Tier I – Policy - Watchkeeping Mate of a Fishing Vessel of Less than 24 Metres in Length Overall

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1 Policy Objective

1.1 The purpose of this policy is to introduce a new certificate of competency (CoC), the Watchkeeping Mate of a fishing vessel of less than 24 metres in length overall. The certificate will allow its holder, after the Marine Personnel Regulations (MPR) have been amended, to be the person in charge of a navigational watch on a fishing vessel of less than 24 metres in length overall.

2 Policy Statement

2.1 In order to ensure a smooth transition with the entry into force of the MPR, Transport Canada Marine Safety will allow persons meeting the requirements of section 2.2 to obtain a certificate of competency that will allow its holder to be the person in charge of a navigational watch on a fishing vessel of less than 24 metres in length overall, in order to meet the deck watch requirements of the MPR.

2.2 To obtain the Watchkeeping Mate of a fishing vessel of less than 24 metres in length overall certificate, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. Acquire the following sea service performing deck duties on one or more fishing vessels of at least 6 metres in length overall;
   1. at least 6 months; or
   2. at least 3 months in an approved training program if the applicant has successfully completed the program. Note: Despite item a) (i), up to half the amount of an applicant’s sea service performing deck duties required by that item, may include service on board one or more normal trading vessels of at least 6 m in length overall.
2. Marine emergency duties with respect to basic safety (MED A1);
3. Simulated Electronic Navigation (SEN) Limited;
4. Marine Basic First Aid;
5. Restricted Operator’s Certificate (ROC-MC) issued under the Radiocommunication Act;
6. Hold a valid medical certificate or a valid provisional medical certificate; and
7. Pass examinations:
   1. Chartwork and Navigation Safety; and
   2. Oral examination on general seamanship and stability, after meeting the other requirements described above. The content of the syllabuses for the Chartwork and Navigation Safety written examination and for the oral examination on general seamanship and stability can be found in Annex 1 of this policy.

2.3 Validity of the certificate:

2.3.1 The holder of this certificate may act as officer in charge of the watch on board a fishing vessel of less than 24 metres in length overall engaged on a limited contiguous waters voyage, near coastal voyage, class 2 or sheltered waters voyage and as master of a fishing vessel of up to 15 gross tonnage or not more than 12 metres in length overall engaged on near coastal voyage, class 2 or sheltered waters voyage.

2.3.2 The Watchkeeping Mate of a fishing vessel of less than 24 metres in length overall certificate of competency will be valid for a five-year period from the date of issue and the renewal requirements will be as per section 106 and 111 of the MPR.

3 Scope

3.1 This policy applies only to persons who have acquired the following sea service performing deck duties on one or more fishing vessels of at least 6 metres in length overall;

1. at least 6 months; or
2. at least 3 months in an approved training program if the applicant has successfully completed the program

and who wish to obtain the certificate, Watchkeeping Mate of a fishing vessel of less than 24 metres in length overall.

Note: Despite item a) (i), up to half the amount of an applicant’s sea service performing deck duties required by that item, may include service on board one or more normal trading vessels of at least 6 m in length overall.

4 Authority

4.1 This policy comes under the overall administrative authority of the Director General, Marine Safety and the Marine Safety Executive.

5 Responsibility

5.1 The Director, Marine Personnel Standards and Pilotage, is responsible for this policy. Regional Directors are responsible for the application of the policy.

6 Related Document

6.1 Ship Safety Bulletin 06/2010.

7 Background

7.1 Under the previous Crewing Regulations, masters of fishing vessels of less than 60 gross tonnage were not required to hold a CoC.

7.2 With the entry into force of the MPR, these masters are required to hold a certificate but only in accordance with the schedule specified in the Regulations.

7.3 With the entry into force of the MPR, the master of a fishing vessel of at least 15 gross tonnage or at least 12 metres in overall length and of less than 60 gross tonnage is required to hold, as a minimum, either a:

1. Certificate of service as master of a fishing vessel of less than 60 gross tonnage; or
2. Fishing master, fourth class CoC.

7.4 Section 216 of the MPR requires the person in charge of the deck watch to hold a certificate of competency and a radio operator certificate.

7.5 On a voyage, where the vessel does not return to port at night to allow for rest, it is not possible for the master, even though the hours of rest requirements do not apply to fishing vessels of less than 100 gross tonnage, to be on watch at all times. In such a case, a second certificated person to perform watchkeeping duties and radio watch duties is required, in addition to the master.

