Position of the Danube Commission regarding the Proposal on three types of boatmasters’ certificates Petar Margic Danube Commission, Budapest

1.Benefits of the Proposal of the Danube Commission and International Sava River Basin Commission 2.Drawbacks of the Proposal of the Danube Commission and International Sava River Basin Commission 3.Conclusions Contents: SC.3/WP.3 Geneva, June 14, 2011 Special consultation meeting on boatmasters’ certificates

a)Increased safety in inland navigation b)By introducing of additional C class the possibility of accidents is reduced c)By increasing the age limit from 21 to 24 years of age the possibility of inexperienced captains navigating large formations and passenger ships on complex parts of waterways will be prevented. d)Greater competence as well as respect for the position of ship’s captain without taking additional professional exams SC.3/WP.3 Geneva, June 14, 2011 Special consultation meeting on boatmasters’ certificates 1.Benefits of the Proposal of the Danube Commission and International Sava River Basin Commission:

SC.3/WP.3 Geneva, June 14, 2011 Special consultation meeting on boatmasters’ certificates 1.Benefits of the Proposal of the Danube Commission and International Sava River Basin Commission: e)Harmonization of the new EC Directive (revised Directive 96/50/EC) with the regulations of all river commissions and UNECE f)Reciprocal recognition of all boatmasters’ certificates on European waterways g)Efficient control and supervision of navigation safety

SC.3/WP.3 Geneva, June 14, 2011 Special consultation meeting on boatmasters’ certificates Accident MS Bavaria 52 and Cruiser Viktoria at 06:30 Lock of Gabcikovo Channel km 34 Wednesday, April 13, 2011

SC.3/WP.3 Geneva, June 14, 2011 Special consultation meeting on boatmasters’ certificates Accident MS Bavaria 52 and Cruiser Viktoria at 06:30 Lock of Gabcikovo Channel km 34 Wednesday, April 13, 2011

SC.3/WP.3 Geneva, June 14, 2011 Special consultation meeting on boatmasters’ certificates Accident MS Bavaria 52 and Cruiser Viktoria at 06:30 Lock of Gabcikovo Channel km 34 Wednesday, April 13, 2011

SC.3/WP.3 Geneva, June 14, 2011 Special consultation meeting on boatmasters’ certificates Accident MS Bavaria 52 and Cruiser Viktoria at 06:30 Lock of Gabcikovo Channel km 34 Wednesday, April 13, 2011

a)Absence of “Accident Data Base” on the Danube river b)Due to urgent actualization of the Directive 96/50/EC, there is not enough time for a detail analysis of the common position of the Danube Commission and Danube shipping companies regarding the introduction of additional C class c)Different positions of the CCNR, DC and SC regarding the need for introducing of additional C class SC.3/WP.3 Geneva, June 14, 2011 Special consultation meeting on boatmasters’ certificates 2. Drawbacks of the Proposal of the Danube Commission and International Sava River Basin Commission:

The initiative for modifying of the DC “Recommendations on boatmasters’ certificates” has been taken with the aim of increasing the safety of navigation on the Danube Technical experts from 10 DC member states ( 5 EU + 5 non EU) have, based on their long-time experience in the field of navigation on the Danube as well as on their three-year work on modifying of the DC “Recommendations for boatmasters’ certificates“, reached a conclusion on the necessity of introducing of C class. Next steps: Convergence of positions of CCNR, DC and SC regarding boatmasters’ certificates. Need to modify the Directive 96/50/EC SC.3/WP.3 Geneva, June 14, 2011 Special consultation meeting on boatmasters’ certificates 3.Conclusions

Thank you for your attention! SC.3/WP.3 Geneva, June 14, 2011 Special consultation meeting on boatmasters’ certificates Petar Margic Counselor for Nautical Issues