Government of Canada navigation bar

Symbol of the Government of Canada

Primary site navigation bar

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Marine Transportation
  3. Marine Safety
  4. Marine Safety Publications
  5. Training Standards for Personnel on board Passenger-carrying Vessels - TP 13024 E

Training Standards for Personnel on board Passenger-carrying Vessels - TP 13024 E

To view or download alternate formats of this publication, or to order this publication online, please visit "Transact", Transport Canada's Online Publications Storefront.

Table of Contents

General

1.1 Background
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Goals
1.4 Certification scheme
1.5 Crewing requirements
1.6 Courses duration

Course Approval

2.1 General
2.2 Recognised Institution

Courses Outline

Table 1 – Crowd Management Training
Table 2 – Familiarization Training
Table 3 – Safety Training for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces
Table 4 – Passenger Safety Training
Table 5 – Crisis Management and Human Behavior Training
Table 6 – Familiarization Training for Ro-Ro Passenger vessels
Table 7 – Passenger Safety, Cargo Safety and Hull Integrity Training for Ro-Ro Passenger vessels

General

1.1 Background

The mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ro-ro passenger-carrying vessels are defined in STCW Convention Regulation V/2 and detailed in Section A-V/2 of the mandatory code A.

The mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on passenger-carrying vessels (other than ro-ro vessels) are defined in STCW Convention Regulation V/3 and in Section A V/3 of the mandatory code A.

1.2 Objectives

The objectives of this publication are to describe the content of the training courses related to passengercarrying vessels and to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Convention, the Code A and the Marine Personnel Regulations.

1.3 Goals

To provide personnel on board passenger-carrying vessels with standards for familiarization, basic safety training and competencies to cope with such hazards and emergencies to the extent appropriate to their functions on board the vessel.

To provide seafarers with an understanding of measures to be taken in order to ensure a safe operation of passenger-carrying vessels.

Scope

Vessels of more than 500 gross tonnage that carry more than 12 passengers and are engaged on a voyage other than a sheltered waters voyage.

Masters, officers, and other members of the complement assigned specific duties on the muster list, while they are employed on board a passenger-carrying vessel.

Effective Date

This document enters into force on the day the Marine Personnel Regulations come into effect.

1.4 Certification scheme

Under the Marine Personnel Regulations, there are now two levels of certification, which fully complies with the Convention:

  • The Passenger Safety Management certificate or endorsement is issued under Section 157 of the Regulations. It comes in the form of an endorsement for the holder of an STCW (booklet type) certificate, and as a stand-alone certificate for a person who does not already hold an STCW certificate.
  • The Specialized Passenger Safety Management (Ro-Ro Vessels) certificate or endorsement is issued under Section 158 of the Regulations. The format is the same as for a Passenger Safety Management certificate.

1.5 Crewing requirements

The requirements to hold one of the above certificates or endorsements are specified in Sections 229 and 230 of the Regulations.

To summarize those sections:

  1. On board a passenger-carrying vessel, other than a ro-ro vessel, the master, all the officers and the persons assigned specific duties (assisting passengers in emergency situations, providing direct service in passenger spaces, assisting in embarking or disembarking passengers) must hold a Passenger Safety Management certificate or endorsement.
  2. On board a ro-ro passenger-carrying vessel, the master, chief mate, chief engineer, second engineer and the persons assigned specific duties (loading, discharging or securing cargo, closing hull openings, ensuring passenger safety in emergency situations, assisting in embarking or disembarking passengers) must hold a Specialized Passenger Safety Management (Ro-Ro Vessels) certificate or endorsement.

Persons assigned other duties (assisting passengers in emergency situations, providing direct service in passenger spaces, assisting in embarking or disembarking passengers) must hold a Passenger Safety Management certificate or endorsement.