7.6 Existing officers who have been performing this task for years as officer in charge of the watch, but who were not required by the previous regulations to hold a CoC, may not meet the requirements for a certificate of service as master of a fishing vessel of less than 60 gross tonnage because they have not acquired sea service as master in a manner required by the MPR.

7.7 The minimum certificate that such persons can obtain is a Fishing Master, Fourth Class
CoC, which is a more stringent requirement than the certificate that the master of the same vessel might be holding. Therefore, there is a need for a new certificate that is more relevant for the watchkeeping officers on these vessels.

7.8 The fact that the MPR now require masters of fishing vessels of less than 60 gross tonnage and all persons in charge of the watch to hold a CoC is creating a huge shortage of qualified persons.

8 Definition

8.1 Limited, contiguous waters voyage: means a near coastal voyage, class 1 limited
to the waters contiguous to Canada, the United States (except Hawaii) and
Saint- Pierre-et-Miquelon.

9 Date of Application

9.1 This policy will enter into effect on April 1, 2010.

10 Date for Review or Expiry

10.1 Provisions of this policy will be reviewed not later than 12 months after it comes into effect.

10.2 The provisions will expire when the Marine Personnel Regulations will be amended.

11 RDIMS Reference

11.1 The English version of this document is saved in RDIMS under reference number 5669856. The applied naming convention is (PUBLICATION – TP 13585 – POLICY –Watchkeeping Mate of a fishing vessel of less than 24 metres in length overall).

11.2 La version française du présent document est dans le SGDDI et porte le numéro de référence 5673518. La règle d'affectation des noms est (PUBLICATION – TP 13585 – POLITIQUE - Officier de pont de quart d’un bâtiment de pêche d’une longueur hors-tout de moins de 24 mètres ).

12 Keywords

• Watchkeeping officer
• Fishing vessel
• 24 metres in length overall
• Marine Personnel Regulations

Annex

1. Chartwork and Navigationa Safety :
(Written examination)

Subject	Knowledge Required	Estimated training time
Competence:	Maintain a safe navigational watch
Chart information: Practical understanding of chart construction and knowledge of the information displayed on charts	Chart scales: Large and small scale charts; Factors affecting the reliability of charts; Practical working knowledge of Mercator projections and basic awareness of other chart projections. Practical understanding of information presented under the title-depth units, numbering and tidal references.	2 hours
Publications: Practical knowledge of publications found in the wheelhouse of a fishing vessel < 24 metres in length overall	Ability to readily identify starboard and port lateral and bifurcation buoys, cardinal buoys and isolated danger buoys, as described in the Canadian Buoyage System. Ability to use the following publications to extract necessary information: Canadian Buoyage System, Chart #1, List of Lights Buoys and Fog Signals, Tide Tables, Radio Aids to Marine Navigation, Sailing Directions, Notices to Mariners. Use and purpose of Notices to Shipping.	5 hours
Chartwork: Ability to determine the vessels position and plot the position on the chart and the ability to plot the true course between two positions. Record keeping.	Chartwork exercises: Ability to use parallel rulers and dividers. Ability to plot the vessel’s position on the chart given the latitude and longitude, two true bearings or a true bearing and a distance. Determining the latitude and longitude of a given position. Plot the vessel’s true course between two given positions. Measuring distance from the chart. Time, distance and speed calculations. Practical understanding of 'Dead Reckoning' and factors affecting a vessel’s progress. Gyro compass and errors. Understanding of the importance of keeping an up-to-date record of the vessel’s movement.	21 hours
Chartwork - magnetic compass: Practical understanding of magnetic variation and deviation.	Practical knowledge of magnetic variation and deviation, in determining compass error. Ability to determine the compass course to steer when given variation and deviation. Ability to determine the true course when given variation and deviation. Appreciation of the causes of magnetic deviation.	15 hours
Navigation safety: Practical knowledge and understanding of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea with Canadian Modifications.	Ability to immediately recognize any distress signal as listed in Annex IV. Practical understanding of Rules 1 - 36. Thorough knowledge of Rules 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9(c), 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 30 and 35 as well as Annex II. Proficient ability to use TP 10739B (The Collision Regulations) as a reference publication.	21 hours
Bridge watch procedures: Practical understanding of principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch on board a fishing vessel < 24 metres in length overall.	Principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch as set out in STCW Code sections A-VIII/2 and B-VIII/2, as it applies to fishing vessels < 24 metres in length overall. Knowledge of the principles of bridge teamwork. Proper principles regarding conduct, handover and relief of the watch; Proper look out requirements; The responsibility for the safety of navigation to be c1early defined at all times, including periods when the Master is on the bridge and under pilotage. Importance of good communications on the bridge between watch members and when changing watches. Awareness on when to call the master, especially if any doubt exists. Bridge teamwork procedures.	6 hours
Total:		70 hours

