It was supposed to be the tool to make everything easier. To make the procedures for registration, transfer, variations there boat contracts (and much more) streamlined, just like in the car world. Instead, using the STED (telematics window for boaters) is made even more complex by a 37-page bureaucratic vademecum.
Here is Luigi Gallerani’s report.
STED Vademecum
In December 2020, we had told you in this article about the new features concerning the telematics window for boaters, or STED, introduced in the new Boating Code. Now a new version of the STED Vademecum updated to January 2021 is out. Hoping to find great news and due updates, we rushed to read it but it does not appear that the new legal provisions are covered in the text… Will it be telematic success or bureaucratic flop?
An updated version of the downloadable STED Vademecum in pdf format has appeared on the Motorist Portal, with “version 01 January 2021” written in red letters in the title. Having talked about it just a month ago, we were intrigued by this update, but it left us with quite a few doubts.
WHAT IS THE CYBER COUNTER VADEMECUM
Before going into the substance, let us explain what the STED Vademecum is. It is a pdf document, which should help the shipowner or a company, to interact with the telematics window. Summarizes the documents and revenue stamps to be prepared for each procedure involved, such as registration of a recreational boat or vessel, variations and assignments of finance lease contracts, issuance of radiotelephone apparatus operating license, transfers of ownership, renewal of safety certificates, issuance of duplicates etc etc.
WHERE TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW VERSION
Going to the Motorist Portal, from the menu Vehicles->STED leads to this page where there is only one link with the downloadable STED Vademecum pdf.
WHAT THE STED VADEMECUM LOOKS LIKE
Despite its intentions to simplify life and guide the user through the maze of Italian bureaucracy, the STED vademecum, is a kind of ode to the same; 37 pages in which there is extensive use of paragraphs with about ten numbered bullet points, about twenty sub-points and the ever-ending “NB: NotaBene” additions. With horizontal cut, titles in red underlined all caps, bold italics galore, and trees of numbered lists and bulleted sublists, it is not the easiest to read, but in deference to those who undertook to write it, it is detailed and seems complete.
WHAT WE EXPECTED FROM THE NEW VERSION
Unfortunately, it is not indicated what has changed from the past, and it is not possible to download the previous version. However, going to review point 4 of our of our December article, we expected clear references to the new legislation, in particular we were confirmed that
“….In the old code, some procedures related to the issuance of the provisional navigation license were not covered in the context of those that could be done electronically, that is, they had remained paper-based. With the corrective measure, by going to the telematics counter, the shipowner can now obtain a provisional license, and with that already make the crew boarding and VHF equipment license, thus being able to sail immediately….“
WHAT WE DIDN’T FIND
We therefore expected the new January 2021 version of the STED Vademecum to mention at least once, for clarity, the new boating code by making explicit its approval date December 22, 2020. But of this date, not even a shadow.
Date aside, we were particularly interested in the discussion regarding the procedures that can be carried out under provisional leave to … sail right away! The word “provisional license,” appears in multiple contexts. Indeed, procedures for the “provisional navigation license” are mentioned, but also those for the “final and provisional license to operate the VHF equipment installed on board.”
Never, as we expected, is explicit mention made in the paragraph on crew roster and VHF apparatus license issuance that these procedures can be initiated when only the “provisional sailing license” is present.
CONCLUSION? MYSTERY!
So? Mystery. To be honest, we didn’t understand whether the new version of the STED Vademecum includes or sub-understands what the new boating code requires. We certainly guessed it is easier to sail on shallow waters than to navigate the bureaucratic procedures of the telematics counter, even with the vademecum…
If any readers have already had a chance to interact with the new version of STED… please let us know as soon as possible with a comment or email to speciali@panamaeditore.it
Luigi Gallerani
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