Proposal for 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
Date: 1994-09-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: approximation of laws, carriage of goods, carriage of passengers, inland waterway transport, intra-EU transport, ship's passport

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B r u s s e I s,  08.09.1994 

94/0196  (SYN) 

Proposal 

for  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  Coniiimnil > 

(presented  by  the  Commission) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

A.  GENERAL 

1. 

In  Directive  91/672/EEC  of  16.12.1991  the  Council  established  mutual  recognition  of 
national boatmasters'  certificates  issued by the Member States for the carriage of goods and 
passengers  by  inland  waterway.1  The  national  certificates  shown  in  Annex  I  to  the 
Directive enable Community carriers  to navigate all waterways in the Member States, with 
the exception  of  the  Rhine,  the  Lek  and  the Waal.  The  Rhine  navigation  licence,  issued 
in conformity  with  the Mannheim  Convention,  is valid  on all  Member  States'  waterways 
and  is  required  for  navigation  of  the Rhine,  the  Lek  and  the Waal. 

2.  Directive  91/672/EEC constituted only a first step towards a harmonized  system of national 
boatmasters'  certificates  and  the  Commission  services  have  now  drawn  up  common 
provisions  on  the  conditions  for  obtaining  national  boatmasters'  certificates  for  inland 
navigation.  To do  so,  they  consulted  Member  States and  professional  circles,  who  have 
given  a  favourable  opinion  on  the  initiative. 

3.  An examination of the national boatmasters'  certificates  for inland waterway  navigation in 
all  the Member  States  shows  that the  main differences  lie in  the  following  areas: 

minimum age 
physical  fitness 
professional  experience 
professional  knowledge. 

Harmonization must therefore  cover  these  four areas. 

1 OJL373, 31.12.1991. 

4. 

The conformity  of the planned Community  measures  with  the subsidiarity  principle can be 
analysed  by  answering  four  fundamental  questions. 

4.(a)  What are the objectives of the proposed  action  in relation  to the Community's  obligations? 

This  action  is  motivated  by  differences  between  Member  States  in  the  conditions  for 
obtaining  boatmasters'  certificates.  Although  inland  waterway  navigation  is by  nature an 
international  activity,  the conditions  for  granting  boatmasters'  certificates  differ  from  one 
country  to  another,  which  can  give  rise  to distortions  of  competition  between  carriers  of 
some Member  States.  In addition,  safety  conditions  in inland  waterway  navigation  should 
be gradually  raised  owing to the growth  in transport  of  dangerous  goods  and  the increase 
in  the size of  the transport  units on  the international  network.  This  safety  aspect,  which 
concerns  better  protection  of  human  life  and  waterway  vessels,  calls  for  harmonization 
upward  of  the conditions  for  obtaining  certificates. 

4.(b)  Does competence for the planned activity lie solely with the Community or is it shared  with 

the Member  States  ? 

This  proposal  is presented  on  the basis of  Article  75 of  the Treaty  and  hence  competence 
lies  exclusively  with  the  Community. 

4.(f)  What  forms  of  action  are available  to  the Community  ? 

It  is  appropriate  to  provide  for  a  single  national  boatmasters'  certificate  for  inland 
waterway  navigation  drawn  up in accordance  with  a Community  model  and  issued  by the 
Member  States.  This  certificate  will  be  valid  for  all  Community  waterways  with  the 
exception  of the  Rhine,  where  the  Rhine  navigation  licence  is  valid,  and  will  replace  the 
existing  national  certificates.  However,  a  Member  State  may,  after  consulting  the 
Commission,  exclude from  application  of  this Directive  those  national  waterways  that are 
not  linked  to  the waterway  network  of  another  Member  State. 

The advantage of a document based  on a single  model  is  that it is easy  to understand  both 
within and outside the Community,  which  makes it easier  to check,  above all owing to the 
use of a uniform  numbering  system  which also reduces  the problem  of knowledge of other 
languages.  This  Community  certificate  with  its  uniform  presentation  will  enable  the 
various national administrations to recognize its content and validity quickly.  The proposed 
model  has  the  modern  format  of  a  credit  card,  and  Member  States  may  use  advanced 
technologies  such  as  the insertion  of  a  hologram  to avoid  the  risk  of  forgery. 

