Uniform European training record book for inland shipping

The development of the new record book is part of the pan-European project COMPETING in which fifteen organisations from eight countries prepare the introduction of competence based education and training for European inland navigation. The minimum requirements for age, administrative compliance, competence and navigation time under Directive (EU) 2017/2397 consist of a navigation time on board an inland vessel, completed approved training programmes, assessment of competence, internship on board the vessel  and extensive simulator training.

The new European Training Record Book, is one of the first results of the COMPETING project. The record book , developed under the direction of the Romanian maritime training centre CERONAV in Constanta, guides incoming/new crew members on board in their practical training and is a manual for teachers and internship supervisors. Training courses, assessment of competence, simulator training  and results achieved are recorded in the record book. ‘’This training record book is an important development in the implementation of a  harmonised education, training and certification system in the inland navigation sector in Europe and making it future proof,’’ says Liliana Martes – trainer in CERONAV .

‘’For the COMPETING project the development of this record book is a milestone,’’ reacts Jan Smallegange of Rotterdam based STC Group as project manager of COMPETING. ‘’Harmonised and future proof education and training will contribute to not only the mobility on the European labour market, but also to more safety on the European inland waterways.’’

‘’For the harmonisation of all inland navigation education and training in the European Union an uniform training record book  is very important,’’ says president Arjen Mintjes of EDINNA, the network of European education and training organisations in inland navigation. ‘’I’m very pleased with this job done so well by our Romanian colleagues. I expect all EDINNA members will make use of this record book.”

In the COMPETING project, seven competencies and the accompanying teaching materials are being worked on, both at operational and management level. These include navigation, operation of the craft, cargo handling, stowage and passenger transport, marine engineering and electrical, electric and control engineering, maintenance and repair, communication and health safety and environmental protection.