Profession helmsman

Helmsmen are members of the crew on the highest rank of the operational level on an inland vessel. They perform a variety of duties concerned with the operation and upkeep of deck department areas, the engine and other equipment, mooring and unmooring, as well as the steering of the ship as the main task.

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Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• National regulations on handling cargo

  The national regulations governing the loading and unloading of cargo in ports within that country.

• European classification of inland waterways

  Understand the European CEMT classification of inland waterways; use modern information systems to compare the dimensions of the waterway to those of the vessel.

• International waterways

  The international waterways used for maritime navigation, the geographical location of currents, maritime waterways, and harbours.

• International regulations for cargo handling

  The body of conventions, guidelines and rules which dictate the activity of loading and unloading cargo in international ports.

• Functions of vessel deck equipment

  Know and control deck and safety equipment and vessel lifting facilities.

• Passenger transport regulations

  Have knowledge of passenger transport conventions and regulations.

• Anchors used in inland water transport

  Name and recognise different types of anchors used in inland water transport (IWT); explain the characteristics of different anchors and their specific uses.

• Vessel stability principles

  Thoroughly understand the principles of vessel stability; follow safety requirements during loading and unloading of cargo.

• Inland waterway ship building

  Understand inland waterway ship building and construction. Operate vessel in compliance with construction legislation.

• Distinguish ship construction methods

  Distinguish various methods of constructing vessels and how this affects their behaviour in the water in terms of strength and stability.

• National waterways

  Know the national waterways used for inland navigation, know geographical location of rivers, canals, seaports and inland harbours, and understand the relationship with cargo flows.

• Multimodal transport logistics

  Understand logistics and multimodal transport as the planning and control of the movement of goods or people, and all related logistical supporting activities.

• Physical parts of the vessel

  Detailed knowledge of the different physical components of the vessel. Provide maintenance and care to ensure optimal operations.

• Principles of cargo stowage

  Understand the principles of cargo stowage. Understand procedures by which containers should be efficiently loaded and unloaded, taking into account gravitational forces that are exerted during transportation.

Skills

• Help to control passenger behaviour during emergency situations

  Know how to use life-saving equipment in emergency situations. Provide assistance if leakages, collisions or fires should occur, and support the evacuation of passengers. Know crisis and crowd management, and administer first aid on board.

• Use radar navigation

  Operate modern radar navigation equipment to ensure safe vessel operations.

• Anchor ships to the port

  Anchor ships to the port according to the type of vessel.

• Distinguish various types of ships

  Recognise and name various types of vessels common in European maritime transport; understand the different characteristics, construction details, and tonnage capacities of different vessels.

• Control proceedings on board in the event of an emergency

  Control proceedings in the event of a leakage, fire, man overboard, collisions, and evacuations; implement crisis management and stay calm in emergency situations.

• Use meteorological information

  Use and interpret meteorological information for operations dependent on climatic conditions. Use this information to provide advise on safe operations in relation to weather conditions.

• Evaluate engine performance

  Read and comprehend engineering manuals and publications; test engines in order to evaluate engine performance.

• Assess trim of vessels

  Assess the trim stability of vessels, referring to the stability of a vessel while it is in a static condition.

• Supervise movement of passengers

  Oversee embarking and disembarking of travellers; ensure that safety regulations are followed according to specifications.

• Swim

  Move through water by means of the limbs.

• Communicate reports provided by passengers

  Transmit information provided by passengers to superiors. Interpret passenger claims and follow up requests.

• Assess stability of vessels

  Assess the two kinds of stability of vessels, namely transversal and longitudinal.

• Adhere to traffic regulations on inland waterways

  Understand and apply traffic rules in inland waterway navigation in order to ensure safety and avoid collisions.

• Apply regulations on cargo transport operations

  Display knowledge of relevant local, national, European and international regulations, standards, and codes concerning the operation of freight transport.

• Supervise unloading of cargo

  Supervise unloading processes for equipment, cargo, goods and other items. Ensure that everything is handled and stored correctly in accordance with regulations and standards.

• Restrict passenger access to specific areas on board

  Delimit access points for passengers on board and implement an effective protection system; prevent unauthorised access to restricted areas at all times.

• Navigate European inland waterways

  Navigate European waterways in accordance with navigation agreements.

• Supervise movement of crew

  Oversee embarkation and disembarkation of crew members; ensure that safety regulations are followed according to specifications.

• Assist anchoring operations

  Assist during anchoring operations; operate equipment and assist in anchor manoeuvres.

• Clean parts of vessels

  Clean engine rooms and vessel components using appropriate cleaning materials; ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

• Facilitate safe disembarkation of passengers

  Assist passengers when they leave the vessel, aircraft, train, or other mode of transport. Keep the safety measures and procedures in mind.

• Operate life-saving appliances

  Operate survival craft and their launching appliances and arrangements. Operate life-saving instruments like radio life-saving appliances, satellite EPIRBs, SARTs, immersion suits and thermal protective aids.

• Use equipment for safe stowage

  Use tools and equipment to perform safe stowage and ensure proper loading and securing of goods.

• Supervise loading of cargo

  Supervise the process of loading equipment, cargo, goods and other items. Ensure that all cargo is handled and stored properly in accordance with regulations and standards.

• Ensure safe loading of goods according to stowage plan

  Monitor and ensure the safe and secure loading of materials and goods, as specified in the stowage plan.

• Follow procedures in the event of an alarm

  Follow safety procedures in the event of an alarm; act according to company instructions and procedures.

• Understand different types of locks and their operation

  Master various engineering constructions and functions of bridges and locks in the field of navigation. Conduct locking and entering procedures.

• Moor vessels

  Follow standard procedures to moor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.

• Execute safety assurance exercises

  Organise and execute safety exercises; ensure safety in potentially dangerous situations.

• Assist passenger embarkation

  Assist passengers when they embark vessels, aircraft, trains and other modes of transport. Keep safety measures and procedures in mind.

• Adjust weight of cargo to capacity of freight transport vehicles

  Adapt weight of cargo to capacity of freight transport vehicles. Oversee the maximum load capacity of the vehicle in question and the weight of each individual crate in the shipment.

• Maintain ship stability in relation to weight of passengers

  Maintain vessel stability in relation to weight of passengers; communicate with passengers.

• Unmoor vessels

  Follow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.

• Stow cargo

  Stow cargo in a secure manner; operate handling gear and lashing equipment.

• Ensure integrity of hull

  Ensure sure that water does not break the hull; prevent progressive flooding.

• Use modern electronic navigational aids

  Use modern navigational aids such as GPS and radar systems.

• Manage vessel control systems

  Know, operate, test and maintain control systems of vessels. Maintain and if necessary repair electronic components of vessel control systems.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB