As of April 2007:

DISCLAIMER: This information is a brief summary provided for convenience only. Transport Canada Regulations should be consulted for the full requirements, or contact Heads-Up Navigation.

Certification:

If you are a crewmember, Master or Operator of any vessel engaged in any type of commercial work, you must have certification.  As of October 1, 2008 Transport Canada expects all candidates,who apply for a training program, to obtain a CDN # from a TCMS office.  These numbers are used by TC to identify the candidate and assist with their records.  A course certificate may not be issued until a CDN number is on that certificate. These numbers are easily obtained by taking in your passport or birth certificate for proof of identity.   Contact your local office for more information. Fines up to $5000. will be given to commercial operators and their crew if they are working without proper certification and those certificates must be aboard for viewing by authorities.   

Safety Courses:

Depending upon the size of vessel, type of activity or distance from shore, you will be required to have one or more of the following safety courses: ROC-M (sometimes referred to as ROC-MQ) or ROC-MC, SVOP, MED.: A1, A2, B1, B2, A3, C, D. and possibly PCOC.

Type of Vessel:

The regulations that apply to your situation will depend on whether your vessel is commercial (non-pleasure), a fishing vessel, a special purpose vessel or recreational (pleasure craft). Regulations and requirements to safeguard a vessel and its occupants increase as the risk increases. All commercial vessels must be inspected and approved by TC before being put into service.

Additional Factors:

As the vessel size, number of passengers, operating area, and environmental risk factors increase, more stringent requirements are added to mitigate these risks. In other words small commercial vessels navigating in sheltered waters require less regulations than sea-going vessels which require enhanced safety equipment, constructions standards and operator certification.

Voyage Classification:

A voyage classification will be assigned to your vessel according to your area of operation. Most small vessels operate in Sheltered Waters or Near Coastal Class 2 Waters. Voyage classifications have changed recently, please check with your local TC office. Small vessels are those vessels other than Fishing Vessels and Pleasure Craft, which do not exceed 150 Gross Tons and are approximately 24 meters or less.

Crew Workboats:

Operators of some workboats which are used for crew purposes that carry less than 6 passengers, are under 8 meters in length and work only in sheltered waters may only need a PCOC card. Check with your local Transport Canada office to find out if you meet this criteria.

Charter Fishing:

Those who work for themselves, doing charter fishing, must have their Marine First Aid, MED A3, ROC-M and SVOP by November, 2009 in order to comply with Transport Canada standards. Their vessel must also comply with the new rules of the CSA 2001. Stability assessments are a high priority so be prepared to have a TC officer assist you or you will be asked to do your own assessment using the latest TC Transport Publication.