Home » Small Commercial Boating (MED A1,2,3, SVOP)

Small Commercial Boating (MED A1,2,3, SVOP)

Please note that a Candidate Document Number (CDN) is now a requirement by Transport Canada prior to issuing training certificates. Please refer to Transport Canada’s Ship Safety Bulletin (SSB) # 05/2010.
For additional details, including information on how to obtain a CDN, please refer to our FAQ Section.

MED A1 (Basic Safety for Small Commercial Vessels)

This course is designed to provide new entrants to the marine industry a basic understanding of the
hazards associated with the marine environment and their own vessel. Topics include marine hazards
and emergencies, fire and abandonment situations, survival and rescue skills.

Course Code: MARI0011
Prerequisite: Medical Fitness Report, CDN Number
Course Length: 3 days (19.5 hours)
Course Hours: 0800 to 1630
Course Fee: $625.00

  • Port Colborne Apr 2 – Apr 4/12  M – W
  • Port Colborne June 4 – June 6/12  M – W
  • Port Colborne Aug 6 – Aug 8/12  M – W

MED A2 (Basic Safety for Passenger Vessels)

Recommended for officers and crews of small commercial passenger vessels and pleasure craft operators. Topics covered include marine hazards and emergencies, emergency preparedness and response,fighting shipboard fires, sea survival, distress signals, inspection and maintenance of emergency equipment and passenger control.

Course Code: MARI0016
Prerequisite: Medical Fitness Report, CDN Number
Course Length: 4 days (26 hours)
Course Hours: 0800 to 1630
Course Fee: $755.00

  • Port Colborne Apr 2 – Apr 5/12  M – Th
  • Port Colborne June 4 – June 7/12  M – Th
  • Port Colborne Aug 6 – Aug 9/12  M – Th

 


MED A3 — Small Non-Pleasure Vessel Basic Safety

The MED A3 course is in lieu of the MED A1 course for crew members of small non-pleasure vessels less than 150 gross tons, including fishing vessels operating not more than 25 miles offshore and passenger vessels, not including ferries, with unberthed accommodations, only on Near Coastal 2 and sheltered waters.

At course completion, participants will possess the basic skills to enable the mariner to successfully succeed in the marine environment. Topics covered include marine hazards and emergencies, marine fire fighting, lifesaving appliances and abandonment,survival and rescue skills.

Transport Canada Marine Safety may accept a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) for crew members in the following categories:

  • Passenger carrying vessels less than 8m and with fewer than 6 passengers sailing in sheltered waters.
  • Workboats (except tugs) less than 8m sailing not more than 2 Nm from shore and/or in sheltered waters.
  • Fishing vessels less than 15 GT sailing not more than 2 Nm from shore and/or in sheltered waters.

With a minimum enrollment, additional courses can be scheduled at a location and time suitable for attendees.

Please call 1-866-468-3225 to discuss this option.

Course Code: MARI0029
Prerequisite: CDN Number (NEW!)
Course Length: 1 day (8 hours)
Course Hours: 0830 to 1700
Course Fee: $235.00

MED A3 course dates:

      • Parry Sound Apr 16/12  M
      • London Apr 23/12 M
      • Orillia May 14/12 M
      • Oakville June 4/12 M

Small Commercial Vessel Operator Proficiency Training Course (SVOP)

In accordance with the Canada Shipping Act all commercial and fishing vessels, regardless of length, must have a certified master on board. A holder of a Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Training certificate can operate certain small commercial vessels and in some cases a Pleasure Craft Operator Card will be accepted by Transport Canada Marine Safety.

The SVOP course has been tailored to meet the training needs of the small vessel master and is accepted in lieu of a master’s certificate. Topics include stability, collision regulations, chartwork and pilotage, shipboard safety, pollution prevention, meteorology, Canadian buoyage system, radar, and the use of marine charts to execute a voyage.

The course is all classroom instruction with no practical boating exercises. If you require an on-board training course, we offer a two-day practical boating course that can be customized to meet your specific needs.

The SVOP course is for operators of small commercial vessels other than tugs and fishing vessels:

      • Less than 5 GT engaged on sheltered waters or Near Coastal 2 voyages (not more than 25 nautical miles from shore)
      • Fishing vessels less than 15 GT or 12m overall length operating not more than 25 miles offshore engaged on sheltered waters or Near Coastal 2 voyages

Note: Transport Canada Marine Safety may accept a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) for masters in the following categories:

  • Passenger carrying vessels less than 8m and with fewer than 6 passengers sailing in sheltered waters.
  • Workboats (except tugs) less than 8m sailing not more than 2 Nm from shore and/or in sheltered waters.
  • Fishing vessels less than 15 GT sailing not more than 2 Nm from shore and/or in sheltered waters.

Course Code: MARI0079
Prerequisite: CDN Number (NEW!)
Course Length: 4 days (26 hours)
Course Fee: $585.00

Course Dates:

      • Parry Sound Apr 17 – Apr 20/12  Tu – F
      • London Apr 24 – Apr 27/12  Tu -F
      • Orillia May 15- May 18/12  Tu – F
      • Oakville June 5- June 8/12  Tu – F
      • Ottawa June 25 – June 28/12  M- Th
      • Port Colborne Nov 15 – Nov 18/12 Th-Su

Please note: There are no prerequisites to take the SVOP course. However, the SVOP certificate alone is not sufficient to operate your vessel. If your vessel operates more than 2nm from shore all crewmembers as well as the Master/Operator is required to have a MED A3 certificate.

  • At least one crewmember or the Master is required to have either Marine First Aid or a provincially recognized First Aid Course of at least 16 hrs in duration.
  • The requirements listed above are noted in the Marine Personnel Regulations in section 205.

 
With a minimum enrollment, courses can be scheduled at a location and time suitable for attendees. Please call 1-866-468-3225 to discuss this option

Definition of Near Coastal 2

A voyage of a vessel operating within 25 nautical miles off shore, in the waters of Canada and waters contiguous to the United States of America and St. Pierre and Miquelon, being never more than 100 nautical miles from a place of refuge.

Definition of Sheltered Waters

        A voyage made on:

      • A lake or river above tidal waters, in which a vessel cannot be further than one mile from shore at any point (maximum width 2 miles)
      • The lakes, rivers, harbours or other waters listed, during the periods specified, in the Schedule.


Implementation dates for Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) Certification are:

      1. Workboats (including tugs) up to 10 GT that is not a fishing vessel or passenger-carrying vessel – November 7, 2010
      2. Passenger-carrying vessels up to 5 GT or not more than 8 m in overall length that is not a fishing vessel – November 7, 2009

All other operators must comply with the requirements on the coming into force of the regulations.

Note: Although the requirement for the SVOP certificate will not be enforced until 2010, vessel operators are required to have it now and will be held liable if an accident occurs.

Implementation dates for SVOP or FM IV Certification for Fishing Vessels:

      1. 60 GT or less and more than 15 m in overall length – Nov 7, 2008
      2. More than 14 m but not more than 15 m in overall length – Nov 7, 2009
      3. More than 13 m but not more than 14 m in overall length – Nov 7, 2010
      4. More than 12 m but not more than 13 m in overall length – Nov 7, 2012
      5. More than 6 m but not more than 12 m in overall length – Nov 7, 2015
      6. 6 m or less in overall length – Nov 7, 2016

Note: A fishing vessel operator who has 7 seasons as master, before the coming into force of the regulations, with no two seasons in the same year, does not require SVOP or PCOC to operate a fishing vessel < 15 GT in Sheltered Waters or Near Coastal 2.

Practical Boating Course (On the Water)

This two-day course will offer boaters the chance to learn and practice basic boating skills including docking, anchoring, beaching, towing, refueling and pre-sailing inspections and maintenance. This course can be customized to meet your specific needs.

Day one is devoted to classroom instruction. Day two is conducted on board your vessel giving attention to practical exercises. The applicant will be responsible for providing a suitable vessel at the location of instruction.

Our lead Instructor’s are Sergeant Robert Minielly (OPP-retired) and Gary Losee.

Course Code: MARI0082
Prerequisite: PCOC or MED A3
Course Length: 2 days (14 hours)
Maximum Class Size: 8

* Available upon request. Please call 1-866-468-3225 to discuss your training needs.


Simulated Boat Handling Course

Calling all small commercial operators and pleasure boat operators….
Want to improve your ship handling skills is a safe simulated environment? Then this one day course is for you! Practically all types of small commercial vessels are simulated with all of the systems you might have on board your own vessel and more!

Simulated exercises will include rules of the road, docking, anchoring and mooring, buoyage systems, man overboard, shiphandling and maneuvering techniques in all types of weather conditions ranging from calm waters to hurricane force winds. Bring your sea legs as the sensation of motion is realistic and dramatic.

Course Code: MARI0130
Prerequisites: MED A3 or PCOC
Maximum Class Size: 6
Course Length: 1 Day (8 hours)
Course Hours: 08:30 to 17:00
Course Fee: $275.00

      • Owen Sound Oct 18/10

Small Vessel Machinery Operator

This is a new certificate offered by TCMS which fits in between the restricted engineer and 4th class engineer certificate with varying applications depending on the type of vessel and voyage.

This 60-hour course is intended for seafarers with a minimum of two months sea service performing engine room duties. This course will prepare students to challenge the TCMS Small Vessel Machinery Operator exam. Delivery will be a combination of lectures and hands-on practical skills, i.e. identifying pumps, piping, power transmission, underwater fittings, hydraulic systems and pneumatic systems.

Other Transport Canada requirements include: medical certificate, MED A2, Marine Basic First Aid, two months sea time, written examination on General Engineering Knowledge, and a vessel specific oral and practical exam.

You will be required to bring personal protective equipment including safety boots, overalls and gloves.

Course Code: MARI0084
Course Length: 10 days (60 hours)
Course Hours: 1200 – 1900
Course Fee: $1,210.00

* Owen Sound

Page last updated May 9/12