Nearly 15 percent of the historic ships of the brown fleet do not have valid certificates and are therefore not allowed to sail. In total, this concerns 39 of the 250 ships. This is the conclusion of a study by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate.
The 12-year-old Tara was on a sailing camp on the Wadden Sea with her school on August 31. On board the clipper, the boom broke off, causing the girl to be fatally injured. Last Friday, the Dutch Safety Board already reported that the accident was caused by wood rot. Tara’s parents hold the shipping company liable for the accident.
In an earlier accident in 2016, it turned out that a certificate was not in order, so the Inspectorate has chosen to carry out a check on all ships of the same company before the police investigation is completed. This showed that not all ships have valid certificates. These ships are therefore not allowed to sail at the moment.
The Inspectorate will, if necessary, take enforcement action and has for the time being issued a sailing ban on a ship. The passengers were not allowed to go to the next destination.
Certificate valid for five years
The certificates of the entire brown fleet were checked last week. Of the 250 ships in total, 39 did not have a valid certificate, those ships have been informed that they are not allowed to sail without that certificate. The results are reason for the ILT to sit down this month with the inspection bodies, classification societies and the trade association.
Ships of the brown fleet require different certificates. The main certificate is valid for five years and, if everything is in order, is issued by inspection bodies and classification societies mandated by the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management. The rigging certificate, which includes the mast, boom and ropes, is valid for 2.5 years.