Unionspatent/ Union Licence – Combined Course

Aim

The common goal is to successfully implement a compact and at the same time practice-oriented preparation for the GDWS exams in order to lay the foundation for professional advancement to the management level.

Description

With the transposition of EU Directive 2017/2397 ‘Professional Qualifications in Inland Navigation’ into national law, some changes came into force. At the same time, the standards of competence, i.e. the content and structure of examinations, were aligned with European standards in the Inland Navigation Personnel Ordinance.

The introduction of the Union patent also makes it possible for career changers on inland waterways to move up from the operational level to the management level of the on-board team. We have therefore developed a special training concept to prepare career changers in the best possible way for the GDWS patent examination.

It is not enough to navigate an inland vessel from ‘A’ to ‘B’; rather, the ship’s command is expected to safely operate the inland vessel. The size of an inland vessel plays a subordinate role in this regard. Responsible ship’s command includes interpreting all nautical and technical decisions in terms of safe transport of goods on European waterways and/or the transport of persons. Understanding and observing national and international regulations is important in order to be able to take precautions when planning a route. In doing so, relevant national and international legal sources must be observed.

The high demands on the crew require the management to consciously assume the main responsibility. Managing the day-to-day business on board, whether it is freight, passenger, push boat or ferry transport, is therefore a matter of course. Accidents, regardless of their nature, must be avoided at all times. Thorough training and preparation for taking on this main responsibility is essential.

Please refer to our cancellation policy in our terms and conditions.

Content

• Legal provisions for navigating on inland waterways
• Special provisions for using waterways
• Obtaining nautical information for voyage planning
• Professional knowledge for responsible ship handling
• Basic vehicle equipment for ship operation
• Care and maintenance of ship equipment and operating technology
• Crew regulations in accordance with the personnel regulations
• Communication behaviour during manoeuvring
• Manoeuvring and steering a vehicle
• Occupational health and safety
• International transport of dangerous goods
• Preparation for the theory/practical examination

Further information

When you register for the course, you are not automatically registered with the Directorate General for Waterways and Shipping (GDWS) for the patent examination. Therefore, please register in good time for the patent examination at a GDWS location of your choice.

To pass the exam, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Proof of time at sea as a deck crew member
2. Physical/mental fitness as a ship’s captain
3. Possession of a radio certificate
4. Minimum age of 18 years

The examination and issuing fees for the licence card must be paid to the GDWS, i.e. these are not included in the course fee.

Detailed information is published at www.elwis.de. The closing date for registration for the patent examination is five weeks before the examination date.

Examination dates