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Chapter 3
Vessel Crewing and Operator Certification
Seafarers are responsible for the safe operation of the vessel and to
be prepared for any emergency situation that may arise. The lives of those
on board depend upon seafarers knowing their responsibilities, the safety
procedure to be followed, and how to respond effectively and quickly in
an emergency situation. Proper vessel crewing, training, and certification
of seafarers are the highest priority in ship safety.
The Crewing
Regulations state the minimum crewing requirements and crew certification
and training needs. The size, configuration, propulsion horsepower, area
of operation, and type of operation of your vessel will determine which
aspect of the regulations will apply.
The minimum number of seafarers that can safely handle the following
emergency situations simultaneously determines crew size:
- Safely launch survival craft (generally one qualified person for each
required life raft).
- Handle fire-extinguishing equipment at any one location on the ship
and operate the ship’s pumping and emergency power system.
- Keep a continuous watch when at sea on the frequency 2182 kHz (MF)
or 156.8 MHz (VHF) Channel 16, or both by a qualified operator.
- Maintain a deck watch while under way or under certain circumstances;
for example, when passengers are on board, while securely anchored or
moored.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNER AND MASTER
^
The owner of a vessel must provide the master with written instructions
that set out the policies and procedures to be followed to ensure that
the crew is familiar with the vessel and their duties and that they can
effectively co-ordinate their activities when performing roles vital to
safety and pollution prevention.
It is the responsibility of the master to ensure the crew is trained
and able to effectively carry out these policies and procedures.
The owner and master are responsible for ensuring their crew meets competency
and certification requirements.
You should consult with the local Transport Canada Centre for details
on crewing requirements and certification of your particular vessel (see
Appendix 2).
CREW SIZE ^
Every vessel in Canada must have a sufficient number of seafarers to
efficiently perform the tasks and functions necessary for safety of life
for the purpose of the vessel’s intended voyage. Vessel configuration,
type and location of emergency equipment, and area and type of operation
are all factors in crew size evaluation.
To learn the crewing requirements for your particular vessel, contact
the nearest Transport Canada Centre (see Appendix
2).
CERTIFICATION ^
For all vessels over 10 tons and for passenger vessels exceeding 5 tons,
a certificated master must be employed and on board when the vessel is
engaged on a voyage. If your vessel is over 5 tons, carries one or more
passengers and has a propulsion power of over 75 kW (100.6 hp), an engineer
is required (see Table 3-1).
DUAL CAPACITY MASTER AND ENGINEER ^
No person is permitted to act in the dual capacity of master and engineer
on a ship that exceeds 20 metres in registered length. If your ship is
less than 20 metres in length, a person holding a Master’s Certificate
and an Engineer’s Certificate appropriate to the power rating of
the main engines can act in a dual capacity provided:
- The engine is installed so that it can be controlled from the helm;
- Engine problems can be easily detected; and
- Repair is possible while keeping navigational lookout.
At least one crew member, 18 years of age or over, must be on board to
render assistance, unless the vessel is only operated in calm water and
the person acting in dual capacity can single-handedly rescue a person
overboard, and is capable of efficiently launching survival craft and
handling other appropriate life saving equipment.
INSPECTION OF SEAFARER PROFICIENCY ^
Knowledge of safety procedures and the efficient and proper use of safety
equipment is essential to ensuring the safety of your vessel, crew, and
passengers. The lives of others depend upon the correct emergency response
in a distress situation.
Transport Canada inspectors are required to assess the ability of crews
to respond correctly in distress situations. For the person in charge
of a passenger vessel less than 5 tons or a non-passenger vessel less
than 10 tons, the Marine Safety inspector will ask questions related to
safety, emergency and survival procedures, and may require a test voyage,
as deemed necessary for evaluation. The operator will be expected to be
familiar with the navigation rules, local conditions and hazards, operation
of the vessel, use of safety equipment, specific operational and emergency
procedures, and other safety-related roles and responsibilities.
MASTERS CERTIFICATION ^
Where a small commercial vessel requires a master on board, the master
must hold a valid Master’s Certificate appropriate for the vessel
and its area of service.
