Article 17U.K.Assessment of competences
1.The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 31 to supplement this Directive by laying down the standards for competences and corresponding knowledge and skills in compliance with the essential requirements set out in Annex II.
2.Member States shall ensure that persons who apply for the documents referred to in Articles 4, 5 and 6 demonstrate, where applicable, that they meet the standards of competence referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article by passing an examination that was organised:
(a)under the responsibility of an administrative authority in accordance with Article 18 or;
(b)as part of a training programme approved in accordance with Article 19.
3.The demonstration of compliance with the standards of competence shall include a practical examination for obtaining:
(a)a Union certificate of qualification as a boatmaster;
(b)a specific authorisation for sailing with the aid of radar as referred to in point (c) of Article 6;
(c)a Union certificate of qualification as a liquefied natural gas expert;
(d)a Union certificate of qualification as a passenger navigation expert.
To obtain the documents referred to in points (a) and (b) of this paragraph, practical examinations may take place on board a craft or on a simulator that complies with Article 21. For points (c) and (d) of this paragraph, practical examinations may take place on board a craft or at an appropriate onshore installation.
4.The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 31 to supplement this Directive by laying down standards for the practical examinations referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, specifying the specific competences and the conditions to be tested during the practical examinations, as well as the minimum requirements for the craft on which a practical examination may be taken.