Recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation

KEY POINTS

The directive introduces a harmonised system for the certification and recognition of professional qualifications of persons operating craft on inland waterways, allowing certificate holders to operate throughout the EU. This now includes the Rhine, which was excluded from Directive 91/672/EEC and Directive 96/50/EC, which this legislation repeals with effect from 17 January 2022 (see summary).

Scope

The system applies to all deck crew members, liquefied natural gas experts and passenger navigation experts working on passenger vessels and other craft more than 20 metres in length (as well as certain other specific types of vessels), except where navigation is for sport or leisure, or by the armed forces or emergency services.

EU certificates of qualification

The directive provides the following.

• Deck crew members, persons qualified to take measures in emergency situations on board passenger vessels and persons involved in refuelling vessels operating on liquefied natural gas must have an EU certificate of qualification.
• Boat-masters must have specific authorisations when they:
  • navigate on stretches of inland waterway with specific risks;
  • navigate on inland waterways with a maritime character;
  • navigate by radar;
  • operate vessels powered by liquefied natural gas;
  • sail in large convoys.

The directive sets out minimum requirements for age, administrative compliance, competence and navigation time for the different qualifications. It also requires all deck crew members to meet certain standards for medical fitness.

The directive takes account of the different characteristics of EU Member States by granting exemptions from some measures. This is the case in particular for Member States whose waterways are not connected to those of other Member States and where inland navigation is only seasonal or very limited. All other Member States with navigable inland waterways need to take the necessary measures to implement the certificate recognition system covered by the directive for these waterways.

Recognition

EU certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks issued by competent authorities are valid on all inland waterways in the EU. Certificates issued in accordance with the regulations for Rhine navigation personnel, which lay down requirements that are identical to those of the directive, are also valid on all EU waterways. Any non-EU country may apply to the European Commission for recognition of the certificates, service record books or logbooks issued by its authorities. Every 8 years, the Commission will review whether the non-EU country’s certification scheme conforms with this directive.

Competence-based approach

Each Member State should ensure that persons receiving certificates of qualification have the corresponding minimum levels of competence by carrying out an assessment. This could be an administrative examination or part of an approved training programme. The possibility of examination on simulators is also included in the directive.

Criteria for classification of some sections of inland waterways

The directive sets objective and transparent criteria for Member States to identify inland waterways with specific risks and for the classification of inland waterways with a maritime character.

Information exchange system

The directive provides for the setting up of an information system to facilitate the exchange of data on certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks between the authorities in charge of the implementation and enforcement of the directive.

Jobs and skills

The Commission has adopted the following implementing and delegated acts with regard to jobs and skills in inland waterway transport:

• Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/182 on models in the field of professional qualifications in inland navigation;
• Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/473 on standards for databases for the EU certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks;
• Delegated Directive (EU) 2020/12 on standards for competences and corresponding knowledge and skills, for the practical examinations, for the approval of simulators and for medical fitness.