Rules, certificates and legislation in the subject
The certificates and frameworks that belong to the boat-builder and rigger trades
A craft like this is not something you just do on a whim. Both the education itself and the work you perform are framed by rules that must ensure quality and safety. It is worth knowing the framework so you know why certain certificates are mandatory and why some tasks require special precautions.
§The education is governed by a regulation
Vocational education in maritime crafts is set out in an official regulation. It describes the education's objectives, specialisations, duration and requirements — i.e. the legal framework for what you must be able to do to become qualified. It is also here that the professional committee for the area has set the direction for the content.
§Statutory safety courses
Before you really begin the main course, you should usually have acquired a number of legally required certificates, typically already during the basic course. They are about the hazards associated with this particular trade — heat, chemistry and fire. They are there for your own and your colleagues' safety.
- 01Proof of safety in welding and thermal cutting
- 02First aid certificate at an appropriate level
- 03Basic fire fighting.
- 04Safety when working with epoxy and isocyanates
- 05Safety when working with polyester and casting
Certificates on epoxy, isocyanates and polyester are especially important in boatbuilding, where you work with fibreglass and composite materials. These materials are strong and indispensable, but they can be harmful to health if handled incorrectly — that is why the law requires you to be trained in handling them.
§Rules on materials and environment
When you work with chemical products there are rules about extraction protective equipment and disposal. You must be able to read a safety data sheet and know how a substance should be stored used and disposed of. It is part of the craft to have control of it – not a side story.
§Keep up to date
Rules, decrees and evidence requirements can change over time. The specific requirements for your course are set by your school and the trade committee, and current rules can be found on official education and authority websites. Use them as sources rather than loose rumours – in a subject with chemicals and heavy materials it matters.
“The certificates are not bureaucracy for its own sake — they are what allows you to work with heat and chemicals without injuring yourself.”