The Merchant Shipping (Inland Waterway and Limited Coastal Operations) (Boatmasters’ Qualifications and Hours of Work) Regulations 2006

19.  The syllabus is as follows—

• Section 1: General Group A certificates

  1.

  Navigation

  (a)

  Exact knowledge of the traffic regulations of inland and maritime waterways, particularly the European Code for Inland Waterways and of the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea and nautical signing (designation and buoying of waterways).

  (b)

  Knowledge of the general geographical, hydrological, meteorological and morphological characteristics of the main inland and maritime waterways.

  (c)

  Terrestrial navigation, including determination of course, position lines and ship’s position, nautical printed matter and publications, sea chart work, nautical marks and buoyage systems, checking of the compass and bases of tidology.

  2.

  Vessel manoeuvring and handling

  (a)

  Handling of the vessel taking into account the effect of wind, current, thrust deduction and draught for the evaluation of sufficient buoyancy and stability.

  (b)

  The role and functioning of the rudder and propeller.

  (c)

  Anchoring and berthing in all conditions.

  (d)

  Manoeuvres in ports and locks and when meeting and passing other vessels.

  3.

  Vessel construction and stability

  (a)

  Knowledge of the basic principles of vessel construction with particular regard to the safety of the crew, other persons and the vessel.

  (b)

  Basic knowledge of Directive 82/714/EEC of 4 October 1982(1), laying down the technical provisions for inland waterway vessels.

  (c)

  Basic knowledge of the main component parts of the vessel.

  (d)

  Theoretical knowledge of the buoyancy and stability rules and their practical application, especially seaworthiness.

  (e)

  Additional requirements, and in particular additional equipment, for maritime waterways.

  4.

  Engines

  (a)

  Basic knowledge of the design and working of the engines to ensure their proper functioning.

  (b)

  Operation and inspection of the main and auxiliary engines and action to be taken in case of malfunction.

  5.

  Loading and unloading

  (a)

  Use of draught indicators.

  (b)

  Determination of the loading weight using the certificate of measurement.

  (c)

  Loading and unloading and stowage of cargo (the stowage plan).

  6.

  Action in special circumstances

  (a)

  Principles of accident prevention.

  (b)

  Measures to be taken in the event of damage, collision and running aground, including the sealing of leaks.

  (c)

  Use of rescue apparatus and equipment.

  (d)

  First aid in the event of accidents.

  (e)

  Prevention of fires and use of fire-fighting equipment.

  (f)

  Prevention of pollution of waterways.

  (g)

  Specific measures relating to the rescue of persons, vessels and cargo on maritime shipping routes and survival in distress.

• Section 2: General Group B certificates

  1.

  Navigation

  (a)

  Exact knowledge of the traffic regulations of inland and maritime waterways, particularly the European Code for Inland Waterways, including nautical signing (designation and buoying of waterways).

  (b)

  Knowledge of the general geographical, hydrological, meteorological and morphological characteristics of the main inland waterways.

  (c)

  Determination of course, nautical printed matter and publications and buoyage systems.

  2.

  Vessel manoeuvring and handling

  (a)

  Handling of the vessel taking into account the effect of wind, current, thrust deduction and draught for the evaluation of sufficient buoyancy and stability.

  (b)

  The role and functioning of the rudder and propeller.

  (c)

  Anchoring and berthing in all conditions.

  (d)

  Manoeuvres in ports and locks and when meeting and passing other vessels.

  3.

  Vessel construction and stability

  (a)

  Knowledge of the basic principles of vessel construction with particular regard to the safety of the crew, other persons and the vessel.

  (b)

  Basic knowledge of Directive 82/714/EEC of 4 October 1982 on the technical provisions for inland waterway vessels.

  (c)

  Basic knowledge of the main component parts of the vessel.

  (d)

  Theoretical knowledge of the buoyancy ad stability rules and their practical application.

  4.

  Engines

  (a)

  Basic knowledge of the design and working of the engines to ensure their proper functioning.

  (b)

  Operation and inspection of the main and auxiliary engines and action to be taken in case of malfunction.

  5.

  Loading and unloading

  (a)

  Use of draught indicators.

  (b)

  Determination of the loading weight using the certificate of measurement.

  (c)

  Loading and unloading and stowage of cargo (the stowage plan).

  6.

  Action in special circumstances

  (a)

  Principles of accident prevention.

  (b)

  Measures to be taken in the event of damage, collision and running aground, including the sealing of leaks.

  (c)

  Use of rescue apparatus and equipment.

  (d)

  First aid in the event of accidents.

  (e)

  Prevention of fires and use of fire-fighting equipment.

  (f)

  Prevention of pollution of the waterways.

• Section 3: Additional subjects for radar navigation certification

  (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 obtained and knowledge of the limits of that information.

  (c)

  Use of the turn indicator.

  (d)

  Knowledge of the ECIW rules on radar navigation.

• Section 4: Additional knowledge for passenger transport certification

  (a)

  Basic knowledge of technical regulations on the stability of passenger vessels in case of damage, division into watertight compartments and plane of maximum draught.

  (b)

  First aid in case of accidents.

  (c)

  Fire prevention and fire-fighting equipment.

  (d)

  Life-saving methods and equipment.

  (e)

  How to protect passengers in general and especially in the case of evacuation, damage, collision, running aground, fire, explosion and other situations which may give rise to panic.

  (f)

  Knowledge of safety instructions; emergency exits, gangplank and use of emergency helm.

• Section 5: Additional knowledge for local navigational knowledge certification

  The practical skills and underpinning knowledge required for the issue of a relevant local knowledge endorsement of a boatmaster’s licence.

(1)

OJ No. L301, 28.10.1982, p.1.