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Requirements for operators, skippers, and crews in passenger shipping

In the Netherlands, there are rules regarding the qualifications and expertise of operators and skippers, the composition of the minimum crew and rest periods in passenger shipping. The rules that apply depend on the type of vessel and where it operates. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) monitors compliance with these rules. 

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Navigation area: inland waters, sea, or both?

  • If your passenger ship only operates on inland waters, scroll down to ‘Requirements for the crew of passenger ships on inland waterways’. 
  • If your passenger ship only sails at sea, the rules for sea-going vessel crews apply.
  • If your passenger ship sails on both inland waterways and at sea, the crew must meet the requirements for both.
  • There are separate rules for water taxi skippers (in Dutch).

Rules for the crew of passenger ships on inland waterways

Ships carrying 12 or more passengers on inland waterways in the Netherlands fall under the Binnenvaartwet (Inland Navigation Act, in Dutch). These vessels are subject to the general rules for operators, skippers, and crews on inland waterways.

Additional rules for passenger ships are outlined in the Reglement scheepsvaartpersoneel op de Rijn, RSP (Regulations for Rhine Navigation Personnel, RPN, in Dutch). There must be safety personnel on board with the following qualifications:

  • Passenger navigation expert (RPN 16.02).
  • First aiders (RPN 16.07).
  • Breathing apparatus wearer (RPN 16.08).

The required number of safety personnel is specified in RPN 16.11.

Ship’s journal for ferries and open canal-cruise boats on inland waterways

A vaartijdenboek (sailing log book) is not required for veerboten (ferries), veerponten (cable ferries) or open rondvaartboten (canal-cruise boats) on inland waterways in the Netherlands. Instead, you must keep a scheepsjournaal (ship’s journal), including the name of the ship and its official registration mark or official ship number.

In this ship’s journal, you must record the following information every day:

  • The names and roles of the crew members.
  • When the ship’s and crew members' shifts start and end.
  • Any crew changes throughout the day.