4. Please describe how you are connected to the German flag.

In accordance with the German Maritime Labour Act, we are the responsible organisation for maritime training. This means, we are also responsible for the approval of ships as training places. The apprenticeship as a ship's mechanic has to occur on board merchant ships flying the German or a European flag, in accordance with Maritime Vocational Training Ordinance (See-BAV). We work closely together with the German Flag State Authorities to implement training standards and continuously improve them.