A4-0128/96

Decision on the common position established by the Council with a view to the adoption of a Council Directive on the harmonization of the conditions for obtaining national boatmasters' certificates for the carriage of goods and passengers by inland waterway in the Community (C4-0068/96 - 94/0196(SYN))

(Cooperation procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the common position of the Council, C4-0068/96 - 94/0196(SYN),

- having regard to its opinion at first reading (( OJ C 68, 20.3.1995, p. 41.)) on the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(94)0359 (( OJ C 280, 6.10.1994, p. 5.)),

- having regard to the amended Commission proposal, COM(95)0474 (( OJ C 20, 24.1.1996, p. 7.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 189c of the EC Treaty,

- having regard to Rule 67 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A4-0128/96),

1. Amends the common position as follows;

2. Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and Commission.

Common position of the Council Amendments by Parliament

(Amendment 1)

Recital 5

>Original text>

Whereas the main objective of these common provisions must be to improve the safety of navigation and the protection of human life; whereas it appears therefore essential that these provisions establish the minimum requirements which the applicant must meet in order to obtain the boatmasters' certificate for inland navigation;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the main objective of these common provisions must be to improve the safety of navigation and the protection of human life; whereas it appears therefore essential that these provisions establish the minimum requirements which the applicant must meet in order to obtain the boatmasters' certificate for inland navigation; whereas provision must be made to ensure that the Member States adopt similar procedures for examining knowledge and skills;

(Amendment 3)

Article 6(2)

>Original text>

2. On reaching the age of sixty-five years, the holder of a certificate must, in the following three months and subsequently every year, undergo the examination referred to in paragraph 1; the competent authority shall attest on the certificate that the boatmaster has satisfied this obligation.

>Text following EP vote>

2. On reaching the age of sixty-five years, the holder of a certificate must, in the following three months and subsequently every three years, undergo the examination referred to in paragraph 1; the competent authority shall attest on the certificate that the boatmaster has satisfied this obligation.

(Amendment 4)

Article 7(3) and (4) and (4a) (new)

>Original text>

3. The minimum duration of the professional experience referred to in paragraph 1 may be reduced by a maximum of three years:

>Text following EP vote>

3. The minimum duration of the professional experience referred to in paragraph 1 may be reduced by a maximum of two years:

>Original text>

(a) where the applicant has a diploma recognized by the competent authority which confirms specialized training in inland navigation comprising practical navigation work, the reduction may not be greater than the duration of the specialized training; or

>Text following EP vote>

(a) where the applicant has a diploma recognized by the competent authority which confirms specialized training in inland navigation comprising practical navigation work, the reduction may not be greater than the duration of the specialized training; or

>Original text>

(b) where the applicant can provide proof of professional experience acquired on a seagoing vessel as a member of the deck crew; in order to obtain the maximum reduction of three years, the applicant must provide proof of at least four years' experience in maritime navigation.

>Text following EP vote>

(b) where the applicant can provide proof of professional experience acquired on a seagoing vessel as a member of the deck crew; in order to obtain the maximum reduction of two years, the applicant must provide proof of at least four years' experience in maritime navigation.

>Original text>

4. The minimum duration of professional experience provided for in paragraph 1 may be reduced by a maximum of three years where the applicant has passed a practical examination in sailing a vessel; the certificate shall in that case cover only vessels with nautical characteristics similar to those of the vessel which underwent the practical examination.

>Text following EP vote>

4. The minimum duration of professional experience provided for in paragraph 1 may be reduced by a maximum of two years where the applicant has passed a practical examination in sailing a vessel; the certificate shall in that case cover only vessels with nautical characteristics similar to those of the vessel which underwent the practical examination. In this case the competent authority shall indicate that its validity is limited until the holder has four years' professional experience.

>Text following EP vote>

4a. The time which an applicant has spent, after reaching the age of twenty-one years, as a member of the deck crew of an inland navigation vessel shall be multiplied by 1.5 in order to calculate the number of years of professional experience.

(Amendment 5)

Article 8(2)

>Original text>

2. Subject to consultation of the Commission, a Member State may require a boatmaster to satisfy additional requirements concerning knowledge of the local situation for navigation of certain waterways, with the exception of the waterways of a maritime character referred to in Annex II to Directive 91/672/EEC.

>Text following EP vote>

2. Subject to approval by the Commission, a Member State may require a boatmaster to satisfy additional requirements concerning knowledge of the local situation for navigation of certain waterways, with the exception of the waterways of a maritime character referred to in Annex II to Directive 91/672/EEC.

>Original text>

Subject to the same reservation, a Member state may require the boatmaster of a passenger vessel, in certain limited areas, to have more detailed professional knowledge of special provisions relating to passenger safety, particularly in the event of accidents, fire or shipwreck.

>Text following EP vote>

Subject to the same reservation, a Member state may require the boatmaster of a passenger vessel, in certain limited areas, to have more detailed professional knowledge of special provisions relating to passenger safety, particularly in the event of accidents, fire or shipwreck.

(Amendment 6)

Article 10a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

In order to harmonize the examination syllabuses and procedures, the Commission shall encourage the competent authorities of the Member States to consult each other at least once a year on the examination requirements and regulations.