The practical examinations for obtaining the "special authorisation for radar" take place at the Rhine Skippers' Vocational College in Duisburg, on a simulated ship with a length of 33 metres. The examinations are standardised both as Special authorisation for the Union/Rhine patent as well as Additional qualification for a pleasure craft licence offered. This was announced by the Directorate-General for Waterways and Shipping (GDWS).
Astrid Swieter, Head of the General Affairs of Inland Navigation, Certification Department at the GDWS, says: "By switching to the simulator, we are taking a further step in the digitalisation of examinations. We are achieving several goals at once. Above all, these include better comparability thanks to the standardised examination conditions - a simulated ship and a fictitious route. And: as a real ship is no longer required, operating resources are saved and the ship's crews are relieved."
The small vessel certificate test is now also simulated
Previously, the theoretical examinations for a radar licence had to be taken at the respective examination location. The subsequent practical examination took place on a ship of the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration on the Elbe and the Rhine. According to the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration, the practical examination for obtaining the "Small Vessel Certificate for Small Passenger Shipping" now also takes place on the simulator on the new simulated examination vessel.
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The topic of radar navigation has become much more relevant for recreational boaters in recent years. This is mainly due to technical developments. In the past, radar systems for pleasure craft were still extremely expensive, technically demanding and complicated to use, but things are now very different. Nowadays, yacht radar systems are affordable, much easier to operate and can be integrated into existing on-board navigation systems.
Why radar is important inland and at sea
Expert Sven M. Rutter recently explained in detail in an article what is important, how to operate the yacht radar and what tricks you can use to explain the navigation to yourself (click here for the article).
There are still comparatively few yachts equipped with radar systems in the coastal area. GPS, plotters and AIS dominate here. Skippers of seagoing yachts, on the other hand, are increasingly using radar technology.
And recreational boaters are also well advised to equip their vessels with radar on the major inland waterways, especially on the Rhine. The dense traffic with fast passenger ships, difficult-to-manoeuvre cargo convoys and numerous other water sports enthusiasts presents modern leisure skippers with challenges that are much more difficult to overcome with traditional navigation alone.
The Rhine as a motorway for freighters, cruise ships, ferries and pleasure craft
On the Rhine between Mainz and Cologne, for example, the volume of traffic is comparable to that on busy motorways. Commercial vessels with lengths of over 100 metres and speeds of up to 25 km/h share the fairway with pleasure craft, which often travel at only half that speed.
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These differences in speed often lead to critical situations, especially when visibility is limited by fog, rain or twilight. Added to this are the complex fairway conditions with bridge piers, groynes and changing fairways, which become additional navigation problems at low tide.
A pleasure craft that unintentionally leaves the fairway can run aground within seconds or get dangerously in the way of other road users. The high bow waves of commercial shipping further exacerbate this problem and make precise navigation a safety-relevant aspect.
The combination of radar and GPS plotter as a safety benefit
While the human eye fails after just a few metres in dense fog, the radar system reliably detects other road users and obstacles within a radius of several kilometres. The combination with GPS plotters makes it possible to superimpose the radar display directly over the electronic nautical chart and thus ensure precise positioning even without visual contact with landmarks.
The ability to avoid collisions thanks to the principle of stationary bearing is particularly helpful. If the bearing to an approaching target remains constant while the distance decreases, there is an acute risk of collision. Modern systems visualise this situation using movement vectors and enable the skipper to react in good time. During mooring manoeuvres in unfamiliar harbours, the radar provides support with precise distance measurements to quay walls and other obstacles.
Legal obligations and standards
Rule 7b of the Collision Prevention Regulations (CPR) explicitly requires that "an existing and operational radar system must be properly used", including the use of long range and systematic monitoring procedures. This legal obligation means that recreational boaters with radar equipment must not only own the system, but also use it properly.
Rule 19 of the COLREGs further tightens these requirements when visibility is reduced: vessels must determine whether a close-range situation is developing or whether there is a risk of collision. Although there is still no general obligation for recreational craft on inland waterways to be equipped with radar, professional associations and water sports organisations are increasingly recommending radar equipment for trips on busy waterways. In addition to the Rhine, this also includes heavily travelled areas such as the Moselle, Elbe and Danube.
Special seminars in radar navigation for recreational skippers are offered by various sports boat schools, clubs and boating experts. Whether you subsequently take an exam at the WSA on the simulator is up to you. It is not mandatory for recreational boaters. Nevertheless, in certain situations, such as in the event of an accident, it could be helpful to be able to prove your skills in black and white.
Pascal Schürmann
Editor YACHT
