Lithium-ion batteries on boats – take part in a survey to shape the future of safety messaging

The boating community is being urged to take part in the survey, which will take around 15 minutes to complete. Whether you occasionally hire a day boat, use your own craft at weekends or live permanently aboard, sharing what lithium-ion powered devices you use and how you use them will provide vital support to a project that will protect property and lives.

Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) can be found everywhere: in smartphones, tablets, laptops, toothbrushes, shavers, rechargeable DIY tools, e-bikes, e-scooters, and boat-installed batteries for whenever there is a need for electrical power independent of the mains supply. When managed correctly, LiBs can be operated safely on boats and the likelihood of problems is low. However, the fire risk, and the associated potential for harm to boaters, increases if the batteries are damaged and then fail. 

The BSS is a public safety initiative helping to protect people, property and environments across the UK’s inland waterways. The Scheme will use the research to help improve advice about lithium-ion battery safety on boats, to enhance safety on the water. 

The BSS has already produced a series of information booklets on lithium-ion battery safety on boats based on current knowledge. The booklets can be read or downloaded from the following web links:

-            Lithium-ion Battery Safety on Boats: Installed Lithium-ion Batteries

-            Large Portable Lithium-ion Battery Safety

-            Small Lithium-ion Powered Device Safety

Kevin Tyson, BSS General Manager, said:  “The use of lithium-ion technology is growing rapidly through the expanding number of rechargeable small devices, the convenience that e-bike and e-scooters offer boaters and growing benefits of battery-powered propulsion.

“Through the survey, we’re aiming to gather as much data as possible on the current and future use of lithium-ion battery powered devices on boats.

“If we can understand the current level of knowledge of and attitude to the risks associated with this power source, we can use that to expand and improve BSS advice for boat users of all types.”

The BSS is aiming for a thousand responses, representing every type of boat user from all over the UK.

The Scheme is encouraging people to share the survey on their social media platforms, with friends and family, local boating groups and marina community pages.

The survey is fully anonymous and no personal information will be given to the BSS. It will remain open until 31 December. Survey respondents have the opportunity to participate in a free prize draw for the chance to win one of 10 £50 shopping vouchers.

The survey is available on this website: https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/91115539/BSS-Lithium-ion or via this QR code::

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Notes for Editors

The BSS is a public safety initiative run as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The 17 navigation authorities that have adopted the Scheme, use it to help reduce the risks of fire, explosion and pollution on small craft, typically under 24m. This is done by promoting fire safety and pollution avoidance advice to help boat owners keep themselves and their crew safe as well as regular examination of fuel systems, gas systems, electrical systems and appliances. The BSS is responsible for the administration and supervision of the BSS Examination processes.

A BSS Certification has a life span of four years. Navigation authorities using the Scheme usually require BSS Certification on a boat at the time of licensing, registration, toll renewal or similar. The Certification is achieved when a boat is found to be compliant with all the BSS Requirements relevant for that boat. These can be freely downloaded or read on www.boatsafetyscheme.org. The compliance check, BSS Examination, is carried out by authorised and independent practitioners known as BSS Examiners.

Contacts

National Tel: 0333 202 1000 

Email: bss.enquiries@boatsafetyscheme.org

Website: www.boatsafetyscheme.org