4.(g)  Is  it  necessary  to have a uniform  regulation  or  would  a directive  be  sufficient? 

The  Commission  proposes  a directive  rather  than  a  regulation  in  order  to  leave  it  to  the 
Member  States to carry  out the harmonization  measures.  The directive introduces  a broad 
legislative framework  and guarantees  uniform  conditions for  obtaining  the certificate  in all 
Member  States,  while  giving  the  latter  responsibility  for  its  practical  execution. 

B. 

SPECIAL  CONSIDERATIONS 

Article 1 

The Directive retains the distinction  made on adoption of Council Directive 91/672/EEC,  which 
divided certificates  into those valid for Community waterways (Group  B) and special  certificates 
for  Community  waterways  including  waterways  of  a  maritime  character  (Group  A)  requiring 
specialist knowledge.  Both groups exclude the Rhine above the Spyckse Veer, but no longer the 
Lek and the Waal.  The  situation  permits  redefinition  of  the geographical  scope  to above the 
Spyckse Veer.  . In practice,  Member  States'  national boatmasters'  certificates  are accepted  on 
these Rhine tributaries in the Netherlands,  in so far as it is only a question of crossing  them, so 
that  there  is  no  point  in  excluding  the  Lek  and  the  Waal.  Paragraph  5  of  this  Article  also 
specifies  that  the  Directive  does  not  in  any  way  change  the  validity  of  the  Rhine  navigation 
licence.  As a transitional  measure,  paragraph  6 specifies  that the mutually  recognized  national 
boatmasters'  certificates  listed  in Annex  I to  the above Directive  and issued  before  the date of 
entry  into force  of  this Directive  will  remain  valid  until  their expiry dates. 

Article 2 

No comment. 

Article 3 

The second paragraph allows Member States with waterways not linked to the navigable network 
of  another  Member  State  to  choose  to  maintain  their  national  certificates  for  their  isolated 
networks,  but these certificates  will  be valid  only  on those  isolated  networks.  Member States 
whose waterways  are part of  the interlinked  network  must apply  the Directive. 

Article 4 

The validity of the certificate  meeting the minimum requirements of the Directive extends to all 
Community  Member States. 

Article 5 

Certificates  may  be  obtained  in  the  Member  States  between  the  ages  of  18  and  21.  The 
Commission  has chosen  the age of  21  for  safety  reasons,  but a certificate  issued  in a Member 
State from  the age of  18 will be recognized  by other Member States with a minimum age of 21 
on  their  territory  from  the  moment  the  boatmaster  reaches  the  age  of  21.  This  compromise 
solution  was  reached  in  the  framework  of  the  UN  Economic  Commission  for  Europe  and  its 
recommendation  approved on  10.12.1992. 

Article 6 

Every candidate must pass a medical examination  to obtain the certificate,  which it is suggested 
should be valid until the age of 65.  Although periodic renewal is not yet standard practice in all 
the  Member  States  concerned,  it  appears  desirable  that  the  boatmaster  should  pass  another 
medical examination at the theoretical  retirement age in many Member  States,  i.e.  65,  in order 
to be able to renew  his  certificate. 

Article  7 

The professional  experience required as member of the deck crew on board an inland waterway 
vessel  varies from two to five years depending on the country.  The optimum  minimum duration 
should  be  four  years,  validated  by  the competent authority  on  the  basis  of  a personal  service 
record,  with  provisions  for  reduction,  in  order  to  achieve  the  best  safety  conditions  and  to 
harmonize upward  the conditions  for obtaining  the certificates. 

In the European  navigable  network,  some  waterways  such as  the  Danube,  Elbe  and  Oder are 
partly  located in Community  territory.  For practical  reasons,  it appears  obvious  in  such cases 
to take account of  the professional  experience  acquired  on all  sections  of  the waterways. 

