring certification of inland waterway craft. The website is operated by a group of consultants who are trained and experienced in their field. We are Paul Smith, Jeremy Greenwood and Graham Lane. Skills and experience include those who are surveyor members of the YDSA;, time-served boatbuilder; Gas Safe Registered engineer; and authorised by the UK Approved Body for Recreational Craft Regulations.
Individual consultants undertake the inspection of the craft and the issuing of the appropriate certificate. By using an enquiry form, your request will be sent to the most relevant consultant who will respond as quickly as possible. There is no obligation to use the services by sending the enquiry form.
All information on the website represents our understanding of the relevant requirements: however, they are subject to the controlling authority who may hold a different view for individual circumstances.
Consultants
Marine Surveyor - Paul Smith MEng, AMYDSA, DipMarSur - Paul has been surveying inland waterway craft since 1997, including those for compliance with the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) and with the Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR) (formally known as the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD)). Latterly, he has focused upon compliance with the RCR, as demand in this area has grown, especially after Brexit. He is Gas Safe Registered for boats, and a YDSA member, including representing the YDSA on various British and International Standards committees involved with writing and amending standards relating to boats. Paul is authorised by the UK Approved Body for RCR inspections. He has also extensively cruised the inland waterways on a number of different narrowboats.
Marine Surveyor - Jeremy Greenwood DipMarSur - Jeremy is a surveyor, specialising in steel boat construction. He has been the director of a well-respected boat fitting company since 2010. The boats built are bespoke, ranging from trip boats with wheelchair lifts to Dutch-style barges destined for Europe. Jeremy has been designing and installing solar and hybrid-propulsion systems since 2016.
Marine Surveyor – Graham Lane DipMarSur - Graham is a qualified engineer, and small craft surveyor specialising in narrow boats and other steel inland waterways vessels. Graham is active member of the Inland Waterways Group of the YDSA and IIMS and sits on the IIMS Education Committee. In 2023, he was awarded the IIMS John Excell Award for Excellence. As a live aboard narrowboater, he understands the benefits and challenges of life afloat, which positively influences his surveying work and his relationship with clients.