UK survey seeks boaters’ views on lithium-ion battery safety
The Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) is asking boat users across the UK to share how they use lithium-ion batteries on board. It has commissioned an independent, anonymous survey from Morale Solutions to help improve its battery safety advice.
The survey is available on this website.
The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete. Anyone who uses a boat can take part, whether they occasionally hire a day boat, spend weekends on their own craft or live aboard permanently. Questions cover which lithium-ion-powered devices people use on boats and how they use them.
Lithium-ion batteries power everyday items such as smartphones, laptops and rechargeable tools, as well as e-bikes, e-scooters and installed boat battery systems. They can be operated safely on boats when managed correctly, with a low likelihood of problems. If batteries are damaged and then fail, however, the risk of fire and harm to boaters increases.
Target of 1000 responses
BSS is a public safety initiative working to protect people, property and environments across the UK’s inland waterways. It hopes to gather 1,000 responses from across the country, covering every type of boat user.
Kevin Tyson, BSS general manager, says: “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.”
BSS is encouraging people to share the survey on social media, including local boating groups and marina community pages, and pass it on to friends and family.
The survey is open until 31 December 2026 Responses are fully anonymous and no personal information will be given to BSS. Respondents can also enter a free prize draw for the chance to win one of 10 £50 shopping vouchers.
Lithium-ion battery safety
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:
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