Carriage of goods and persons by inland waterway: conditions for obtaining national boatmasters' certificates

The rapporteur, Mr van der Waal (EDN, NL), stated that he could accept the change of scope introduced by the common position, which meant in particular that the question of transporting dangerous goods by navigable waterways would be the subject of a specific directive. As regards the other points, the rapporteur said that the Transport and Tourism Committee intended to maintain its previous position. In particular he pointed out that when it came to obtaining boatmasters’ certificates the minimum period of professional experience could be reduced by two years at most (rather than three, as provided for in the common position) if the applicant was holder of a recognised diploma or could provide proof of professional experience acquired on board a sea-going vessel. The rapporteur also thought that the examinations for boatmasters over the age of 65 should be held at three-year intervals. Finally, he pointed out that one of the amendments was aimed at excluding from the scope of the directive those boatmasters operating exclusively on navigable waterways connecting two Member States, but not connected to the inland waterway network of a third Member State. Commissioner Kinnock called on Parliament to approve the common position without further ado, as the Commission was unable to accept any of the amendments that had been tabled by Parliament.