Every applicant for a Limited Master Certificate must pass oral, practical,
and written examinations on subject matter appropriate to the area of
operation and the type of ship to which the certificate relates. Please
consult the nearest Transport Canada Marine Safety office to determine
the requirements, based on vessel size and operation and voyage particulars,
that apply in your case. Applicants for a certificate as Limited Master
on a small commercial vessel up to 60 gross tons must complete the following:
- Two months service on a ship of similar tonnage and engaged on similar
voyages to the ship for which the certificate is sought.
- Medical Certificate prescribed by the Crewing
Regulations of the Canada
Shipping Act.
- a. Passenger vessels: Certificate of completion for Marine Emergency
Duties for Small Vessel Safety; or
b. Non-passenger vessels: Certificate of completion for Marine Emergency
Duties Basic Safety of the Marine Emergency Duties Course or pass a
practical examination using the ship’s equipment for marine emergencies
and answer questions relating to Basic Safety of the Marine Emergency
Duties Course.
- Marine First Aid Basic Certificate.
- Examination.
A certificate as Limited Master is valid for a period of five years beginning
on the date on which it is issued and only within the voyage area and
on the ship or sister ship specified on the certificate.
RESTRICTED ENGINEER ^
Every applicant for a Restricted Engineer, Motor Ship Certificate must
pass an oral examination on the required engineering knowledge of motor
ships.
The oral examination for restricted engineer will cover topics that relate
to the vessel specified on the certificate. Topics may include but are
not limited to the following:
- General principles of operation and maintenance of the machinery fitted
in the ship.
- Elementary principles of gasoline or diesel ignition systems where
gasoline or diesel engines are fitted.
- Operation of wet batteries.
- Charging and operation of fire extinguishers; use of fire hoses and
nozzles.
- General precautions to be taken against the risk of fire.
- General principles of operation of heating boilers, where fitted.
- The dangers associated with the use of gasoline or diesel fuel in
ships.
- Emergency stations, mustering passengers, alarms, procedures.
- Operation of life saving appliances, including methods and location
of stowage.
- Pollution prevention and protection of the environment.
In addition, the applicant must provide the examiner with a certificate
showing the successful completion of a course in Marine Emergency Duties
with respect to small vessel safety from a recognized institution. Alternatively,
the applicant must pass a practical examination on Marine Emergency Duties
with respect to small vessel safety, using the ship’s equipment for
marine emergencies, and successfully complete an oral examination on that
subject.
A Restricted Engineer, Motor Ship certificate issued by Transport Canada
is valid for a period of five years beginning on the date on which it
is issued and is valid only with respect to the voyage and ship specified
in the certificate. To remain valid after five years, a certificate must
be accompanied by a corresponding Continued Proficiency Certificate.
Radio Certification Requirements
The Crewing
Regulations require that persons in charge of a radio watch onboard
a ship required to be fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) or INMARSAT
equipment hold, at a minimum, a Radio Operator’s Certificate Maritime
Commercial (ROC-MC). This includes all ships required to fit VHF-DSC equipment
on August 1, 2003. Due to the large numbers of vessels that will be fitted
with this equipment, ship owners and operators are encouraged to enroll
in an approved ROC-MC course well in advance of this date. Vessels equipped
with non-DSC or INMARSAT equipment require an operator holding at minimum
a Radio Operator’s Certificate – Marine (ROC-M).
TABLE 3-1 CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL VESSELS ^
view table
MARINE EMERGENCY DUTIES (MED) ^
Before completing six months cummulative sea time, every crewmember must
obtain a Marine Emergency Duties (MED) certificate in basic safety at
a recognized institution. MED training covers emergency response to first
aid, fire, and abandon ship situations.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING
^
Every vessel owner and master must provide information, instruction,
training, and supervision as necessary to protect the health and safety
of crewmembers. This includes training related to the safety policy and
procedures of a vessel. Employees must be made aware of foreseeable hazards
and the precautions they should take to avoid accidents and injury.
MORE INFORMATION ^
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