Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

Designation of occupation

Inland bargeman
Recognised by ordinance of 20 January 2005 (BGBl. I p. 121)

Duration of traineeship

3 years
The venues for training are on board inland waterway craft and at part-time vocational school (Berufsschule).

Field of activity

Inland bargemen transport goods and passengers on European waterways, lakes and in ports. They work on different inland waterway craft, such as dry-cargo vessels, tankers, pusher units, excursion and cabin craft, ferries, special craft and floating devices in all areas: on deck, in the engine room and at the controls.

Occupational skills

Inland bargemen

• assist in the navigation of inland waterway craft
• observe the construction of the craft and the interaction of the different functions on board 
• operate and monitor the mechanical, electrical and electronic units
• observe the particularities of the traffic routes in the European waterways network
• observe fairway signs and traffic regulations on waterways
• make preparations for wharfage and monitor the handling of goods, taking into account the nautical requirements and the construction of the craft
• assist in the transportation of passengers on passenger craft
• assist in the planning of logistical processes
• maintain and service craft and their technical equipment
• identify operational faults and take measures to rectify them
• take measures when accidents occur, and to extinguish fires
• rescue persons who have been involved in accidents, and provide first aid.

Last modified on: December 12, 2006