Elevating and Retractable Wheelhouse Inspections

According to (European) regulations (ES-TRIN 2025/1) (implemented as per 1-1-2026) Elevating and retractable wheelhouses and their appliances shall be inspected regularly, but at least once every twelve months, by a competent person. The safety of the installation is to be established by a visual check and a check on satisfactory operation. (Article 7.12.12 and Article 7.14.8 ES-TRIN 2025/1).

IVR, together with affiliated experts, inspectors, and wheelhouse manufacturers, has drawn up a harmonized verification list to ensure that all inspections are conducted with the same high standard.

IVR issues a certificate after a successful inspection. When the certificate is due for renewal, the skipper/owner must contact a wheelhouse inspection company affiliated with IVR. Once the inspection of the elevating and retractable wheelhouse has been conducted, the completed checklist is sent to IVR. If all the requirements on the verification list have been met, IVR will issue a certificate. This certificate is sent to the wheelhouse inspection company. The wheelhouse inspection company affiliated with IVR then ensures that the certificate is issued to the ship owner/ship. This allows for third parties to be demonstrated that an expert has conducted the legally required inspection.

  No infringement on the existing cooperation/relationship between shipowner and wheelhouse manufacturer.

  An “Open System”: Any wheelhouse manufacturer/supplier can join if the company meets the set criteria.

The shipowner receives a high-quality and reliable inspection and therefore greater certainty that his/her elevating and retractable wheelhouse is demonstrably in good condition and meets the set requirements.

The shipowner knows that the wheelhouse inspector is audited every two years by an independent and neutral organisation.

The shipowner knows that the certificate is issued by an independent and neutral organisation.

In this way, the system contributes to safer and less prone to damage inland navigation.

Request for inspection of an elevating and retractable wheelhouse from the owner to the inspection company affiliated with IVR.

Inspection of the elevating and retractable wheelhouse in accordance with the applicable regulations.

Inspection company sends verification list to IVR with a request for a certificate.

IVR checks the verification list, and the ship and owner details.

If all criteria are met, a certified IVR certificate is sent.

The European Standard laying down Technical Requirements for Inland Navigation vessels (ES-TRIN 2025/1) states that elevating and retractable wheelhouses must be inspected annually by an expert, as stated in ES-TRIN Article 7.12(12) and Article 7.14(8). Chapter 7 contains all the applicable regulations to which the wheelhouse must comply. 

To continue to guarantee the quality of the inspections of elevating and retractable wheelhouses, IVR conducts biennial audits of the affiliated companies and regularly organizes evaluation sessions and courses for the parties involved.

Collisions with bridges occur with some regularity. In some cases, the mechanism of an elevating and retractable wheelhouse plays a role in this. To limit these risks, the authorities have made periodic inspections mandatory and laid this down in legislation and regulations.

Any manufacturer or repair company of elevating and retractable wheelhouses can register with IVR as an inspection body. To be approved by IVR, the company must meet the specified quality criteria.

These quality criteria, which were drawn up in consultation with elevating and retractable wheelhouse inspection companies, include:

•             Admission/continuation audit (once every 2 years)

•             Organization and technology

•             Staff qualifications, training, etc.

•             Administrative requirements

Affiliated companies are listed on the IVR website with their logo and contact details.