Behördenschifferzeugnis

The Behördenschifferzeugnis is a German certificate of competence for the operation of vessels used by public authorities on inland waterways. It certifies that the holder is qualified to navigate official vessels in accordance with inland navigation regulations.

Legal basis

The legal basis of the Behördenschifferzeugnis is provided by the German Binnenschiffspersonalverordnung (BinSchPersV), which regulates the qualifications required for inland navigation personnel.

Within this framework, special provisions exist for vessels operated by public authorities, allowing for specific certificates of competence adapted to official operational requirements.

Scope

The Behördenschifferzeugnis applies to vessels operated by public authorities on inland waterways. These vessels may include:

• waterway administration vessels
• police vessels
• customs vessels
• rescue and emergency vessels

The certificate is generally limited to official service and does not automatically grant permission to operate commercial or recreational vessels.

Requirements

Applicants for the Behördenschifferzeugnis must demonstrate:

• knowledge of inland navigation regulations
• competence in vessel handling
• practical experience in inland navigation
• familiarity with the operational requirements of official vessels

Additional requirements may be defined by the issuing authority and may include internal training programs.

Examination

The examination requirements are defined by the competent authorities and generally include:

• inland navigation law
• vessel handling and manoeuvring
• safety procedures

Assessment may be conducted through formal examinations or recognized training within the authority.

Administration

The Behördenschifferzeugnis is issued under the authority of the German inland navigation administration, often in cooperation with the respective public authority employing the operator.

Certification procedures follow the provisions of inland navigation personnel regulations.

Position in the German certification system

The Behördenschifferzeugnis occupies a specialized position within the German inland navigation qualification system. It is distinct from general recreational licences such as the Sportbootführerschein Binnen and from commercial certificates of competence.

It is specifically intended for operators of official vessels and reflects the particular operational and legal framework of public service navigation.

Relation to Behördenpatent

The Behördenschifferzeugnis is closely related to the Behördenpatent. Both certificates apply to the operation of official vessels, but differ in their regulatory classification and scope depending on the applicable provisions.

See also

• Nautical certificates of competency in Germany for commercial inland and seagoing navigation