Does it just apply to new boats?
No, not exclusively, it applies to all pleasure craft when they are first ‘put on the market or put into service ‘ within the European Economic Union. So this includes craft imported from outside the EU and any commercial craft converted for pleasure use wherever they are sourced. As such commercial narrow boats, barges, fishing vessels, Tugs, work boats and passenger boats which were in a commercial capacity after 16th June 1998 are all required to comply with the Recreational Craft Directive when they are ‘put on the market or put into service ‘ as a recreational craft.