The practice in one Member State is for the applicant to pass a practical  test.  It has been shown 
that this can satisfy  a certain type of requirement.  Consequently,  it is conceivable to accept that 
a practical test can enable the applicant to sail a vessel with similar nautical characteristics  to that 
on which the test was taken,  validity  being restricted  to this type of  vessel. 

The Rhine navigation licence contains a clause reducing the professional  experience  required in 
the case of  applicants  over the age of  21  who have been  members  of  the deck  crew  of  inland 
navigation  vessels.  Such  a  clause  should  be  included  to  avoid  making  the  certificate  less 
accessible  than the Rhine licence. 

Article 8 

The applicant must have passed,  to the satisfaction  of  the competent authority,  the appropriate 
examination of knowledge of the basic subjects.  The list of  knowledge  required  in Annex  II is 
based  on the UN  Economic  Commission  for  Europe  recommendation  of  10 December  1992. 

Pursuant to Directive 91/672/EEC,  additional  knowledge of the local  situation  may be required 
by a Member State with the agreement of  the Commission.  Similarly,  in order  to take account 
of  particular  situations,  notably  the transport  of  large  numbers  of  passengers  within  a limited 
radius,  more detailed professional  knowledge of  the local  situation and of  rescue  procedures in 
the event of accidents specific  to that location may be required.  This extension of the knowledge 
required  is necessary  for obvious safety  reasons  in passenger  transport. 

Articles 9 and 10 

Additional professional  knowledge, verified  by an examination, is required  for safety  reasons to 
sail a vessel transporting dangerous substances.  The certificate  will mention the passing of this 
additional examination  in order  to qualify  boatmasters  to sail  vessels  transporting  this type of 
goods.  The same applies to navigation with the aid of  radar. 

Articles  11.  12.  13. 14 and 15 

No comments. 

Proposal  for  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 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN  UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing  the European  Community,  and in particular  Article  75 
thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal  from  the Commission,1 

In cooperation  with the European  Parliament,2 

Having regard  to the opinion of  the Economic  and Social  Committee,3 

Whereas  common  provisions  on  the  sailing  of  inland  waterway  vessels  on  the  Community's 
inland waterways should be introduced and a first step towards this goal was accomplished  with 
the  adoption  of  Council  Directive 91/672/EEC  of  16  December  1991  on  the  reciprocal 
recognition  of  national  boatmasters'  certificates  for  the  carriage  of  goods  and  passengers  by 
inland waterway;4 

Whereas differences  in national  legislation  relating  to the conditions  for obtaining boatmasters' 
certificates for inland navigation may distort competition between inland navigation carriers from 
the  various  Member  States;  whereas  such  distortions  should  be  eliminated  by  introducing 
common provisions  in this field at Community  level; 

Whereas  in accordance  with  the  subsidiarity  principle  and  in order  to guarantee  the  necessary 
uniformity  and  transparency,  the  Community  should  define  a  model  for  a  single  national 
boatmasters' certificate» mutually recognized by the Member States with no exchange obligation, 
responsibility for the granting of  which  would  lie with the Member States; 

4  OJ No L 373, 31.12.1991 

Whereas  national  navigable waterways  not  linked  to the navigable  network  of  another  Member 
State are not subject  to international  competition;  whereas  it is therefore  not necessary  to make 
compulsory  on  those  waterways  the  common  provisions  for  the  granting  of  boatmasters' 
certificates  provided  for  in this Directive; 

Whereas  the  main  objective  of  these  common  provisions  must  be  to  improve  the  safety  of 
navigation  and  the  protection  of  human  life;  whereas  it  is  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  the requirements  in question  must  concern  at least  the  minimum  age required  to sail a 
vessel,  the physical and mental fitness of applicants, their professional  experience and knowledge 
of  certain  subjects  relating  to the sailing  of  a  vessel;  whereas,  in  the  interests  of  the  safety  of 
the  vessel  and  of  the  persons  on  board,  Member  States  may  impose  additional  requirements 
regarding  in particular  the knowledge of certain  local situations;  whereas additional  professional 
knowledge is required  to sail a vessel  transporting  dangerous  substances  or to navigate with  the 
aid  of  radar; 

