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18-Month Boatmaster Programme – Slovakia

18-Month Programme · Slovakia 🇸🇰

18-Month Pathway to Boatmaster Level

A structured programme covering the transition to inland navigation, qualification as a Boatman at Operational Level and preparation for Boatmaster responsibilities at Management Level.

Programme price: €17,170
Programme overview

A Structured Pathway Through Operational and Management Level

The 18-month programme supports participants as they move from ocean-going shipping or another professional background into European inland navigation.

The programme includes training and examinations at Operational Level and Management Level, together with practical training aboard the River Academy training ship and on CESNI-certified simulators.

The programme contains three intensive training blocks of four weeks, combined with practical onboard experience and the required documented sailing days.

The Management Level Examination is completed during the 18-month programme. The later Boatmaster licence application requires additional sailing days after the programme and fulfilment of the Slovak Transport Authority’s licensing requirements.

Who is this programme for?

Eligibility for Admission

Admission is subject to an individual eligibility and document check.

A minimum of five years of employment experience, regardless of industry
OR
A minimum of 500 navigation days in the Deck Department of an ocean-going vessel

The applicant’s documents, professional experience and existing qualifications are checked before enrolment. Ocean-going navigation days must be verified using the participant’s ocean-going seafarer’s Record Book.

Examination languages

Examinations in Slovakia

The Operational Level Examination and Management Level Examination are conducted in English. The only exception is the VHF Examination, which is conducted in German.

How the Programme Is Structured

The programme contains three intensive training blocks of four weeks. Each block supports a different stage of the participant’s progression in inland navigation.

1
4 weeks

Transition from Ocean to River

Goal: Help trainees understand the river cruise industry and prepare for their first onboard experience.

Complete the required documents and obtain the River Record Book, Medical Certificate and Apprentice qualification
Basic Safety and First Aid training
German-language training focused on VHF and onboard communication using “River Speak”
VHF radio communication in German
Practical training aboard the River Academy training ship
Practical skills training using CESNI-certified simulators
2
4 weeks

Become a Qualified Boatman

Goal: Complete the training and examinations required for progression to the Boatman qualification at Operational Level.

Complete the paperwork to progress from Apprentice to Boatman
VHF Examination in German: prepare for and take the VHF Examination in Slovakia to obtain the VHF licence
Operational Level Examination in English: the Examination is conducted by River Academy in Slovakia
Continue practical training aboard the River Academy training ship
Improve navigation and operational skills using CESNI-certified simulators

The application for the Boatman qualification is planned for month nine of the programme. The participant must successfully pass the Operational Level Examination, complete 90 sailing days as an Apprentice and provide the required documentation.

3
4 weeks

Prepare for Boatmaster Level

Goal: Complete the Management Level training and Examination and prepare for higher responsibilities onboard.

Complete the paperwork to progress from Boatman to Able Boatman
Continue advanced practical training aboard the River Academy training ship
Train with more advanced scenarios using CESNI-certified simulators
Study Radar and Inland ECDIS navigation systems
Management Level Examination in English: the Examination is conducted by River Academy in Slovakia as part of the 18-month programme

Participants complete one of the following additional qualification pathways, including the relevant Examination:

Safety Expert for Passenger Vessels training, Examination and certification
OR
ADN Basic Training and Examination for dangerous goods transport

The selected additional qualification depends on the participant’s intended career pathway.

Additional qualification

BDO Training and Qualification

BDO training and qualification are also included in the programme. The exact placement within the three four-week blocks depends on the available training schedule.

BDO training sessions are usually offered in Slovakia between January and March. At other times, sessions are normally available in Düsseldorf each month.

Programme Enrolment, Required Documents and Administrative Steps

The following eight steps explain the enrolment, documents, examinations and applications connected with the programme and the later Boatmaster licence application.

Steps 1–7 take place during or in connection with the 18-month programme. Step 8 follows after the programme, once the additional sailing-day and authority requirements have been fulfilled.

1

Programme Enrolment

Minimum five years of employment experience, regardless of industry
OR
Minimum 500 navigation days in the Deck Department of an ocean-going vessel
The ocean-going navigation days must be verified using the participant’s ocean-going seafarer’s Record Book

Admission is subject to an individual eligibility and document check.

2

Apply for a River Record Book

Successful enrolment in the River Academy programme
Valid passport
Passport photograph
Medical Certificate accepted by the Slovak Transport Authority
Slovak Transport Authority application forms
3

Apply for Apprentice Qualification

Apprentice qualification: Leichtmatrose.

