Division 2.1 Minimum requirements for certification as a boatman

Every applicant for a Union certificate of qualification shall:

1. (a)

   • be at least 17 years of age;

   • have completed an approved training programme, as referred to in Article 19, which was of a duration of at least two years, and which covered the standards of competence for the operational level set out in Annex II;

   • have accumulated navigation time of at least 90 days as part of this approved training programme;

     or

2. (b)

   • be at least 18 years of age;

   • have passed an assessment of competence by an administrative authority as referred to in Article 18, to verify that the standards of competence for the operational level set out in Annex II are met;

   • have accumulated navigation time of at least 360 days, or have accumulated navigation time of at least 180 days if the applicant can also provide proof of work experience of at least 250 days that the applicant acquired on a sea-going ship as a member of the deck crew;

     or

3. (c)

   • have a minimum of five years’ work experience prior to the enrolment in an approved training programme, or have at least 500 days’ work experience on a sea-going ship as a member of the deck crew prior to the enrolment in an approved training programme, or have completed any vocational training programme of at least three years’ duration prior to the enrolment in an approved training programme;

   • have completed an approved training programme as referred to in Article 19, which was of a duration of at least nine months, and which covered the standards of competence for the operational level set out in Annex II;

   • have accumulated navigation time of at least 90 days as part of that approved training programme.