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Background
In May 2006, certification requirements for Ship Security Officers (SSOs) (known as Vessel Security Officers (VSOs)
in Canada) were adopted at the 81st IMO Maritime Safety Committee meeting. These requirements state that
starting January 1, 2008, SSOs from contracting states will require a Certificate of Proficiency.
Amendments reflecting this new international obligation to the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR)
are currently in the last stages of being finalized. The implementation of these new amendments will entail a new
recognition program for training institutes based on approved SSO training.
The Proposed Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Officer Training should not be confused with the
Transport Canada Recognition Program for Marine Security Training Programs/Courses which is a voluntary program that has been in place since 2003. The latter
program aims to ensure that officer level marine security training programs and courses offered by various providers
meet the course content requirements as called for in the MTSR and the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS)
Code. The Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Officer Training (herein referred to as the “new
proposed program”) is a linked but separate program.
All institutes that wish to be recognized (in order for their graduates to receive a Certificate of Proficiency) for SSO
training would submit all information via the new proposed program. Institutes that wish to be recognized voluntarily
for all other officer training would submit information to the Transport Canada Recognition Program for Marine Security Training
Programs/Courses.
All individuals that wish to receive a Certificate of Proficiency for SSO training must successfully complete their
training in an Institute that has been granted recognition status through the new proposed program.
Individuals who have successfully completed SSO training before January 1, 2008 at a TC Recognized Institution,
through the voluntary recognition program, may use their previously issued training certificates as proof of the
qualification until they obtain a Certificate of Proficiency. This grandfather clause will end July 1, 2009.
On October 5, 2007, an email was sent from the Director, Marine Security Operations, forwarding three (3)
documents on the proposed program. These documents are:
- Recognition Procedures [for the guidance of the Marine Training Institutions]
- Submission Requirements and Course / Program Standards [for the guidance of the Marine Training
Institutes]
- Certification Procedures [for the guidance of the SSO Graduates as well as the Marine Training Institutes]
Status
Input on the above-mentioned documents from training institutes is being
sought in order to finalize the framework of the program. Comments and /or
questions may be sent to Marine Security Operations (contact information provided below).
In parallel, Marine Security is working closely with Marine Safety to determine how, and to what extent, the Marine
Safety’s existing certification system and processes can be leveraged to simplify and streamline the process for the
maritime community.
For any questions and /or comments on the content of this backgrounder, please contact:
Mr. Daniel Michaud, A/Director, Operations,
(at Michaud@tc.gc.ca or by telephone at 613-993-8525) or,
Mr. Ibrahima Sow
(at sowi@tc.gc.ca or by telephone at 613-990-1338).
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