Profession skipper

Skippers are the highest authority on-board or on inland waterways, they are in charge of the vessel and are held responsible for the safety and well being of the clients and crew. They are licensed by the responsible authority and will determine the operations of the vessel at any time. They are the ultimate instance responsible for the crew, the ship, the cargo and/or passengers, and the voyage.

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Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• 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.

• 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.

• Inland waterway ship building

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

• International regulations for cargo handling

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

• 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.

• Vessel fuels

  Know and understand characteristics of fuels and lubricants, and the fuel loading specifications of various types of vessels.

• Inland waterway police regulations

  Understand waterway rules, legal requirements, and relevant police regulations. Handle and maintain buoys, marking systems, and day and night signs.

• Vessel safety equipment

  Gain theoretical and practical knowledge of safety equipment used in vessels, including devices such as lifeboats, life rings, splash doors and fire doors, sprinkler systems, etc. Operate equipment during emergency situations.

• Passenger transport regulations

  Have knowledge of passenger transport conventions and regulations.

• Physical parts of the vessel

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

• Environmental aspects of inland waterway transportation

  Consider ecological aspects of the operation of ships in order to use vessels in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. Understand environmental aspects when navigating inland waterways.

• National regulations on handling cargo

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

• 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.

• International waterways

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

• 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.

• Vessel stability principles

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

• Functions of vessel deck equipment

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

Skills

• Manage vessel cargo activities

  Manage and oversee the safe and punctual loading and unloading of cargo from vessels in port.

• Navigate European inland waterways

  Navigate European waterways in accordance with navigation agreements.

• Assess stability of vessels

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

• Steer vessels

  Operate and steer vessels such as cruise ships, ferries, tankers, and container ships.

• 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.

• Monitor crew members operating engines

  Monitor the staff that operate the engines during operations. Communicate with them in order to obtain information relevant to the general steering of the ship.

• Assess trim of vessels

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

• Compose stowage plans

  Compose stowage plans; knowledge of ballast systems and cargo loading process.

• Ensure vessel compliance with regulations

  Inspect vessels, vessel components, and equipment; ensure compliance with standards and specifications.

• 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.

• Provide first aid

  Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.

• 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.

• Secure cargo in stowage

  Secure cargo stowage with basic knowledge of stowing methods; ensure efficient and safe transport of goods.

• Instruct crew in operations of technical shore-based facilities

  Instruct crew members in the pre- and after activities relating to the operations of technical shore-based facilities. Understand safety regulations required to work with shipboard electrical systems.

• Analyse reports provided by passengers

  Analyse reports submitted by passengers (i.e. on unforeseen occurrences or incidents such as vandalism or theft) in order to inform strategic decision making.

• Adhere to traffic regulations on inland waterways

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

• Undertake navigation safety actions

  Recognise unsafe situations and perform follow-up actions according to the safety regulations. Immediately warn ship management. Use personal protective and rescue equipment.

• Prepare and execute regular safety exercises

  Plan and perform regular safety exercises; maximise safety in potentially dangerous situations.

• Communicate mooring plans

  Prepare crew briefings on mooring plans and division of labour. Provide the crew with information on protective gear such as helmets and safety goggles.

• Ensure integrity of hull

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

• Ensure vessel security

  Ensure that security requirements for vessels are met according to legal norms. Check if the security equipment is in place and operational. Communicate with marine engineers to ensure that the technical parts of the vessel functioning effectively and can perform as necessary for the upcoming journey.

• 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.

• Coordinate the itineraries of vessels

  Develop, manage, and coordinate the itinerary of vessels worldwide together with other stakeholders.

• Recognise abnormalities on board

  Identify anomalies and abnormalities on board, evaluate them, and take appropriate actions to restore normal operation of ship. Check all (safety) systems for operational functions. Organise actions to be taken in the event of an identified problem.

• Use radar navigation

  Operate modern radar navigation equipment to ensure safe vessel operations.

• Assume highest level of responsibility in inland water transportation

  Understand the responsibilities that accompany the position of skipper. Assume responsibility for the integrity of ship's crew, cargo, and passengers; ensure that operations run as they should.  

• Use water navigation devices

  Utilise water navigation devices, e.g. compass or sextant, or navigational aids such as lighthouses or buoys, radar, satellite, and computer systems, in order to navigate vessels on waterways. Work with recent charts/maps, notices, and publications in order to determine the precise position of a vessel.

• Provide on-board safety training

  Develop and implement on-board safety training programmes.

• Plot shipping navigation routes

  Plot the navigation route of a vessel under the review of a superior deck officer. Operate a ship radar or electronic charts and automatic identification system.

• Conduct water navigation

  Ensure that a vessel carries up to date and adequate charts and appropriate nautical documents. Lead the process of preparing the voyage report, the vessel passage plan, daily position reports, and the pilot's information sheet.

• Calculate the amount of cargo on a vessel

  Determine the weight of cargo on tanker ships and cargo vessels. Calculate the exact amount of loaded cargo or cargo to be discharged.

• Conduct analysis of ship data

  Collect information from a vessel's management software and cross reference it to analyse the data from different points of view. Analyse data and apply judgement to inform decision-making.

• Use modern electronic navigational aids

  Use modern navigational aids such as GPS and radar systems.

• Read stowage plans

  Read and comprehend content of stowage plans; basic knowledge of how to stow various types of cargo.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB