The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) increases the maximum certificate term for small floating equipment from 7 to 10 years. The risk profile of small floating equipment is low. Increasing the maximum certificate period to 10 years is therefore justified and provides room to focus inspection capacity on vessels with a higher risk profile.
The certificate term for small floating equipment (certified according to Article 3.4, paragraph 3, part i of the Inland Navigation Regulation) is determined based on periodic inspection. If this inspection shows that the status of the vessel is good and there is no impediment to issuing a certificate for 10 years, this term will be applied.
Advantage
From industry associations, there has been a request to increase the maximum certificate period for small floating equipment such as mowing boats, coupling pontoons, and pontoons with cranes to 10 years. This benefits shipowners, as they may need to conduct mandatory inspections less frequently. Given the low risk profile of these vessels, this will not compromise safety on the water. The certificate period is determined based on periodic inspection.
Leisure Vessels
For leisure vessels, the maximum certificate term remains at 7 years, as this fits the risk profile of these vessels. In practice, significant defects are found in 1 in 3 major inspections. Also, good maintenance is not self-evident for all leisure vessels, and an unknown number of these vessels are commercially used as passenger ships with a maximum of 12 passengers. This means that increasing the certificate term is not desirable.