Issued River Record Book
Enrolment in the River Academy 18-month programme
Slovak Transport Authority application forms
4

Operational Level Examination

Completion of River Academy Operational Level training
Completion of all theoretical modules
Completion of all practical assessments
Internal River Academy approval
The Operational Level Examination is conducted by River Academy and the Slovak Transport Authority in Slovakia in English
5

Apply for Boatman Qualification

Boatman qualification: Matrose.

Slovak Transport Authority application forms
Successfully passed Operational Level Examination
Passport copy
River Record Book showing at least 90 sailing days as an Apprentice
Sea Service Certificate (SCC) or Ocean-Going Record Book (if an SCC is not available) as proof of at least 500 days of sea service
Copy of the ship’s Board Book

The application is planned for month nine of the programme, provided the Examination, sailing-day and documentation requirements have been fulfilled.

6

Apply for Able Boatman Qualification

Able Boatman qualification: Bootsmann.

Slovak Transport Authority application forms
Passport copy
River Record Book
Copy of the ship’s Board Book
At least 180 sailing days as a Boatman (Matrose), recorded in the River Record Book

The application can be submitted once the participant has completed and documented 180 sailing days as a Boatman. It is not automatically tied to month eighteen.

7

Management Level Examination

Participation in and completion of the River Academy 18-month programme
Completion of River Academy Management Level training
Required Slovak Transport Authority forms and documentation
Valid Medical Certificate for Boatmaster
Valid VHF certificate
Any additional certificates required by the Slovak Transport Authority for the selected pathway
The Management Level Examination is conducted by River Academy and the Slovak Transport Authority in Slovakia in English

The Management Level Examination is completed as part of the 18-month programme.

After the 18-Month Programme
8

Apply for a Boatmaster Licence

Boatmaster licence: Union Certificate / Unionspatent.

Successful completion of the River Academy 18-month programme
Successfully passed Management Level Examination
At least 180 sailing days completed after the 18-month programme
Passport copy
Valid VHF radio licence issued by a transport authority in the European Union
River Record Book documenting the required sailing days as an Able Boatman
Slovak Transport Authority form
Valid Medical Certificate for Boatmaster

The Boatmaster licence application can be submitted after the participant has completed at least 180 additional sailing days following the 18-month programme.

Sailing days and supporting evidence

How Sailing Days Are Documented

Sailing days are required at several stages of the pathway. The relevant entries and supporting documents must be complete before submission to the Slovak Transport Authority.

Sailing days are completed onboard
The Boatmaster onboard records and signs the sailing days
The participant checks and controls the entries
The participant collects copies from the ship’s Board Book
The participant brings the Record Book to a competent authority for stamping before submitting it to River Academy.

The Slovak Transport Authority makes the final decision regarding recognition of the submitted sailing days and documentation.

Who Is Responsible for What?

⚓

River Academy

Check eligibility and documents before enrolment
Provide the Operational Level and Management Level training
Conduct the Operational Level Examination and Management Level Examination in Slovakia
Provide VHF training and the German-language VHF Examination
Provide training aboard the River Academy training ship
Provide CESNI-certified simulator training
Provide the selected Passenger Vessel Safety Expert or ADN Basic pathway, including the relevant Examination
Provide BDO training and qualification according to the available schedule
Assistance with sailing day documents before submission to the Slovak Transport Authority.
👤

The Participant

Provide complete and correct personal documents
Maintain valid identification, Medical Certificates and required licences
Complete the required training and examinations
Complete the required sailing days
Check that sailing days are recorded and signed correctly
Collect copies of the relevant entries from the ship’s Board Book
Ask the competent Authority to verify and stamp the sailing days recorded in the Record Book.
🛳️

The Boatmaster Onboard

Train the participant as per workbook requirements and verify competence.
Record and sign sailing days on the Record Book and Board Book.

Practical Training During Normal Onboard Operations

The graphic shows how an Apprentice can be integrated into normal onboard operations without increasing the crew size.

Illustration showing how an Apprentice can be integrated into the existing minimum crew

Boatmaster Requirements According to ES-QIN

The competence requirements for qualifications at Operational Level and Management Level are described in the European Standard for Qualifications in Inland Navigation, ES-QIN.

Download the ES-QIN Requirements

Interested in the 18-Month Programme?

Contact River Academy for further information about the programme, the individual eligibility check and the next steps.

I’m Interested