Inland waterway courses
Inland waterway courses
Overview of inland waterway courses
Course Dates
Can be started at any time
Objective
The recognised training course ‘Boatman Inland Waterways’ is organised in collaboration with Brabo and is aimed at anyone who meets the minimum requirements (see below) and wants to work in inland waterways and grow to become a boatman.
Course Content
- Navigation
- Operating the vessel
- Loading and unloading
- Ship's electrics and engines
- Maintenance and repair
- Communication and management
- Safety, health and environment
- Practical module on board a training ship/traineeship/workplace learning
Duration
Pathway of 9 months in which 90 days of sailing time are accumulated and the above modules are covered. Candidates are evaluated during this trajectory during two moments. Those who pass the final evaluation receive a qualification certificate boatman.
Price
€ 1.890
Please note: Those who do not yet hold a service booklet must take a three-day basic safety training course for deckhands before starting the course (€ 400).
Prerequisites
Candidates must fulfil one of the following conditions:
- have completed 3 years of vocational training óf
- at least 5 years of work experience in any sector óf
- 500 days on board an ocean-going vessel as a deck crew member
Contact
Randi Buvens
Antwerp Maritime Academy
A: Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2030 Antwerpen
T: 0032 3 205 64 60
E: training@hzs.be
W: www.amacademy.be
Course Dates
By arrangement
Objective
The simulator training is a preparation for the practical exam ‘Conducting a journey - Boatmaster Inland Waterways’.
Course Content
Habituation and training on the exam simulator
Durations
4 hours
Price
€ 1.300
Prerequisites
No requirements
Contact
Randi Buvens
Antwerp Maritime Academy
A: Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2030 Antwerpen
T: 0032 3 205 64 60
E: training@hzs.be
W: www.amacademy.be
Course Dates
Can be started at any time
Objective
The online stability module is a preparation for the practical exam ‘Planning a journey - Boatmaster Inland Waterways’.
Course Content
Module stability
Duration
Online access for 1 month
Price
€ 160 for one month access to the online module
Prerequisites
No requirements
Contact
Randi Buvens
Antwerp Maritime Academy
A: Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2030 Antwerpen
T: 0032 3 205 64 60
E: training@hzs.be
W: www.amacademy.be
Course Dates
Can be started at any time
Objective
The recognised ‘Boatmaster Inland Waterways’ course is aimed at anyone who meets the minimum requirements (see below) and wants to work in inland waterways and advance to boatmaster.
(If there are sufficient sailing days, a candidate can register directly for the exam. More information on exam preparations can be found under ‘E-course Boatmaster inland waterways’).
Course Content
- Navigation
- Operating the vessel
- Loading and unloading
- Ship's electrics and engines
- Maintenance and repair
- Communication and management
- Safety, health and environment
- Practical module on board a training ship/traineeship/workplace learning
Duration
Pathway of 18 months in which 180 days of sailing time are accrued and the above modules are covered. Candidates are evaluated during this trajectory during four moments. Upon completion, 180 additional days of sailing time are expected before candidates can register for a final assessment. Those who pass this final assessment receive a boatmaster qualification certificate.
Price
Formula recognised inland waterways training:
Part 1: € 1.890
Part 2: € 1.890
Final assessment: € 300
Note: Those not yet in possession of a service booklet must take an additional three-day basic safety course for deckhands (€ 400).
Prerequisites
Candidates should meet at least one of the following requirements:
- have completed 3 years of vocational training óf
- at least 5 years of work experience (in any sector) óf
- 500 days on board an ocean-going vessel as a deck crew member
Contact
Randi Buvens
Antwerp Maritime Academy
A: Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2030 Antwerpen
T: 0032 3 205 64 60
E: training@hzs.be
W: www.amacademy.be
Course Dates
23-24-25 July 2025
15-16 and 18 September 2025
Objective
Organised in collaboration with Brabo and De Scheepvaartschool, this course is designed to meet the minimum requirements for deckhand certification. Those who successfully complete this course can receive an EU-certified service booklet with the certification ‘deckhand’. Note: After completing the course, a medical certificate (maximum 3 months old) is required to apply for the service booklet.
