The courses to become 2nd class recreational navigation officers – skippers, in essence – which should already be well under way, continue to fall behind schedule and fail to start. The reason, this time, is surprising. The “blame,” in fact, lies with a position of the Ministry of Health, which has been holding back courses for the simplified professional title for months. Saverio Cecchi, president of Confindustria Nautica, has launched a direct accusation to the Ministry of Health to try to unblock the situation. Here is what is happening.

The course that stops everything

The issue concerns the inability to access First Aid courses for those who aspire to become Recreational Navigation Officers 2nd Class., a new professional figure introduced this year.

This blockade prevents one of the qualifications required to take the exams at the Port Authorities, effectively hindering the entire process. After years of waiting, a law has finally been passed that makes a clear distinction between pleasure boats and merchant vessels, establishing that specific qualifications are required to operate the former in the charter sector.

Recreational Navigation Officer 2nd Class

Thus, the figure of the professional skipper(2nd class Recreational Navigation Officer) was created, separate from the merchant navy commander. In order to become a professional skipper, it is necessary to pass various examinations at the Harbour Master’s Offices and to take training courses on topics such as firefighting, survival and rescue, personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR), as well as first medical aid. These courses were previously reserved for “Gente di Mare” seafarers, but the Ministry of Infrastructure has authorized new aspiring skippers to participate as well.

However, the “medical first aid” course still requires approval from the Ministry of Health, a clearance that has long been requested but continues not to arrive, stalling the entire law and leaving thousands of candidates ready to embark on a new career.

A problem of incapacity or negligence?

Barche a Motore magazine has already denounced this irresponsible behavior by officials at the Ministry of Health. Now, Confindustria Nautica also joins the chorus of criticism of a dicastery that is obstructing the introduction of the new professional title for skipper. It remains to be seen whether this is a conscious choice or simply a lack of attention.

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