Whereas  it  is  necessary  to make provision  for  appropriate  procedures  to adapt  the  Annexes of 
this Directive;  whereas it is appropriate that the Committee referred  to in Directive  91/672/EEC 
should  assist  the  Commission  in adapting  the  Annexes, 

HAS  ADOPTED  THIS  DIRECTIVE: 

Article  1 

1.  Member  States  shall  draw  up  a  boatmasters'  certificate  for  the  carriage  of  goods  and 
passengers  by inland waterway,  hereinafter  referred  to as  the  "certificate",  in  accordance 
with  the Community  model described  in  Annex  I,  which  complies  with  the provisions  of 
this  Directive. 

2.  Member  States shall take all appropriate  measures to preclude the risk of certificates  being 

forged. 

3. 

The  certificate  shall  be  issued  by  the  competent  authority  of  the  Member  States  in 
It  shall  take  account  of  the  special 
conformity  with  the  provisions  of  this  Directive. 
characteristics  of the waterways  and  of  the certificates  referred  to in  Article  1  of  Council 
Directive 91/672/EEC,  namely: 

The  boatmasters'  certificate  valid  for  all  waterways  of  Member  States  with  the  exception 
of  the Rhine above the Spyckse  Veer  (Group  A). 

The  boatmasters'  certificate  valid  for  all  waterways  of  the  Member  States,  with  the 
exception  of  the  waterways  of  a  maritime  character  referred  to  in  Annex  II  to  Council 
Directive  91/672/EEC, and with the exception of the Rhine above the Spyckse  Veer (Group 
B). 

8 

4. 

5. 

6. 

The  Group  A  or  Group  B  certificate  issued  by  Member  States  in  conformity  with  the 
provisions  of the Directive  shall be valid for all the Group  A or Group  B waterways  of the 
Community. 

Subject to the provisions of Article  8(2), the Rhine navigation  licence, issued  in accordance 
with  the  revised  Convention  for  the  Navigation  of  the  Rhine,  shall  be  valid  for  all 
waterways  in  the  Community. 

The  national  boatmasters'  certificates  mutually  recognized  by  Directive  91/672/EEC 
referred  to in Annex I to that  Directive and delivered  before  1 January  1996 shall  remain 
valid  until  their  expiry  dates  with  no exchange  obligation. 

For  the purposes  of  this  Directive: 

Article  2 

(a) 

(b) 

"competent authority" shall mean the authority designated  by the Member  State to issue the 
certificate  after  verifying  that  the applicant  satisfies  the  requirements; 

"boatmaster"  shall  mean  the person  who  has  the  necessary  aptitude  and  qualifications  to 
sail  the  vessel  on  the  Member  States'  waterways  and  who  has  nautical  responsibility  on 
board; 

(c) 

"member  of  the deck crew"  shall  mean  a person  who has  regularly  participated  in  sailing 
a  vessel  in  inland  navigation. 

Article  3 

1. 

This  Directive  shall  apply  to  all boatmasters  of  inland  waterway  vessels:  self-propelled 
barges, tugs, pusher craft,  barges, pushed convoys or side-by-side formations,  used  for  the 
transport  of  goods  or  passengers. 

2.  A  Member  State  may,  after  consulting  the Commission,  exclude  national  waterways  not 
linked  to  the  navigable  network  of  another  Member  State  from  the  application  of  this 
Directive.  The  validity  of  the  national  certificate  issued  under  these  conditions  by  the 
Member  State shall  be  limited  to  the  isolated  network. 

Article  4 

1. 

In  order  to  obtain  a  certificate,  the  applicant  must  satisfy  the  minimum  requirements 
described  in Articles  5 to 8.  The certificate  shall  state whether the boatmaster  has a Group 
A or  Group  B authorization. 

2. 

The certificates  issued by the Member  States which meet these minimum requirements  shall 
be  mutually  recognized. 

