Seafarers’ Registry, Contributions and Marine Emergency Duties (MED) Divestiture Programs

The Seafarers’ Registry, Contributions and Marine Emergency Duties ( MED ) Divestiture Programs division issues seafarers’ identity documents, manages contribution programs related to the divestiture of simulators and Marine Emergency Duties assets, and the seafarer’s medical appeals process.

Central Registry of Seafarers

With the coming into force of the Canada Shipping Act 2001 ( CSA 2001 ) on July 1, 2007, and the implementation of the Marine Personnel Regulations, the responsibility for maintaining seafarer records has shifted to the seafarer and the authorized representative.  Transport Canada will no longer maintain a registry to support seafarer records.

To respond to the modern activities of the Central Registry of Seafarers, Official Log Books and Articles of Agreement will be opened and closed by the master of a vessel and retained by the authorized representative for a minimum period of five years.

Records of merchant seafarers who served in the Canadian Merchant Navy between 1939 and 1947, and between 1950 and 1953 continue to be maintained by Veterans Affairs Canada.

NOTE:  All modifications related to Central Registry of Seafarers Documentation, as a result of the CSA 2001 , can be found in the Ship Safety Bulletin at the following site: http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/bulletins/2008/02-eng.htm

Seafarer’s Identity Document

The Seafarer’s Identity Document ( SID ) is being modernized to include new security features in conformity with the ILO Convention C185.  This biometric secure system will provide Canadian seafarers with a document that will have worldwide interoperability.

The SID will continue to be issued in conformity with ILO Convention (C-108) or on a voluntary basis in conformity with ILO Convention (C-185) with enhanced security controls, until such time as C-185 is ratified.

Marine Emergency Duties ( MED )

The Department’s focus is now on the policy and regulatory framework, and as a result, plans on divesting all TC-owned MED buildings and equipment.

TC-mandated MED training continues to be offered at 41 recognized institutions across Canada. This network of facilities is available to seafarer candidates requiring TC certification.

Marine Simulators Contribution Program

Transport Canada has decided to end its direct financial support of the simulator training service delivery in order to focus on the policy and regulatory framework including standards, coordination, compliance monitoring and reporting and has consequently obtained Treasury Board approval for a four-year financial contribution program, effective from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2011, to transfer ownership of TC -owned simulators to the provinces.

Under the Marine Simulators Contribution Program, the Provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are eligible applicants and potential recipients of contributions, by virtue of their legislative authority for the five major Marine Training Institutes that are currently certified to deliver the TC -mandated regulatory training and certification programs.

Two objectives are identified for the Marine Simulators Contribution Program:

  1. modernize simulator equipment by replacing or upgrading existing simulators with state-of-the-art simulator equipment that will meet TC standards for regulatory training and certification; and
  2. provide sustainability of quality training and certifications by assuring continued regulatory training and certification activities at the certified Marine Training Institutes.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )

Discharge Book

Question:
Where do I apply for a Discharge Book?

Answer:
Applications for a discharge book can be made at any Transport Canada Marine Safety office located at the following site:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/regions.htm

Question:
Who may apply for a Discharge Book?

Answer:
Discharge Books are issued to Canadian seafarers who will be working on a vessel in any capacity and who have reasonable proof that they are about to be employed on a vessel.

As proof of authenticated employment, the applicant should present a letter signed by the authorized representative of the vessel, seafarer recruitment and placement service or a seafarer’s union, stating that an offer of employment has been made.

Question:
What documents do I require to apply for a Discharge Book?

Answer:
Seafarers must present a valid photo identification document and proof of Canadian citizenship or residence, and a passport photo.

Photo Identification Document must be a valid:

  • Seafarer's Identity Document;
  • Canadian maritime document;
  • Canadian Passport;
  • Permanent Resident Card;
  • Certificate of Indian Status;
  • Firearms Licence;
  • Old Age Security card;
  • Federal, provincial or municipal employee identification card;
  • Driver's licence;
  • Provincial Health Care Card.

Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency must be a valid:

  • Seafarer's Identity Document
  • Canadian birth certificate;
  • Canadian Baptismal Certificate;
  • Certificate of citizenship
  • Canadian passport;
  • Permanent Resident Card;
  • Certificate of Indian Status;

Question:
What is the purpose of a Discharge Book?

Answer:
The Discharge Book is used to record details of sea time.  It is not a passport, nor a travel document.

Question:
I am currently working outside of Canada.  Where do I apply for a Discharge Book?

Answer:
When applying for a Discharge Book outside of Canada you must contact the nearest Consular Office.  Consular Offices can be located at the following website: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/contact/offices-list_liste-bureaux-fra.asp.

Question:
How much does a Discharge Book cost?

