The study aimed at elaborating a training plan and a certification system for the crews operating in the Douro River navigation, led by APDL (the Management Authority of Port of Leixões which is charged of the navigation system), considering the implementation of the safety and rescue system for the Douro navigation. The methodology developed by the Quaternaire Portugal's team and by the vast group of experts involved in the study encompassed a deep and diversified work with the system of actors engaged in the river navigation operation, including maritime authorities, the civil protection operators, the locks operators, the firefighters, the maritime and touristic private firms operating in the river and other users. The work with the actors system has identified the main risks associated to the safety and rescue operations, defined the typic jobs involved, identified the competences and training needs for the professionals engaged in the several operations and activities and elaborated a multi-year training plan to tackle these competences needs.

In paralel, it has been elaborated a certification plan for the crews. In methodological terms, the work developed in collaboration with Guy Le Boterf the identification of the collective competences required by the good performance of the safety and rescue system and a proposal of training actions in that field.