Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

For the information of our Captains:

Here is the latest information package from Transport Canada dealing with certifications.

Below is a matrix sheet which shows the requirements for fishing and other types of vessels and also the phase in dates for fishing vessel certification for the captain.

Marine Personnel Regulations Requirements for Small non-Pleasure Vessels
General
Section 211 of the Marine Personnel Regulations requires that every vessel that is required to carry 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 Certificate 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 than15 gross tonnage
• Pleasure craft and commercial river rafts are exempt.
The operator certification requirements for vessels not required to carry a Safe Manning Document are set out below.
Master / Operator Requirements
The following table shows the operator requirements according to section 212 of the Marine Personnel Regulations for vessels < 15 GT operating in certain areas.

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
Implementation dates for fishing vessels
jauge brute < 60 Gross Tonnage and > 15m Nov 7, 2008
< 15m and > 14m Nov 7, 2009
< 14m and > 13m Nov 7, 2010
< 13m and > 12m Nov 7, 2012
< 12m and > 6m Nov 7, 2015
< 6m Nov 7, 2016
All other operators must comply with the requirements on the
coming into force of the regulations.

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 a Small Vessel Operator proficiency Certificate or Pleasure Craft Operator Card to operate a fishing vessel < 15 GT in Near Coastal Class 2 or Sheltered Waters.

There is also a process where Captains can be issued a declaration from Transport Canada that recognizes their past service as a Captain. This declaration will exempt them from the requirement to take the Small Vessel Operator Proficiency training course and will serve as their captain’s certificate. This service (seven seasons) must have been acquired prior to July 01, 2007 and may have been acquired on more than one vessel. Each vessel requires a separate testimonial. Included is a page with instructions and then a completed sample of a sea service testimonial, the declaration itself and the application for a Candidate Document Number.

For an example of this declaration, please see this PDF copy of a sample SVOP document: userfiles/Sample SVOP Declaration Package.pdf

Some new TP documents have been placed on the TC website dealing with fishing certification. They are TP 15096, TP 15117 and TP 15141. Please see the link for further information on these documents: www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-menu-515.htm

If you have any questions about the above information, please contact Transport Canda at their office in Charlottetown, 902-566-7987.