Canada: equivalency for RCN competencies and CoC/CoP

Transport Canada has issued a ship safety bulletin for equivalency regarding Royal Canadian Navy competencies and certificates of competency and/or certificates of proficiency.

The document was published on 2 February 2023.

This bulletin is to inform seafarers and marine stakeholders how members of the regular force serving in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) can receive credit towards obtaining commercial marine certification under the Marine Personnel Regulations (MPR).

The bulletin provides:

An overview of currently approved training provided by the RCN for the purpose of obtaining a Certificate of Competency (CoC) or Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) from Transport Canada; and
In addition, efforts are underway to recognize additional RCN training programs, certificates, and sea service by Transport Canada.

Transport Canada has accepted the RCN as an approved Course Provider for the purposes of the MPR.

DECK CERTIFICATION AND ENGINEERING CERTIFICATION

The RCN has been approved to issue the following training certificates for all of their personnel who have completed the Naval Environmental Training Program. Transport Canada can issue Certificates of Proficiencies if the training has been completed within 5 years before the application date.

Marine Emergency Duties (MED) with Respect to Standard for Training
Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Basic Safety Training Certificate;
MED with Respect to STCW Basic Safety Refresher Training Certificate
with completion of the RCN Fire/Flood and Sea Survival Refresher Training;
MED with Respect to Advanced Firefighting Training Certificate; and,
MED with Respect to Advanced Firefighting Refresher Training Certificate
with completion of the RCN Fire/Flood Refresher Training

DECK CERTIFICATION

RCN Boatswains who have successfully completed the Qualification Level (QL)
3 training, as well as the On-the-Job-Training, will receive the Bridge Watch Rating (BWR) Training Certificate with the credit for steering testimonial. The additional sea service required for this trade is 60 days (day for day) on commissioned vessels operated by the Department of National Defense.
In addition to the BWR training certificate and the 60 days sea service to obtain a BWR CoC, the successful completion of the MED with respect to Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats within 5 years before the application date, Marine Basic First Aid training, and holding a valid Marine Medical Certificate are required.

ENGINEERING CERTIFICATION

Levels of the Marine Technician (MARTECH) legacy training prior 2013 that had been assessed against TP 8911 – Engineering Officer Education and Training Program:

A seafarer who achieves QL3, and has obtained a Certificate 1 from RCN is eligible, depending on an assessment, to receive an Engine-room Rating CoC under the MPR, and
A seafarer who achieves QL5 and has obtained Certificate 2 from RCN is eligible, depending on an assessment, to receive a Fourth-class Engineer, Motor Ship, or Steamship CoC under the MPR.

Other certificate qualifications are currently under review with respect to engineering and nautical certificates.

Ship’s cook certificate of competency

For a military cook who achieves the QL5 and has served on RCN vessels, RCN will issue a Transport Canada training certificate. The candidate will still be required to provide 30 days of sea service, a valid marine medical certificate, a current Marine Advanced First Aid training certificate, and valid MED training certificate with respect to STCW Basic Safety.

The bulletin also provides the list of local Transport Canada offices for further information.