1.6 Courses duration

Passenger Safety Management Training Course: 12.5 hours

1. Crowd management training (2.5 hours)
2. Familiarization training (0.25 hours)
3. Safety training for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces (1.25 hours)
4. Passenger Safety Training (0.75 hour)
5. Crisis management and human behaviour training (7.75 hours)

Specialized Passenger Safety Management (Ro-Ro Vessels) Training Course: 10.75 hours

6. Familiarization training (3.75 hours)
7. Passenger safety, cargo safety, hull integrity training (7 hours)

NOTE: The Passenger Safety Management Training Course is a prerequisite to the Specialized Passenger Safety Management (Ro-Ro Vessels) Training Course.

Course Approval

2.1 General

Canada’s accession to STCW Convention means that all approved marine training programs and courses must be delivered and monitored through a quality management system.

2.2 Recognised Institution

Courses are to be provided by a “recognized institution” as defined in the Marine Personnel Regulations. Approval procedures are provided in the chapter entitled Approval of Marine Training Courses and Programs of the Quality Management Manual – Marine Personnel Standards and Pilotage, published by the Department of Transport, Marine Personnel Standards and Pilotage Directorate.

Institutions must submit for approval their course syllabus, training manual, instructor qualifications and any other information required by the above-mentioned document to the following address:

Marine Personnel Standards and Pilotage
Transport Canada, Marine Safety
112, Kent Street, Tower B, 4th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5

Courses Outline

Table 1 – Crowd Management Training

Crowd management training for personnel designated on muster list to assist passengers in emergency situations shall include, but not necessary limited to:

COMPETENCE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF COMPETENCE
Life-saving appliances and control plans
  • Knowledge of muster lists and emergency situations;
  • Knowledge of the emergency exits;
  • Restriction on the use of elevators.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Procedures and actions are in accordance with mustering procedures.
Assist passengers en route to assembly and embarkation stations
  • Ability to give clear and reassuring orders;
  • Ability to take control of passengers in corridors, staircases and passageways;
  • Maintaining escape routes clear of obstructions;
  • Methods available for evacuation of disabled persons and persons needing special assistance; and
  • Organizing a search of accommodation spaces.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Information on vessel’s layout, escape routes, etc.

Available procedures and/or special devices to assist persons in need of assistance.
Mustering procedures
  • The importance of keeping order;
  • The ability to use procedures for reducing and avoiding panic;
  • The ability to use, where appropriate, passengers list for evacuation counts; and
  • The ability to ensure that the passengers are suitably clothed and have donned their lifejackets correctly.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Procedures used for evacuation to muster stations.

Information on required suitable clothing, based on climatic conditions.

Table 2 – Familiarization Training

Familiarization training shall at least ensure attainment of the abilities that are appropriate to be filled and the duties and responsibilities to be taken up,
as follows:

COMPETENCE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF COMPETENCE
Design and operational limitations
  • Ability to properly understand and observe any operational limitations imposed on the vessel, and to understand and apply performance restrictions, including speed limitations in adverse weather, which are intended to maintain the safety of life, vessel and cargo.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Information on vessel’s design, performances and operational restrictions.

Table 3 – Safety Training for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces

Safety (additional) training shall at least ensure attainment of the abilities as follows:

COMPETENCE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF COMPETENCE
Communication
  • Ability to communicate with passengers during an emergency, taking into account:
    1. the language or languages appropriate to the principal nationalities of passengers carried on the particular route;
    2. the likelihood that an ability to use elementary English vocabulary for basic instructions can provide a means of communicating with a passenger in need of assistance whether or not the passenger and crew member share a common language;
    3. the possible need to communicate during an emergency by some other means such as by demonstration, or hand signals, or calling attention to the location of instructions, muster stations, life-saving devices or evacuation routes, when oral communication is impractical;
    4. the extent to which complete instructions have been provided to passengers in their native language or languages; and
    5. the languages in which emergency announcements may be broadcast during an emergency or drill to convey critical guidance to passengers and to facilitate crew members in assisting passengers.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Local language or languages.

Non-vocal communications.
Life-saving appliances
  • Ability to demonstrate to passengers the use of personal
    life-saving appliances.
Assessment of evidence obtained
from training, exercises and
practical demonstration. 		Proper usage of personal lifesaving equipment.

