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This Bulletin replaces Ship Safety Bulletin No. 01/2007.
This bulletin explains Transport Canada’s (TC) policy regarding required training in Marine Emergency Duties (MED) with respect to basic safety and on-board familiarization and safety training for masters and crew members working on small vessels as stipulated in section 205 of the Marine Personnel Regulations (MPR). Through this Bulletin, TC is maintaining an enforcement deadline of April 1, 2008 for masters and crew members who have not taken the mandatory MED basic safety training related to their duties on board small vessels.
In 1997, TC amended the Crewing Regulations to make MED courses mandatory for fish harvesters by July 30, 2000. In recognition of the scope of implementation, TC initially extended this date to July 30, 2002. As a result of concerns expressed by fish harvesters and training institutions in meeting this deadline, on November 6, 2002, TC further extended the deadline to require all fish harvesters to register for their course before July 30, 2003, with all training to be completed by April 1, 2007.
It is recognized that the fishing industry has put considerable effort in trying to get fish harvesters trained in the past number of years.
To allow those remaining to receive the mandatory training, the industry has asked TC to consider granting an extension on the basis that those who have not received the training would be allowed to work on ships if they are registered for the mandatory training at an approved institution by April 1, 2008.
The MED training is designed to enhance the basic safety awareness of a ship’s complement. These courses train seafarers in the principles of basic safety at sea such as emergency response to first aid, fire and abandon ship situations. MED training has been required on large commercial vessels since the late 1970’s.
On July 1st 2007 Canada Shipping Act, 2001 came into force and various levels of basic safety training and their applications are now specified in the MPR, section 205.
Any person assigned a function on a vessel shall receive the on-board familiarization and safety training set out in TP 4957 - Marine Emergency Duties Training Courses, before starting to fulfill any duty on the vessel. In addition, every member of the complement, who is required to be on board in order for the vessel to meet the safe manning requirements, shall have appropriate MED training with respect to basic safety.
Through this bulletin, TC is adopting the following policy:
1. Marine Personnel Regulations
2. Crewing Regulations
3. Basic Safety Training
4. MED
5. Small commercial vessels
6. Small fishing vessels