2. General Seamanship and Stability:
(Oral examination)

Subject	Knowledge Required	Estimated training time
Life saving and distress signals: Recognition and proper action.	Recognition and knowledge of the meaning of distress signals contained in the Collision Regulations. Recognition and knowledge of the meaning of lifesaving and distress signals contained in the International Code of Signals.	2 hours
Navigation safety: Maintaining a safe navigational watch.	Responsibilities, duties and related tasks: Principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch. When to call the master. Demonstrate a practical knowledge of the Collision Regulations and Canadian Buoyage System.	2 hours
Pollution prevention: Knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements, who to contact in case of release of pollutants and possible consequences - i.e. responsibilities.	Knowledge of the precautions to be taken during refuelling. Precautions to be taken to prevent pollution of the marine environment by oil, garbage and other pollutants. Appropriate action to take in response to release of a pollutant, including whom to contact. General understanding of regulations pertaining to the release of pollutants from ships. efer to the Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and for Dangerous Chemicals.	1 hour
Construction and seaworthiness: Practical understanding of the basic types of small fishing vessel construction including common terminology.	Structural components of wooden, fibreglass and steel fishing vessels. Basic dimension terminology - transverse, longitudinal, breadth, depth, freeboard and understanding draft marks. Structural stresses - hogging, sagging, panting and pounding. Gross tonnage, displacement tonnage, and deadweight tonnage. Understanding of factors affecting watertight integrity. Importance of freeing ports being kept clear. Practical understanding of the importance of on board alarm systems. General damage control techniques on board small fishing vessels. Transport Canada inspections.	6 hours
Stability: Practical appreciation of the principles of fishing vessel stability.	Basic Terminology: List and heel, trim, G, B, K, M and Z. Practical understanding of transverse stability principles including: GM, GZ, stiff and tender ships, equilibriums, reserve buoyancy, freeboard and other factors affecting the overall stability of the vessel. Practical understanding of righting energy curves. Effect of water density on vessel draft. Potential dangers associated with icing, free surface effect and improper loading of a fishing vessel and corrective measures necessary. Effects of using a boom/crane to unload the catch on stability. In practical terms, the effect of anti-rolling devices on a vessel’s stability. How to find and extract the following information from a vessel’s stability booklet: Notes to the master, tank characteristic and status tables and practical understanding of the type of information presented in displacement tables, as found in the different loading conditions examined in the booklet.	12 hours
Practical seamanship: Practical knowledge necessary to manoeuvre the vessel and perform duties required of a mate on a fishing vessel < 24 metres in length overall or master £15 GT.	Practical appreciation of: Vessel propulsion characteristics – single and twin screw, transverse thrust, shrouded propeller, bow thrusters and the rudder in different manoeuvring scenarios, turning circles and stopping distances. Identify different mooring lines, importance of fendering. Responsibility for damage associated with own ship’s wake within ports etc… Various knots and splices. Considerations when anchoring a vessel. Anchor watches.	4 hours
Safe working practices and OHS: Knowledge of the requirements as prescribed in regulations affecting fishing vessels < 24 metres in length overall Safe Working Practice Regs. MOHS – Canada labour Code	Practical knowledge of requirements regarding: Gangways, ladders, scaffolds, stages and railings, working aloft, confined spaces, hot work, refuelling, personal protective equipment, sanitation and crew considerations, tools and equipment. Loading and offloading considerations – lifting appliances. Knowledge of the Safe Working Load (SWL). Knowledge of the information contained in the Small Fishing Vessel Safety Manual (TP 10038).	4 hours
Marine weather and marine forecast: General knowledge of weather systems, forecasting and sea states, ice charts.	Practical knowledge of wind circulation associated with high and low pressure systems, significance of spacing of isobars, weather conditions associated with cold fronts and warm sectors. Relationship between wind shift and barometer movement. Understanding marine weather forecasts, where to access forecasts, warnings and bulletins, sea state forecast. Practical understanding of information on an ice chart.	2 hours
Emergencies: Knowledge of proper action to take in the case of an emergency.	(MED) Knowledge of proper action to take in the event of a collision, grounding, stranding, abandonment, flooding, fire, man overboard or on board medical emergency. Knowledge of Search and Rescue resources available and proper procedure to access their service. Proper action upon sighting a distress signal and legal responsibilities.	2 hours
Total:		35 hours

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