Course Content
- Use of PPE to prevent drowning
- Introduction to specific working conditions on board a ship
- Fire fighting on board
- Risks on board
- Handling hazardous substances on board a ship
- Basic First Aid
Price
€ 400
Duration
3 days
Contact
Randi Buvens
Antwerp Maritime Academy
A: Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2030 Antwerpen
T: 0032 3 205 64 60
E: training@hzs.be
W: www.amacademy.be
Course Dates
Can be started at any time
Objective
Our online Expert Passenger Navigation course is aimed at anyone wishing to be on duty on board a passenger ship and authorised to take action in emergency situations. This course is an ideal preparation for the theoretical examination.
Course Content
Trainees will have online access to the full e-learning platform:
- Safety on board
- Special provisions for passenger ships
- Communication
Price
€ 270 for three months access to the online course
Prerequisites
To participate in the online training:
No requirements
Contact
Randi Buvens
Antwerp Maritime Academy
A: Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2030 Antwerpen
T: 0032 3 205 64 60
E: training@hzs.be
W: www.amacademy.be
Course Dates
Can be started at any time
Objective
Developed in collaboration with Brabo, our online training course Boatman Inland Waterways aims to provide interested and motivated individuals with professional training that prepares them for the theoretical examination to obtain the qualification certificate Boatman.
Course Content
Trainees get online access to the full e-learning platform for three months:
- Navigation
- Operation of the vessel
- Construction and stability
- Engine and engine room
- Loading and unloading
- Safety, health and environment
- Communication
Duration
3 months, thereafter renewable on a monthly basis
Price
€ 490 for three months access to the online course
Prerequisites
To participate in our online training:
No requirements
To take part in the (external) examination:
Service booklet with Deckhand qualification certificate + 360 sailing days
Contact
Randi Buvens
Antwerp Maritime Academy
A: Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2030 Antwerpen
T: 0032 3 205 64 60
E: training@hzs.be
W: www.amacademy.be
Course Dates
Can be started at any time
Objective
Our online training programme Boatmaster Inland Waterways is aimed at boatmen or helmsmen with sufficient sailing time and is a preparation for the theoretical exam to obtain the qualification certificate Boatmaster.
For preparation for the practical exam, please refer to the ‘Simulator training’ module.
Course Content
Trainees get online access to the full e-learning platform for three months:
- Navigation
- Operating the vessel
- Loading and unloading
- Ship electricity and engines
- Maintenance and repair
- Communication
- Safety, health and environment
Duration
3 months, thereafter renewable on a monthly basis
Price
€ 490 for three months access to the online course
Prerequisites
To participate in our online training:
No requirements
To participate in the (external) examination:
Service booklet with qualification certificate boatman + 540 sailing days
Service booklet with qualification certificate helmsman + 180 sailing days
Contact
Randi Buvens
Antwerp Maritime Academy
A: Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2030 Antwerpen
T: 0032 3 205 64 60
E: training@hzs.be
W: www.amacademy.be
Objective
This course teaches you to navigate independently with radar and electronic chart according to regulations and various vessel characteristics in all common situations on inland waterways.
Course Content
- Radar theory
- Radar displays
- Regulations
- Electronic chart display (ECDIS)
- Communication skills
- Exercises on the simulator
Duration
Half a day
Price
€ 1.300
Prerequisites
To participate in the exam:
- 18 years or older
- Boatmaster qualification certificate
- Limited Certificate Radio Telephonist (VHF)
Contact
Randi Buvens
Antwerp Maritime Academy
A: Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2030 Antwerpen
T: 0032 3 205 64 60
E: training@hzs.be
W: www.amacademy.be
Course Dates
Can be started at any time
Objective
Our accredited Specifieke Vergunning Maritieme Aard course is aimed at people with a Boatmasters certificate of qualification or a boating licence B with the objective of obtaining a Specifieke Vergunning Maritieme Aard (extension to boating licence A).
We also offer online preparation for the op exam that can be taken at the Vlaamse Waterweg.
Course Content
Trainees will have online access to the full e-learning platform:
- Knowledge of charts and tides
- Knowledge of regulations
- Knowledge of SIGNI and IALA
Duration
3 months access to our online course
Price
€ 490 for three months access to the online accredited training incl. exam
€ 270 for three months access to the online course as preparation for the external exam
Prerequisites
To join the accredited online course:
- Boatmaster Qualification Certificate
- Limited Certificate of Radio Operator (VHF)
The recognised online training course ends with a knowledge test. A score of 70% must be achieved to pass the test.
Contact
Randi Buvens
Antwerp Maritime Academy
A: Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2030 Antwerpen
T: 0032 3 205 64 60
E: training@hzs.be
W: www.amacademy.be