BSS Examiner Course Application

You can learn more about what a BSS examiner is and the factors you must consider before deciding to become an examiner from a downloadable pdf file at the bottom of this page.

In the second part of the information you will find out more about the training course and how to take forward your interest in becoming an examiner.

The independence of examiners is a key feature.  Examiners are not employed by the navigation authorities or the BSS, they are self-employed or they work for marine based companies offering BSS examinations as part of a range of services offered to customers.

It is very important to understand that completing the examiner training course and registering as an examiner does not guarantee that you will obtain work.  Your success as an examiner will be determined by how successfully you are able to market your services and upon your charges compared with those examiners operating in the same location.

A good working knowledge of boat systems is essential if you are to successfully complete the BSS Examiner Training Course. It is not designed to teach boat construction methods, marine engineering skills or other basic information concerning the nature of boat systems.  The course is intensive and assumes that all candidates have a good working knowledge of boats and their systems.

For those people interested in examining hire boats, it will be necessary to attend and pass an additional hire boat module and be, or, become CORGI registered to carry out the gas let-by and tightness testing work. Due to the introduction of a new Hire Boat code by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency soon, this module is on hold pending further development.

Increasingly, BSS information and reporting processes will be focused upon electronic media.  The successful examiner will be one who can make IT and email/internet connectivity work to their best advantage. Such skills are now essential for the modern, professional examiner.

Download the information on how to become a BSS examiner here