Nearly 15% of the historic ships of the brown fleet do not have valid certificates. This is the conclusion of a study by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate. On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, a fatal accident occurred on a historic sailing ship from Harlingen when the boom broke. The ILT provides assistance in the criminal investigation of the police. Since a certificate was not in order in a previous accident in 2016, the Inspectorate has chosen to carry out a check on all ships of the same company before the police investigation is completed.
The inspection check showed that not all ships have valid certificates. These ships are therefore not allowed to sail. For the time being, a ship has been banned from sailing and the passengers were not allowed to go to the next destination.
With sector around the table
Last week, the inspectorate checked the certificates of the entire brown fleet. Owners who do not have valid certificates have received a message that they are not allowed to sail without a valid certificate. This concerns a total of 250 ships, 39 of which do not have a valid certificate. The Inspectorate monitors that these ships do not sail. If necessary, the Inspectorate will take enforcement action by imposing a sailing ban. The results are also a reason for the ILT to sit down this month with the inspection bodies, classification societies and the trade association.
CERTIFICATIONS
Ships of the brown fleet require different certificates. The main certificate is valid for five years and, if everything is in order, is issued by inspection bodies and classification societies mandated by the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management. The rigging certificate, which includes the mast, boom and ropes, is valid for 2,5 years.
In 2017, the OVV published the investigation report about an accident on the sailing ship Amicitia. In 2018, the ILT conducted an investigation at inspection bodies into their working method for carrying out safety inspections in the brown fleet and into the knowledge and skills available.
Conclusion: improvements in the working method have been initiated; In terms of knowledge, experience and attitude, inspection bodies are able to properly carry out mast and rigging inspections. In 2019, the ILT published an instruction to ensure unambiguity in the investigation for and the issue of inland navigation certificates by the classification societies and the inspection authorities. In addition, a sector standard has been drawn up together with the trade association, according to the ILT.
Photo above: Marc Venema /Shutterstock.com
