Recently, the national enforcement action for inland shipping Safety First! took place. During this action, held from March 10 to 16, 2025, professional skippers were given guidance by mobile traffic controllers from Rijkswaterstaat.
Together with inspectors from the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT), a total of 115 ships were checked for safety issues.
Of the inspected ships, 46 received a warning and administrative fines were imposed in 7 cases. This year, approximately 30 more ships were inspected than in 2024, when 87 ships were checked during a similar action. Of those, 34 received a warning and 7 sanctions were imposed.
Common Violations
The inspections focused mainly on violations that pose a direct risk to water safety. In about 25% of cases, the logbook was not filled in correctly. This included incomplete or incorrect registration of crew qualifications, crew strength, start and continuation of the voyage, and rest times.
In addition, for various ships (about 25%), safety measures were not fully in order, such as missing life jackets, lifebuoys, fire extinguishers, and insulating mats.
Education as an Essential Component
In addition to inspection, education played an important role during this action. Skippers were given explanations about the regulations and practical advice to improve safety on board.
Not only were obligations pointed out, but also the importance of a safe working environment for themselves and their crew. This personal approach allowed Rijkswaterstaat to respond directly to questions and uncertainties among the skippers.
Continued Attention to Safety
We play an important role as hosts on the water. This means that not only compliance with the rules is monitored, but also that skippers are actively supported in a safe and smooth passage. The results of this action show that improvements are still needed. Therefore, Rijkswaterstaat, together with ILT, continues to inspect and educate.