Article  5 

An  applicant  must  be  at  least  21  years  of  age  in  order  to  obtain  a  certificate.  However,  a 
certificate  issued  in a Member State from  the age of  18 shall be recognized  by the other  Member 
States which impose a minimum  age of 21 in their territory  when the boatmaster  reaches  the age 
of21. 

Article  6 

1. 

The  applicant  shall  provide  proof  of  physical  and  mental  fitness  by  passing  a  medical 
examination  carried  out  by  a  doctor  recognized  by  the  competent  authority.  This 
examination  shah  cover  in  particular  visual and  auditory  acuity,  colour  vision,  motoricity 
of  the upper  and lower  limbs and  the neuro-psychiatric  state and  cardiovascular  condition 
of  the applicant. 

2.  On reaching  the age of  65, the holder of  a certificate  must,  in the following  three  months 
and  subsequently  every  three  years,  pass  the  examination  referred  to  in  the  preceding 
the competent  authority  shall  attest  on  the certificate  that  the boatmaster  has 
paragraph; 
satisfied  this  obligation. 

Article  7 

1. 

2. 

The  applicant  must  provide  proof  of  at  least  four  years'  professional  experience  as  a 
member  of  the deck  crew  on  an  inland  waterway  vessel. 

In  order  to  be  taken  into  account,  professional  experience  must  be  validated  by  the 
competent authority of the Member  State through having been entered  in a personal  service 
record.  It may have been acquired  on any of the Member  States'  waterways.  In the case 
of waterways which have part of their course on Community  territory,  such as the Danube, 
Elbe and  Oder,  the professional  experience acquired  on all  sections of these  watercourses 
will be taken  into  consideration. 

3. 

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

(a)  where  the  applicant  has  a  diploma  recognized  by  the  competent  authority  which 
confirms  specialized  training  in  inland  navigation  comprising  practical  navigation 
work;  the  maximum  reduction  of  two years  shall  be granted  only  if  the duration  of 
the  specialized  training  is  greater  than  or  equal  to three  years;  or 

(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;  or 

(c)  where the applicant has passed a practical examination  in sailing a vessel  with  similar 
nautical  characteristics  to  that  which  he or  she  is  intending  to  sail;  in  this  case,  the 
competent  authority  shall  indicate on  the boatmasters'  certificate  that  its  validity  is 
restricted  until  the holder  has  acquired  four  years'  professional  experience. 

4. 

The time during which the applicant was  member of the deck crew of an inland  navigation 
vessel  after  the  age  of  21  will  be  multiplied  by  1.5  for  the  purposes  of  calculating  the 
duration  of  professional  experience. 

Article  8 

1. 

2. 

The applicant must have successfully  passed an examination of professional  knowledge; this 
examination  must  include at least  the general  subjects  listed  in  Chapter  "A" of  Annex  II. 

Subject to the Commission's consent, a Member  State may require the 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  Council  Directive  91/672/EEC. 

Subject to the same reservation,  a Member  State may require the boatmaster of a passenger 
vessel, in areas where large numbers of passengers are transported  within a limited  radius, 
to have  more  detailed  professional  knowledge  of  special  provisions  relating  to  passenger 
safety,  particularly  in  the event of  accidents,  fire  or  shipwreck. 

Article  9 

1. 

In  order  to  be  authorized  to  sail  a  vessel  transporting  dangerous  substances  on  the 
Member  States' waterways, the boatmaster,  in addition to holding the certificate,  must also 
have passed  the  examination  covering  professional  knowledge  of  the  subjects  referred  to 
in Chapter  "B" of  Annex  II. 

Member  States  shall  recognize 
specifications  of  marginal  10170 of  the  ADNR  as proof  of  this  knowledge. 

the  attestation  delivered 

in  accordance  with 

the 

2.  An applicant  satisfying  the conditions  set  out  in  the previous  paragraph  shall  have  his  or 
her  fitness  to  sail  a  vessel  transporting  dangerous  substances  attested  by  the  competent 
authority  in  the  form  of  an  appropriate  endorsement  on  the  certificate. 

Article 10 

1. 