Table 4 – Passenger Safety Training

Crisis management and human behavior training shall at least ensure the attainment of the ability specified bellow:

COMPETENCE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF COMPETENCE
Passenger safety
  • Knowledge of the procedures and acquire appropriate ability for safely embarking and disembarking passengers with special attention to the disabled person and persons needing assistance.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, exercises and practical demonstration. Available procedures and/or special devices to assist persons in need of assistance

Table 5 – Crisis Management and Human Behavior Training

Crisis management and human behavior training shall at least ensure the attainment of the ability specified bellow:

COMPETENCE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF COMPETENCE
Organize shipboard emergency procedures
  • Knowledge of:
    1. the general design and layout of the vessel;
    2. safety regulations;
    3. emergency plans and procedures.
  • The importance of the principles for the development of vessel specific emergency procedures including:
    1. the need for pre-planning and drills of shipboard emergency procedures; and
    2. the need for all personnel to be aware of and adhere to pre-planned emergency procedures as carefully as possible in the event of an emergency situation.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, exercises with one or more prepared emergency plans and practice demonstration. The shipboard emergency procedures ensure a state of readiness to respond to emergency situations.
Optimize the use of resources
  • Ability to optimize the use of resources, taking into account:
    1. the possibility that resources available in an emergency may be limited; and
    2. the need to make use full use of personnel and equipment immediately available and, if necessary, to improvise.
  • Ability to organize realistic drills to maintain a state of readiness, taking into account lessons learnt from previous accidents involving passenger-carrying vessels; debriefing after drills.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, practical demonstration and shipboard training and drills of emergency procedures. Contingency plans optimize the use of available resources.

Allocation of task and responsibilities reflects the known competency of individuals.

Roles and responsibilities of team and individuals are clearly defined.
Control response to
emergencies
  • Ability to make an initial assessment and provide an effective response to emergency situations in accordance with established emergency procedures.

Leadership skills

  • Ability to lead and direct others in emergency situations, including the need:
    1. to set an example during emergency situations;
    2. to focus decision making, given the need to act quickly in a emergency; and
    3. to motivate, encourage and reassure passengers and other personnel.

Stress handling

  • Ability to identify the development of symptoms of excessive personal stress and those of other members of the vessel’s emergency team.
  • Understanding that stress generated by emergency situations can affect the performance of individuals and their ability to act on instructions and follow procedures.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, practical demonstration and shipboard training and drills of emergency procedures. Procedures and actions are in accordance with established principles and plans for crisis management on board.

Objectives and strategy are appropriate to the nature of the emergency, take account of contingencies and make optimum use of available resources.

Actions of crew members contribute to maintaining order and control.
Control passengers and other personnel during emergency situations

Human behaviour and responses

Ability to control passengers and other personnel in emergency situations, including:

  1. Awareness of the general reaction patterns of passengers and other personnel in emergency situations, including the possibility that:
    1. generally it takes some time before people accept the fact that there is an emergency situation; and
    2. some people may panic and not behave with a normal level or rationality, that their ability to comprehend may be impaired and they may not be responsive to instructions as in non emergency situations;
  2. Awareness that passengers and other personnel may, inter alia:
    1. start looking for relatives, friends and/or their belongings as a first reaction when something goes wrong;
    2. seek safety in their cabins or in other places on-board where they think that they can escape danger; and
    3. tend to move to the upper side when vessel is listing;
  3. Appreciation of the possible problem of panic resulting from separating families.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, practical demonstration and shipboard training and drills of emergency procedures. Actions of crew members contribute to maintain order and control.
Establish and maintain effective communications
  • Ability to established and maintain effective communications, including:
    1. the importance of clear and concise instructions and reports; and
    2. the need to encourage an exchange of information with, and feedback from, passengers and other personnel.
  • Ability to provide relevant information to passengers and other personnel during an emergency situation, to keep them apprised of the overall situation and to communicate any action required of them, taking into account:
    1. the language or languages appropriate to the principal nationalities of passengers and other personnel carried on the particular route;
    2. the possible need to communicate during an emergency by some other means such as by demonstration, or by hand signals or calling attention to the location of instructions, muster stations, life-saving devices or evacuation routes, when oral communication is impractical; and
    3. the language in which emergency announcements may be broadcast during an emergency or drill to convey critical guidance to passengers and to facilitate crew members in assisting passengers.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, exercises and practical demonstration.