Answer:
Contact the nearest Transport Canada Marine Safety office at the following site for current costs.  http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/regions.htm

Question:
My Discharge Book has been lost or damaged.  How do I obtain a replacement?

Answer:
A seafarer may re-apply for a new Discharge Book by going to any Transport Canada Marine Safety office and completing TC form #82-0313, EXN-9, Application for a Certified Copy of a Certificate, Replacement of Discharge Book and Seafarer Identity Document, to attest to the circumstances of the lost document The form is available at http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Corp-Serv-Gen/5/Forms-Formulaires/search.aspx or by calling 1-888-830-4911.

Re-issuance of a Discharge Book will follow the same procedure as for the first time issuance.

Seafarer’s Identity Document ( SID )

Question:
Where do I apply for a Seafarers Identity Document ( SID )?

Answer:
Applications for a SID can be made at any Transport Canada Marine Safety office located at the following site:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/regions.htm

Question:
Who may apply for a Seafarers Identify Document ( SID )?

A SID may be issued to a person employed or to be employed in any capacity on a commercial or Canadian Coast Guard vessel and to a seafarer who holds or is in the process of being issued a Certificate of competency.

As proof of authenticated employment, the applicant should present a letter signed by the authorized representative of the vessel, seafarer recruitment and placement service or a seafarer’s union, stating that an offer of employment has been made.

Question:
What documents do I require to apply for a Seafarers Identify Document ( SID )?

Answer:
Seafarers must present a valid photo identification document and proof of Canadian citizenship or residence, and two passport photos.

Photo Identification Document must be a valid:

  • Seafarer's Identity Document;
  • Canadian maritime document;
  • Canadian passport;
  • Permanent Resident Card;
  • Certificate of Indian Status;
  • Firearms Licence;
  • Old Age Security card;
  • Federal, provincial or municipal employee identification card;
  • Driver's licence;
  • Provincial Health Care Card.

Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency must be a valid:

  • Seafarer's Identity Document
  • Canadian birth certificate;
  • Canadian Baptismal Certificate;
  • Certificate of citizenship
  • Canadian passport;
  • Permanent Resident Card;
  • Certificate of Indian Status;

Question:
How much does a Seafarer’s Identity Document ( SID ) cost?

Answer:
A $20 fee will be collected at the time of application. 

Question:
Can a Seafarers Identity Document ( SID ) be used as a passport?

Answer:
The SID does not constitute a passport and will not be accepted as such in any country.

Question:
My Seafarer’s Identity Document ( SID ) has been lost or damaged.  How can I obtain a replacement?

Answer:
Seafarers who have lost their SID may re-apply for a new one by going to any Transport Canada office and completing Transport Canada form #82-0313, EXN-9, Application for a Certified Copy of a Certificate, Replacement of Discharge Book and Seafarer Identity Document, to attest to the circumstances of the lost document The form is available at http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Corp-Serv-Gen/5/Forms-Formulaires/search.aspx or by calling 1-888-830-4911.

Re-issuance of a SID will follow the same procedure as for the first time issuance.

Statement of Sea Service

Question:
Where do I obtain a statement of sea service?

Answer:
Voyages post July 1, 2007 - With the coming into force of the Canada Shipping Act 2001 on July 1, 2007, seafarers and authorized representatives are responsible for maintaining seafarer records.  Authorized representatives will retain Articles of Agreement for a minimum period of five years, and could provide a statement of sea service upon request from the seafarer. 

Voyages prior to July 1, 2007 - Applications for a statement of sea service for records dating prior to implementation of the Canada Shipping Act 2001 can be made at any Transport Canada Marine Safety office located at the following site:  http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/regions.htm

War Time - Records of merchant seafarers who served in the Canadian Merchant Navy between 1939 and 1947, and between 1950 and 1953 can be obtained by contacting Veterans Affairs Canada as follows:
If calling from within Canada:   1-888-289-8512
If calling from outside Canada:  1-888-996-2242

Question:
What is the fee associated with a request for statement of sea service from Transport Canada?

Answer:
A $90 fee for every 5 consecutive years of statement of sea service will be collected at the time of application.

Other

Question:
Where can I locate the nearest Transport Canada Marine Safety office?

Answer:
Transport Canada Marine Safety offices are located at the following site: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/regions.htm

Question:
I am a seafarer.  How do I obtain a Transportation Security Clearance?

Answer:
The Transportation Security Clearance Enrolment Process for seafarers is outlined in the following Ship Safety Bulletin: http://www.tc.gc.ca/MarineSafety/bulletins/2007/13-eng.htm

Question:
I have a change of address. What is the process for updating my records at Transport Canada?

Answer:
Your record will be updated upon your next visit to a Transport Canada Marine Safety office.