Students learn to connect inland training ships according to new European directive

Students from the Maritime Academy Harlingen have followed practical lessons to connect the training ships Princess Máxima and Amalia. With these practical lessons and the administration of a digital exam for the theory, the Maritime Academy Harlingen already complies with the new European directive ES-Qin OL 1.1.2 Navigation for inland shipping, which will come into effect in January 2021.

When docked, the training ships Princess Máxima and Amalia are connected together as a close-knit assembly, so that they can continue sailing as one. “Safety, collaboration and communication are essential when performing this task”, says Arjen Mintjes, director of the Maritime Academy Harlingen. “Pupils learn in practice what to pay attention to and how to perform their tasks safely.”

The coming months COMPETING will deliver EU harmonised lesson material and course manuals that can help inland navigation schools and training institutions to give their education in line with the new directive.