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SVOP, MED A3, Transport Canada courses, ROC(M)

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FAQ

1. Who needs the Transport Canada certificates?

According to Transport Canada's Web site as of February 1, 2010

Requirements for Small Non-pleasure Vessels

General

Under the Marine Personnel Regulations every vessel that requires an inspection certificate is also required to carry a Safe Manning Document, setting out the numbers of crew and their qualifications.
Section 9 of the Vessel Certificates Regulations specifies that the following vessels must carry Canadian vessel inspection certificates:
- Vessels of 15 gross tonnage or less that carry more than 12 passengers;
- Vessels of more than 15 gross tonnage.

Note: pleasure craft and commercial river rafts are exempt

For vessels not required to carry a Safe Manning Document, the operator certification requirements are set out below.

Master/Operator Requirements

	Vessel	Near Coastal 1	> 2 nautical miles from shore	< 2 nautical miles from shore	Sheltered Waters
	Vessel	Near Coastal 1	Near Coastal 2		Sheltered Waters
Passenger-Carrying Vessels (<12 passengers)	> 5 GT	Master 150 GT (Domestic) (if endorsed for limited, contiguous waters)	Limited Master < 60 GT	Limited Master < 60 GT	Limited Master < 60 GT
	≤ 5 GT and > 8m		SVOP	SVOP	SVOP
	> 6 passengers and ≤; 8 m		SVOP	SVOP	SVOP
	≤ 6 passengers and ≤ 8 m		SVOP	SVOP	PCOC
Workboats	> 5 GT	Master 150 GT (Domestic) (if endorsed for limited, contiguous waters)	Limited Master < 60 GT	Limited Master < 60 GT	Limited Master < 60 GT
	≤ 5 GT and > 8m (except tugs)		SVOP	SVOP	SVOP
	≤ 8m (except tugs)		SVOP	PCOC
	Tugs		Limited Master < 60 GT	Limited Master < 60 GT	Limited Master < 60 GT
Fishing Vessels	> 15 GT	FM 4 (Fishing Master Class 4) or Certificate of Service < 60 GT	FM 4 or Certificate of Service < 60 GT	FM 4 or Certificate of Service < 60 GT	FM 4 or Certificate of Service < 60 GT
	≤ 15 GT		SVOP	PCOC

This table is for the convenience of users. If any discrepancy is found between the Marine Personnel Regulations and the table, the Regulations shall prevail.

SVOP - Small Vessel Operator Proficiency training certificate
PCOC - Pleasure Craft Operator Card
GT - gross tonnage
m - metres
FM 4 - Fishing Master, Class 4
> - greater than
< - less than
≤ - less than or equal to

Implementation dates for the table are as follows:

Workboat (including tugs)
≤ 10 GT
Nov 7, 2010

Passenger-carrying vessel
≤ 5 GT or ≥ 8m
Nov 7, 2009

2. What is the MED A3 certificate?

This certificate may be obtained by attending a course providing basic safety training for crew members of non-pleasure vessels of not more than 150 gross tonnage operating not more than 25 nautical miles from shore. This is an 8 hour course. Note that MED A3 is required for SVOP certification.

Backgrounder on MED training as of March 2007.

Note the MED A4 mentioned has been removed.