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Dear Examiner, To read the full versions of newsletters please click on the various links on this page. The 'Read' icon opens up a whole newsletter in pdf format. Alternatively, to read page by page, you can select a sub-section from the drop-down box above or click on the page number links below. EXAMINER NEWS 24-004 (opens PDF newsletter) 28 Dec 2024 The topic covered in this newsletter are: -
Special Urgent Technical Newsletter TN24.05 – Morco Important Safety Warning – new implications for BSS Examinations of affected boats We have been contacted by Morco this week requesting further BSS support, with its escalated Important Safety Warning. This is an update and escalation of the Morco alert from earlier this year. The Warning applies to a list of specific models of open-flued LPG water Heaters. Morco is asking anyone with a listed appliance installed on their boat, to stop using it immediately and isolate or disconnect it from the gas supply. TN 24.05 [LINK] includes additional information for Examiners who may be approached to undertake an Examination on boat with one of the affected appliances fitted, and/or encounter one of these appliances while undertaking an examination. It covers the scenarios of the water heater being connected and working or disconnected and not working. A Heartfelt Thank You to All Our Examiners As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to all BSS Examiners for your hard work, dedication, and professionalism throughout this year. Your efforts ensure that boat owners and waterway users remain safe, helping us achieve our shared mission of promoting safer boating and protecting the waterways. Your commitment, especially in a year full of challenges and progress, has been invaluable. Thank you for everything you do – we couldn’t do this without you. Here’s to a successful and safe year ahead! Wishing you all a well-deserved rest and a fantastic start to the New Year. BSS Office Holiday Details! The BSS Office will re-open on Thursday 2 January 2024 Emergency and urgent cover by phone, text and WhatsApp (+44 7710 175478 - no emails) will be provided by Rob on Monday 30 - Tuesday 31 December Thank You for Voting! A big thank you to all of you who have already cast your vote for the Examiner Representative role – we've had a fantastic turnout, with 50% of examiners taking part so far. That’s 75 votes and counting! If you haven’t had the chance yet, there’s still time – voting remains open for another 2 weeks. Please check your email from Morale Solutions to cast your vote and have your say. Introducing our new Technical & Quality Manager
My military experience has shaped my approach to leadership, focusing on a blame-free culture and a commitment to continuous improvement. I strongly believe in collaboration and welcome your feedback, if something isn’t right, let’s address it and find ways to improve together. I’m looking forward to collaborating with you to uphold and enhance the high standards of the Boat Safety Scheme.” Our Annual Report We’ve published our latest Annual Report, and it’s now available on the BSS website. It’s a great opportunity to see the highlights of our work over the past year and the progress we’ve made together. Visit the website to take a look! Database Updates and Future Plans During the latter part of 2024, we have been working on updating elements of the database to replace outdated technology. In January, we will roll out an update that incorporates these changes. As part of this update, the ‘Portal’ (the burgundy-coloured page) will be discontinued, leaving only the Community (the orange-coloured page). These updates are a necessary step toward enabling the development of the Examiner App, which is planned for release in 2025. More details about this project which will change your operation in the field, will be shared in early 2025. Best regards and keep safe,
Kevin Tyson, BSS General Manager |
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EXAMINER NEWS 24-003 (opens PDF newsletter) 03 Sep 2024 The topic covered in this newsletter are: -
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EXAMINER NEWS 24-002 (opens PDF newsletter) 03 Jun 2024 The topic covered in this newsletter are: -
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EXAMINER NEWS 24-001 (opens PDF newsletter) 08 Mar 2024 The topic covered in this newsletter are: -
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EXAMINER NEWS 23-002 (opens PDF newsletter) 22 Dec 2023 The topic covered in this newsletter are: -
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EXAMINER NEWS 22-003 (opens PDF newsletter) 16 August 2022
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EXAMINER NEWS 22-002 (opens PDF newsletter) 13 Apr 2022
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EXAMINER NEWS 22-001 (opens PDF newsletter) 2 Mar 2022
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EXAMINER NEWS 21-007 (opens PDF newsletter) 24 Dec 2022 This edition contains news of: - the latest COVID-19 advice; announcing a new appliance information joint initiative (c/w a mystery appliances attachment), two new members of the BSS Office Team, an interim BSS Technical Briefing on diesel fuelled appliances (see two attachments), 2021 round-up and look forward to 2022 |
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EXAMINER NEWS 21-006 (opens PDF newsletter) 14 Sep 2021 In this edition we introduced the new interim core Examination Checking Procedures (Private Boat and associated Hire Boat Requirements) including the associated training and support measures |
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EXAMINER NEWS 21-005 (opens PDF newsletter) 15 Jul 2021 In this edition we published an update concerning the Examiner Online Training Programme. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 21-004 (opens PDF newsletter) 09 Jul 2021 In this edition we clarified some points regarding the online training modules |
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EXAMINER NEWS 21-003 (opens PDF newsletter) 29 Jun 2021 16-Month Online Training Programme Special Edition with an update on the announcement in March about an extensive online training programme. The programme will start this week and the completion date has been extended by agreement to September 2022 (from 12 months to 16 months). It is confirmed as |
