Budapest – 11 May 2017 marked the first ever meeting of the European Committee for drawing up standards in the field of inland navigation (“CESNI”), or rather of the working group on Professional Qualifications at the Danube Commission in Budapest.

Experts from many European countries joined with representatives of the European Commission, the Danube, Rhine and Sava Commissions and the recognised associations in discussing the initial drafts of competencies standards and medical fitness criteria for crew members aboard inland waterway vessels. Particular prominence was given to the presentation of a proposal for describing the professional competence facing tomorrow’s boatman and boatmasters.

This was accompanied by an exchange of views on the future directive on the recognition of professional inland navigation qualifications in Europe’s river basins, currently being discussed by the EU legislator. The participants were also able to find out about ongoing and envisaged projects, in particular the Danube Skills and Sector Skills Alliance projects.

Danube Commission guests: members of the working group on Professional Qualifications