Life Insurance

Small boat operators on the Broads fear they could be put out of business if new rules are introduced that would force them to pay the same for insurance as ocean-going cruisers.

The proposals have been put forward by the European Commission in an effort to close the gap between insurance paid by ocean-going and inland vessels.

But MEPs yesterday voted down European Commission proposals, which they said would hike holiday costs and risk putting small operators out of business.

Despite the thumbs-down the plans could still go ahead as part of a package of measures EU transport ministers will be asked to ratify at a later date.

Steve Birtles, the Broads Authority's head of waterways, strategy and safety, said: “Compulsory insurance is necessary for passenger vessels, but the cover demanded should be in proportion to the risks. A vessel navigating sheltered inland waterways should not be compared with an ocean liner rounding the Cape. Passenger boat operators on the Broads have insurance and in some cases to the level required by the proposed new legislation.

The proposals require all passenger-carrying craft that take more than 12 passengers to take out limited liability to the value of about £200,000 per passenger.

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