In order to be authorized  to navigate with the aid of radar,  the boatmaster,  in addition  to 
holding  the  certificate,  must  also  have  passed  the  examination  covering  professional 
knowledge of the subjects  referred  to in Chapter  "C" of Annex  II. 

2.  An applicant satisfying  the conditions set out in the previous paragraph  shall have his or 
her fitness to  navigate  by  radar  attested  by  the  competent  authority  in  the  form  of  an 
appropriate endorsement  on the certificate. 

Article 11 

If the competent authority refuses  to issue or withdraws a certificate,  it must give reasons for its 
decision. 

Article 12 

The  Commission  may  take  the necessary  steps  to adapt  the  model  boatmasters'  certificate  in 
Annex I  and  to  develop  the  necessary  professional  knowledge  required  for  the  issue  of  the 
certificate  specified  in Annex II in conformity  with the procedure  set out  in  Article  13 of  this 
Directive. 

Article 13 

1.  The Commission shall be assisted in application of Article 12 by the Committee set up by 

Council Directive 91/672/EEC. 

2.  The  representative  of  the  Commission  shall  submit  to  the  Committee  a  draft  of  the 
measures to be taken.  The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft,  within a time 
limit  which  the  Chairman  may  lay  down  according  to  the  urgency  of  the  matter.  The 
opinion shall be delivered by the majority  laid down in Article  148(2) of the Treaty  in the 
case  of  decisions  which  the  Council  is  required  to  adopt  on  a  proposal  from  the 
Commission.  The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee 
shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article.  The Chairman  shall not vote.  The 
Commission  shall  adopt  measures  which  are  immediately  applicable.  The  Commission 
shall  communicate  these  measures  to  the  Council  without  delay  if  they  are  not  in 
accordance with the opinion of the Committee.  In this case,  the Commission  may defer 
the  application  of  the  measures  by  a  maximum  of  one  month  from  the  date  of 
communication.  The Council, acting by a qualified majority,  may take a different  decision 
within  the period  specified  in the previous sentence. 

Article  14 

1.  Member  States  shall  implement  the  laws,  regulations  and  administrative  provisions 
necessary  to  comply  with  this  Directive  no  later  than  1 January  1996.  They  shall 
immediately  inform  the  Commission  thereof. 

2.  When Member  States adopt these provisions,  they shall contain a reference  to this Directive 
or shall be accompanied  by such reference on the occasion of their official  publication. The 
methods  of  making  such  a  reference  shall  be  laid  down  by  the Member  States. 

3.  Member States shall immediately communicate to the Commission  the text of the provisions 

they  adopt  in the fields governed  by this  Directive. 

4.  Where  necessary,  Member  States  shall  assist  one  another  in  the  implementation  of  this 

Directive. 

This  Directive  shall  enter  into  force  on  the twentieth  day after  its  publication. 

Article  15 

This  Directive  is addressed  to  the Member  States. 

Article  16 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The President 

t  ! 

t  ! 

13 

ANNEX I 

Model boatmasters'  certificate  for inland navigation 
(85 mm x 54 mm - light blue background) 

BOATMASTERS'  CERTIFICATE  FOR 
INLAND  NAVIGATION 

FRANCE 

*** 
* 
* 

* 
* 

1.  XXX 
xxx 
2. 
01.01.1996-F-Paris 
3. 
02.01.1996 
4. 

7.  Ml Ml H 

8.  A  B 
9.  DS R tonnes,  kw,  xx 
10.  01.01.2061 
11. 

6. 

5.  xxx 

BOASTMASTERS'  CERTIFICATE  FOR THE CARRIAGE OF 
GOODS  AND  PASSENGERS  BY  INLAND WATERWAY 

Issue  number 

I>iile  HIUI  place of birth 

1.  Holder's  name 
2.  First namc(ii) 
3. 
4.  Diitc of ixMie of the  certificate 
5. 
6.  1'holograph of the  holder 
7.  Holder's  signature 
8.  A.  All waterways  except  the Rhine 
H.  All waterways except  those of a 
maritime character  and  the Rhine 

-  DS  - Dangerous substances 
•  R  -Radar 
-  sole category  and capacity 
of vessel (tonnes,  kw, 
passengers) 

