As a Matrose, you will need to master following:

• adhere to traffic regulations on inland waterways
• adjust weight of cargo to capacity of freight transport vehicles
• anchors used in inland water transport
• apply regulations on cargo transport operations
• assess stability of vessels
• assess trim of vessels
• assist anchoring operations
• assist passenger embarkation
• clean parts of vessels
• communicate reports provided by passengers
• ensure integrity of hull
• environmental aspects of inland waterway transportation
• european classification of inland waterways
• facilitate safe disembarkation of passengers
• help to control passenger behaviour during emergency situations
• influence of winds and currents in the steering of ships
• inland waterway police regulations
• launch lifeboats
• load cargo onto ships
• maintain ropes
• maintain service record book
• maintain vessel engine room
• navigate European inland waterways
• obtain information on various nautical subjects
• on board hazards
• operate life-saving appliances
• paint ship decks
• passenger transport regulations
• perform daily maintenance on ship machinery
• perform vessel maintenance and cleaning
• prepare engine room for operation
• read stowage plans
• secure cargo in stowage
• secure ships using rope
• steer ship in compliance with helm orders
• steer vessels
• swim
• types of cargo
• understand different types of locks and their operation
• undertake navigation safety actions
• unmoor vessels
• use ballasts
• use equipment for safe stowage
• use modern electronic navigational aids
• use riverspeak to communicate
• use waterway traffic control systems;
• vessel safety equipment

More generally, a matrose is also versed in:

• comply with checklists
• execute safety assurance exercises
• follow procedures in the event of an alarm
• follow verbal instructions
• follow written instructions
• international regulations for cargo handling
• maintain vessel technical equipment according to instructions
• moor vessels
• national regulations on handling cargo
• operate marine communication systems
• principles of combustion engines
• provide first aid
• use different types of fire extinguishers

It also helps to know the following:

• act as a watchstander
• distinguish various types of ships
• ensure vessel compliance with regulations
• inland waterway ship building
• operate vessel engine room
• perform manual work autonomously
• physical parts of the vessel
• prepare simple meals on board
• prevent damage to electrical devices on board
• vessel fuels
• vessel stability principles
• act reliably
• engine components
• implement environmental protection measures
• perform services in a flexible manner
• principles of mechanical engineering
• show confidence
• show intercultural awareness
• use different communication channels