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EXAMINER NEWS 21-002 (opens PDF newsletter) 24 Mar 2021 In this edition we have the latest COVID-19 advice, Phil is retiring, coming up in 2021-22 Re-registration preparation. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 21-001 (opens PDF newsletter) 13 Feb 2021 Examiners’ Survey thanks to volunteers; A reminder to follow the End-to-End examination process; LPG tightness-test lock-up values and regulator hazards; Annual registration fee increase £170; Successful start to new Examiner Training Programme; Search for BSS Champions and a BSS Assessor; Toilets and non-specific issues; Smoke Alarm Survey starting soon |
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EXAMINER NEWS 20-011 (opens PDF newsletter) 24 Dec 2020 COVID-19 New tier, new restrictions for some. BSS Management Committee message of appreciation; BSS Manager message of Appreciation, Coming up in 2021 - BSS Examiner Community coming soon, propane lock-up value, butane lock-up value, time to lock-up, and a new field related to LPG regulators, later - smoke alarm survey |
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EXAMINER NEWS 20-010 (opens PDF newsletter) 03 Nov 2020 In this edition we have five topics starting with the information that broke over the weekend about a the COVID-19 related lockdown news from Westminster. We also cover LPG Upgrade Course Training feedback as well as LPG core knowledge competence for those examiners who did not attend LPG Upgrade training and assessment. We also introduce our new BSS Business & Technical Manager Graham Forbes who joined us at the end of September. Finally, we wave goodbye to Conga and welcome Weaver as the report generator tool on the BSS Community database. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 20-009 (opens PDF newsletter) 19 Oct 2020 Desk Top Assessment support about to start |
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EXAMINER NEWS 20-008 (opens PDF newsletter) 31 July 2020 BSS Examination Suspension ends 31 July |
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EXAMINER NEWS 20-007 (opens PDF newsletter) 22 May 2020 COVID-19 Updates and Insurance reminder |
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EXAMINER NEWS 20-006 (opens PDF newsletter) 12 May 2020 |
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EXAMINER NEWS 20-005 (opens PDF newsletter) 07 May 2020 COVID-19 - suspension stays in place, but change is being planned |
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EXAMINER NEWS 20-003 (opens PDF newsletter) 9 April 2020 BSS Examination suspension extended to 30 April |
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EXAMINER NEWS 20-002 (opens PDF newsletter) 27 March 2020 BSS examinations suspended to 14 April due to COVID-19 lockdown; likewise Examiner registration extended to 30 Apr |
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EXAMINER NEWS 20-001 (opens PDF newsletter) 19 Mar 2020 Interim COVID-19; the LPG Update Training course; BSS Certification Cost From 1 April 2020; Examiner suspended for not having insurance cover; BSS Examiner annual registration fee; BSS Examiner Annual Registration; Changes to the procedure used to investigate formal Examiner complaints; Database link reminder. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 19-005 (opens PDF newsletter) 06 Aug 2019 the LPG Update Training course, PCT LPG pipework, the acceptability of all FireAngel CO alarms, yet another fraud investigation – we restate the importance of ensuring accurate boat details on the BSS Database, BSS Business and Technical Manager Simon Vayro is leaving. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 19-004 (opens PDF newsletter) 31 May 2019 With reminders and updates to keep youselves safe from harm and out of court. Covers, allegations that a small minority of Examiners are making up some rules; LPG training course update; a potential risk caused by over-filled LPG cylinders; a new acceptable CO alarm certification mark (with some important caveats) |
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EXAMINER NEWS 19-003 (opens PDF newsletter) 28 April 2019 Covers the recent online course and we update you about the planned LPG Update Training; initial findings from your examinations to the new CO alarm check; the guidance concerning boats having decommissioned systems; the need to have insurance in place and to co-operate with the audit; news that IE 9 and 10 browsers are no longer supported by Salesforce. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 19-002 (opens PDF newsletter) 28 February 2019 Covers the annual registration process and prepares you to take control to ensure a smooth registration process for 2019-20. For those Examiners with insurances arranged through Michael Hall Associates Limited (MHA) there is some important news below. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 19-001 (opens PDF newsletter) 13 Feb 2018 Confirmation of the BSS Management Committee decision to implement the BSS CO alarm requirements from April and outlines what happens next. There are BSS staff changes in the pipeline with two vacancies. We also ask you to prepare for BSS Examiner Re-registration. There’s an update on the Examiner Survey findings and have two training topics, the LPG course and we ask if any examiners are interested in a Hire Boat Requirements upgrade? Finally, we seek your help with sourcing any ‘black museum’ outboard fuel system components we could use. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 18-008 (opens PDF newsletter) 12 Dec 2018 This contains a brief update concerning the planned LPG update course and proposed CO alarm requirements training. We also encourage you to update Salesforce with any changes to your membership of organisations and we set out the usual arrangements for the Christmas period shut-down. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 18-007 (opens PDF newsletter) 20 Sep 2018 Richard's of Morale Solutions report directly on the BSS Examiner Survey 2018 results in this edition of BSS Examiner News. We set out the next steps as a follow-up. There's two brief advice articles, useful for examiners interested in doing a great job – especially if they get stuck for words. Last call for examiners interested in gaining 2002 authorisation. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 18-006 (opens PDF newsletter) 17 Aug 2018 We alert you to the public consultation on proposals to introduce new mandatory BSS Requirements for CO alarms on boats. What you know about old portable fire extinguishers on boats that pre-date fire ratings, and quick update on the BSS Examiner Survey 2018 |