Expiry dale 
Endorsements) 
Restrictions) 

European Union model 

ANNEX II 

Professional  knowledge required to obtain the boatmasters' 
certificate  for inland navigation 

Chapter A 

General subjects relating to the transport of goods and passengers 

1.  Navigation 

(a)  Knowledge of the rules of the road and signs and signals on inland waterways, particularly 

the ECIW (European  Code for Inland Waterways) 

(b)  Knowledge  of  the  general  geographical  and hydrographical  characteristics  of  the  main 

waterways 

(c)  Knowledge of  the buoyage system 

(d)  Ability  to  use  nautical  documentation  (charts,  nautical  advice,  etc.)  and  navigation 

instruments  (compass, echo-sounder,  etc.) 

(e)  Ability  to  determine  the vessel's  position  irrespective  of  the  meteorological  conditions 

(reduced  visibility,  ice, etc.) 

Specific  knowledge  of  navigation  on  waterways  of  a  maritime  character,  concerning  in 
particular some  of  the subjects  in  (d) such as navigation  by compass  or use of  the echo-
sounder, is not required in order to obtain a Group B certificate,  referred  to in Article 1 
of the Directive. 

2.  Vessel manoeuvering and handling 

(a)  Handling of  the vessel  taking account of the effect  of current,  wind and  navigable depth 

under the keel 

(b)  Role and functioning  of the rudder and propeller 

(c)  Anchoring  and berthing in all conditions 

(d)  Entering  and leaving locks or ports;  meeting and passing  other vessels 

3.  Vessel construction and stability 

(a)  Knowledge of  the basic principles  of vessel construction  with  regard  in  particular  to the 

safety  of persons and the vessel 

(b)  Knowledge of the main elements of vessel  structure 

ir 

(c)  General theoretical  knowledge of buoyancy and stability  rules 

(d)  Measures  to be taken to ensure stability  of the vessel  in various  circumstances 

4.  Engines 

(a)  Basic knowledge of the design and working of the engines in order  to ensure their proper 

functioning 

(b)  Verification  of the functioning  of the main and auxiliary  engines and action  to be taken 

5.  Loading and unloading 

(a)  Use of Plimsoll lines 

(b)  Calculation of cargo weight using the tonnage certificate 

(c)  Loading and unloading operations 

6.  Action in special circumstances 

(a)  Measures  to be taken in the event of damage, collision or grounding  (before,  during and 

after  the event), including  stopping of holes in the hull 

(b)  Use of rescue apparatus and equipment 

(c)  First aid in the event of accidents 

(d)  Prevention  of fires  and use of fire-fighting  equipment 

(e)  Prevention of pollution of waterways 

7.  Communications 

Knowledge of radiotelephony  procedures 

8.  Basic knowledge relating to transport of dangerous substances and use of radar 

16 

Chapter  B 

Compulsory  additional  subjects  for the transport  of  dangerous substances 

(a)  Knowledge  of  the  international  rules  and  recommendations  relating  to  the  transport  of 

dangerous  substances  by waterway 

(b)  General  specifications  relating  to the transport  of  dangerous  substances 

(c)  Particular measures to be taken during loading and unloading of dangerous substances and 

during  the voyage 

(d)  Signals denoting  vessels  carrying  dangerous  substances  and marking  of  goods 

(e)  Accident prevention  measures and measures  to be taken during and after  an accident 

Chapter  C 

Obligatory  additional  knowledge  for  radar  navigation 

(a)  Knowledge of  radar theory:  general  knowledge of  radioelectric  waves  and  principles  of 

radar operation 

(b)  Ability  to  use  radar  equipment,  interpretation  of  the  radar  display,  analysis  of  the 
information  supplied  by  the  equipment  and  knowledge  of  the  limits  of  the  information 
supplied by radar 

(c)  Use of  the turn indicator 

(d)  Knowledge of  the ECIW rules on radar navigation 

11-

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(94) 359 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

07 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-94-369-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-72129-4 

Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 

1^2985 Luxembourg