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RMT is campaigning to resist changes being proposed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) as part of the introduction of a new National Boatmasters Licence for watermen and lightermen employed on the Thames.
The MCA, an executive agency of the Department of Transport, has been asked by the DoT to develop a new National Boatmasters Certificate for masters operating on inland waterways. The new regulations will place training and certification for non-passenger vessels in UK inland waterways under a statutory footing and RMT welcomes this.
However, by seeking to apply a uniform standard the new certificate will devalue the existing training on the Thames. Waterman on the river are currently required to undertake training in the form of examinations and practical experience lasting for five years before qualification for a full Port of London Authority (PLA) waterman and lighterman licence.
The consultation and proposals have been driven by a number of factors, the most important of these being the European Union directive on harmonising boatmasters licences.
