Large Navigation License

Two types of Inland Shipping Captain certificates exist:

Diploma Schipper Rivieren, Kanalen en Meren, RKM(Captain certificate for rivers, canals and lakes)
Diploma Schipper Alle Binnenwateren, AB(Captain certificate for all inland waters), including the IJsselmeer and Westerschelde. Both captain certificates serve as proof of competency.

This certificate can be used to eventually acquire the Large Navigation License.

The Large Navigation License also comes in two varieties:

Theoretical exams

These theoretical exams can be taken by anyone, at any time; also by invididuals without sufficient boating experience.
The 70% standard means that out of every 10 questions at least 7 must be correct to pass.
After successfully completing the first 6 theoretical exams (Regulations 2 not included) the candidate will receive the Aspiring Captain certificate. This certificate does not expire and will always be valid.

Oral (final) exams

In order to definitively acquire the Inland Shipping Captain certificate, one must also pass an oral exam.

This exam may only be taken however, once the individual has had a sufficient amount of boating experience.

A boating experience requirement of 3 years applies to the oral exam for the Inland Shipping Captain certificate.

180 sailing days will be assumed for every working year – That corresponds to 540 sailings days over 3 years.

A boating experience requirement of 360 sailing days applies to a Sailing License.

From Captain Certificate to Large Navigation License

Once one has passed all exams, one will be eligible for the Inland Shipping Captain certificate.

This is no Large Navigation License however. In order to acquire the Large Navigation License, one must: