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Reminder : New Requirement for the Master of Fishing Vessels of 60 Gross Tonnage or Less to Hold a Certificate
The new Marine Personnel Regulations (MPR) that came into force on July 1st, 2007 requires that the master of all fishing vessels eventually hold a certificate. The date at which this requirement starts depends on the vessel’s overall length (L) and is as per the following timeframe: For vessels of more than 15m in overall length on 7-11-2008, L > 14m (45’ 11”) on 7-11-2009, L > 13m (42’ 08”) on 7-11-2010, L > 12m (39’ 04”) on 7- 11-2012, L > 6m (19’ 08”) on 7-11-2015 and L < 6m (19’ 08”) on 7-11-2016.
Starting from the date indicated in the preceding paragraph, masters of fishing vessels referred to will be required to hold, as a minimum, either a Fishing Master, Fourth Class certificate or if they already had at least 12 months of experience as master prior to July 1, 2007, a certificate of service as Master of a Fishing Vessel of Less than 60 Gross Tonnage.
In addition, the MPR prescribes that when a vessel is required to have a certificated master, the watch shall be kept by a certificated person. When the master does not permanently keep the watch by himself for example when he rests, the person who replaces him has to hold a certificate of competency or a certificate of service. To this effect, two new certificates have been created: the Certificate of Service as Watchkeeping Mate of a Fishing Vessel of Less Than 24 meters in length overall and the Watchkeeping officer of a fishing vessel of less than 24 metres in length overall. Under a Marine safety policy, enforcement of this watch person requirement will start on 7-11-2010, if meanwhile the master holds the certificate required by the MPR
The pre-requisites to obtain a master’s certificate of competency, a certificate of service as master, a certificate of service as watchkeeping mate or a Watchkeeping Officer for a new entrant are mentioned in the table overleaf. For a certificate of service as master, it is required to have accumulated prior to July 1, 2007, at least 12 months of service as master of a fishing vessel of at least 15 gross tonnage or of at least 12 meters in overall length. The more experienced captains who have accumulated at least 7 fishing seasons need only to comply with the lesser requirements as indicated overleaf. For the certificate of service as officer, 12 months of watch service is acceptable and for the watchkeeping officer certificate for a new entrant, 6 months of deck duties.
To apply for a master or watchkeeping certificate or to obtain any further information, please communicate with any Transport Canada Marine Safety (TCMS) examination center.
Pre-requisites to Obtain a Certificate as Master, or Service as Master, or Service as Officer or a watchkeeping Officer of a Fishing Vessel
| Certificates | Fishing Master, Fourth Class | Certificate of Service as Master of a Fishing Vessel of Less Than 60 Gross Tonnage (With 12 months of service as captain) Or Certificate of Service as Watchkeeping Mate of a Fishing Vessel of Less Than 24 meters in length overall (With 12 months of watch service) |
Certificate of Service as Master of a Fishing Vessel of Less Than 60 Gross Tonnage (With 12 months of service as captain and at least 7 fishing seasons as captain) Or Certificate of Service as Watchkeeping Mate of a Fishing Vessel of Less Than 24 meters in length overall (With 12 months of watch service and at least 7 fishing seasons) |
Watchkeeping Officer of a fishing vessel of not more than 24 metres in length overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-requisites | ||||
| Sea service required (See note) | 12 months, deck duties, fishing vessel of 6 m or more | On a fishing vessel of at least 15 gross tonnage or of at least 12 m in overall length, 12 months, acquired prior to July 1, 2007:
|
On a fishing vessel of at least 15 gross tonnage or of at least 12 m in overall length, 12 months, acquired prior to July 1, 2007:
And at least 7 fishing seasons (years), prior to July 1, 2007 |
6 months, deck duties, fishing vessel of 6 m or more |
| Medical examination | Yes | _ | _ | Yes |
| MED course | A1 | A1 | A1 | A1 |
| Radio operator certificate | ROC-MC | ROC-MC or ROC (as per radio equipment and voyage limits) | ROC-MC or ROC (as per radio equipment and voyage limits) | ROC-MC |
| Simulated electronic navigation course | SEN, Limited | SEN, Limited | _ | SEN, Limited |
| First aid | Marine advanced | Marine basic | _ | Marine basic |
| Small Vessel Operator Proficiency course | _ | Yes (SVOP training certificate) | _ | _ |
| Pass examinations in |
|
_ | _ |
|
Note: To apply for sea service approval, fill out form "EXN3 - Application to be examined for a certificate or endorsement" and form "EXN2 – Statement of sea service for a certificate" and for each period entered on form EXN2, join a filled out and signed by the master or owner form "Testimonial of sea service (Deck department)" and attach photocopies of fisherman booklet or discharge book as the case may be. In the case that the applicant is the master, he may have his forms authenticated by an oath commissioner. In addition, provide a proof of Canadian citizenship (Canadian birth or baptismal certificate or a Canadian Passport).
Transport Canada
Personnel Standards and Pilotage
330 Sparks St. 8th floor 330,
Place de Ville, Tower C
Ottawa (Ontario)
K1A 0N8
The following document is available for downloading or viewing:
Reminder : New Requirement for the Master of Fishing Vessels of 60 Gross Tonnage or Less to Hold a Certificate
(48 KB) 
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To order this document by e-mail, contact us at:cmac-ccmc@tc.gc.ca
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