Union Patent – Combined Course

Aim

Our shared goal is to deliver a compact yet practice-oriented preparation for the GDWS examinations and successfully implement it, thereby laying the foundation for professional advancement into a leadership position.

Description

With the implementation of EU Directive (EU) 2017/2397 on “professional qualifications in inland navigation” into national law, a number of changes came into force. At the same time, the qualification standards set out in the Inland Navigation Personnel Ordinance (BinSchPersV)—i.e., the examination content and examination structure—were aligned with European standards.

Obtaining the Union Patent also enables career changers in inland navigation to progress from the operational level to the leadership level of the on-board crew on inland waterways. We have therefore developed a special training concept to prepare career changers as effectively as possible for the GDWS patent examination.

It is not sufficient simply to steer an inland vessel from “A” to “B”. Instead, the person in charge is expected to operate the inland vessel safely as an asset in commercial service. The size of the vessel plays only a secondary role. Responsible vessel operation means making all navigational and technical decisions with a view to safe transport of goods on European waterways and/or the carriage of passengers. Understanding and complying with national and international regulations is essential in order to make the necessary provisions for route planning. Relevant national and international legal sources must be observed.

The high demands placed on the crew require the leadership level to consciously assume overall responsibility. Managing day-to-day operations on board—whether in cargo shipping, passenger shipping, push-towing operations, or ferry services—is therefore taken as a matter of course. Casualties or accidents of any kind must be avoided at all times. Sound training and thorough preparation for assuming this overall responsibility are indispensable.

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for cancellation policies.

Content

• Legal regulations for navigating inland waterways
• Special regulations for the use of waterways
• Obtaining nautical information for voyage planning
• Professional knowledge for responsible vessel operation
• Basic vessel equipment for ship operations
• Maintaining and servicing ship equipment and operational technology
• Crew regulations in accordance with personnel ordinances
• Communication practices during manoeuvring operations
• Manoeuvring and steering a vessel
• Occupational safety and health protection
• International transport of dangerous goods
• Exam preparation (theory/practice)

Further information

By registering for the course, you are not automatically registered with the General Directorate for Waterways and Shipping (GDWS) for the Union Patent examination. Please make sure to register for the examination in good time with a GDWS office of your choice.

To take the examination, you must meet the following requirements:

• Proof of navigation time as a member of a deck crew
• Physical/mental fitness to act as a boatmaster
• Possession of a VHF radio operator’s certificate
• Minimum age: 18 years

The examination and issuance fees for the patent card must be paid to the GDWS, i.e. they are not included in the course fee.

Detailed information is published at www.elwis.de. The registration deadline for the Union Patent examination is five weeks before the exam date.

Examination dates