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EXAMINER NEWS 18-005 (opens PDF newsletter) 2 July 2018 We have a reminder of the examiner survey, the need to protect yourself by completing boat details, update Conditions of registration, early invoice run, would you be a guru? |
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EXAMINER NEWS 18-004 (opens PDF newsletter) 16 May 2018 We have news of an examiner survey and we clarify that examiners must not mis-represent the BSS position on bubble testers, not should they undertake work on boats in scope of the Gas Safety [Installation and Use] Regulations. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 18-003 (opens PDF newsletter) 27 Feb. 2018 This edition of BSS Examiner news covers the annual registration process and prepares you to take control to ensure a smooth registration process for 2018-19. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 18-002 (opens PDF newsletter) 13 Feb. 2018 |
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EXAMINER NEWS 18-001 (opens PDF newsletter) 22 Jan. 2018 In this edition of BSS Examiner News we cover the new agreed four-year business plan with the implications of the BSS Certifcations and annual registration fees rise and benefits you should look forward to resulting from an investment programme. We also ask have you ever encountered a water tank filling hose in a gas locker like pictured? |
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EXAMINER NEWS 17-005 (opens PDF newsletter) 13 Dec. 2017 In this edition of BSS Examiner News, we cover the replacement of Andrea Burrow and successor to Phil who is on his retirement path. We have important advice about the application of BSS requirements to shared-ownership boats. Why are you insured – we have a multi thousand-pound lesson that explains why. We ask you about LPG fuelled generators – what have you seen? So, what does GSIUR mean? The latest on LPG Update training. Why you should ignore some new fields on the Examination Report page, but be interested in why they are there! Christmas pressy suggestions for yourself – or leave a hint. The December invoices will be moved to next year – hurrah – but it will be early January. Finally, we have the Xmas break office closure and out-of-hours contact details. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 17-004 (opens PDF newsletter) 10 Aug. 2017 This newsletter covers an appeal for information concerning LPG regulator failures, we run the first of a series of articles about BSS Examiner insurance; the lessons from another report on a fatal CO incident; updates on the bulk delivery of BSS Examination documentation; the planned LPG update course; new information about a range of compliant fuel hoses and mythbusting the concept of 'pre-examination'; business and technical manager update. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 17-003 (opens PDF newsletter) 22 Jun. 2017 Staff changes at BSS Office; insurance audit process; flagging up a forthcoming examiner survey and forthcoming data protection training; why it's critical to keep your tech up to spec; flagging up bulk distribution of forms and pads; copy certifcate provision; David Fuller's charity row for Parkinsons Disease research. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 17-002 7 Apr. 2017 The revised BSS Examiner Conditions of Registration and associated news of amended examiner CoR guidance. A modified complaints investigation procedure. The introduction of the new and amended BSS Hire Boat Requirements and the retention of the 2002 BSS Standards for other non-private boats. We repeat warnings not to break Gas Safety law. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 17-001 27 Feb. 2017 There is only one subject - Examiner registration for 2017-18 |
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EXAMINER NEWS 16-005 10 Dec. 2016 Do you want to examine hire craft next year, act now to express your interest. New Eberspächer arrangements. A new standard in LPG cooker connection hose assemblies to BS EN 14800. A special briefing on Freeman boats. There are two ‘self-protection’ items for examiners, one on the disease, leptospirosis. The other reinforces the implications of the UK gas legislation especially for non-Gas Safe registered examiners regarding gas tightness testing. BSS stalwart Brian Hayes retires. Christmas shopping for examiner apparel. BSS office Xmas arrangements. |
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EXAMINER NEWS 16-004 07 Oct. 2016 Hire boat requirements and LPG training; another CO tragedy; Kabola heating appliance fuel hoses; fraudulent certificates; a review of the BSS Examiner Conditions of Registration; guidance on commercial catering LPG installation; guidance to customers must be accurate: |
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EXAMINER NEWS 16-003 22 Apr. 2016 This is the second of two important Examiner Newsletters within a week. You've had the 2016/17 registration preparatory details, so this second newsletter concentrates on examiner operational matters and reporting guidance. The list of headline topics is set out below: |
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“Hello, I’m Harry Pickering, and I’m excited to join the Boat Safety Scheme as the new Technical & Quality Manager. I bring with me 14 years of Army service as a Marine Engineer, where I developed my trade working on small craft ranging from Workboats to Landing Craft. Later in my career, I took on various senior equipment management roles, gaining valuable experience in planning and maintaining high operational standards. My background also includes military diving and extensive work in subsea engineering, which further strengthened my commitment to precision and safety.
changes to the procedure used to investigate formal Examiner complaints