Information from all available sources is obtained, evaluated and confirmed as quickly as possible and reviewed throughout the emergency.

Information given to individuals, emergency response teams and passengers is accurate, relevant and timely.

Information keeps passengers informed as to the nature of the emergency and the actions required of them.

Table 6 – Familiarization Training for Ro-Ro Passenger vessels

Familiarization training shall at least ensure attainment of the abilities that are appropriate to be filled and the duties and responsibilities to be taken up,
as follows:

COMPETENCE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF COMPETENCE
Procedures for opening, closing and securing hull openings
  • Ability to apply properly the procedures established for the vessel regarding the opening, closing and securing of bow, stern and side doors and ramps and to correctly operate the related systems.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Procedures and actions are in accordance the proper closing of all openings.

Information on mechanical design of hull openings.
Legislation, codes and agreements affecting passenger-carrying vessels
  • Ability to understand and apply international and national requirements for passenger-carrying vessels relevant to the vessels concerned and the duties to be performed.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Description of the legislative requirements.

Company’s internal policies relating to legislative requirements.
Stability and stress requirements and limitations
  • Ability to take proper account of stress limitations for sensitive parts of the vessel such as bow doors and other closing devices that maintain watertight integrity and of special stability considerations which may affect the safety of passenger-carrying vessels.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Information on the vessel’s specifics relating to loading stresses.

Procedures and actions are in accordance with the proper closing of all openings.
Procedures for the maintenance of special equipment on passenger-carrying vessels
  • Ability to apply properly the shipboard procedures for maintenance of equipment peculiar to passenger-carrying vessels such as, bow, stern and side doors and ramps, scuppers and associated systems.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Procedures for maintenance of particular equipment.

Operational procedures of such particular equipment.
Loading and cargo securing manuals and calculators
  • Ability to make proper use of the loading and securing manuals in respect of all types of vehicles and rail cars where applicable, and to calculate and apply stress limitations for vehicle decks.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Procedures for loading and securing of vehicles on deck.

Information on deck’s limitations.
Dangerous cargo areas
  • Ability to ensure proper observance of special precautions and limitations applying to designated dangerous cargo areas.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Procedures and legislative requirements relating to special precautions and limitations for designated dangerous cargo areas and dangerous cargoes.
Emergency procedures
  • Ability to ensure proper application of any special procedures to:
    1. prevent or reduce the ingress of water on vehicle decks;
    2. remove water from vehicle decks;
    3. minimize effects of water on vehicle decks.
Assessment of evidence obtained from training, exercises and practical demonstration. Procedures and deck’s fitting preventing accumulation of water on vehicle deck.

Information on adverse conditions created by water on vehicle deck.

Table 7 – Passenger Safety, Cargo Safety and Hull Integrity Training for Ro-Ro Passenger vessels

Passengers safety, cargo and hull integrity for masters, mates, chief engineer officers, second engineer officers and persons assigned immediate responsibility for embarking and disembarking passengers, loading, discharging or securing cargo or for closing hull openings, shall at least ensure attainment of the abilities that are appropriate to their duties and responsibilities as follows:

COMPETENCE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF COMPETENCE
Loading and embarking procedures
  • Ability to apply properly the procedures established for the vessel regarding:
    1. loading and discharging vehicles, rail cars and other cargo transport units, including related communications;
    2. lowering and hoisting ramps;
    3. setting and stowing retractable vehicle decks; and
    4. embarking and disembarking passengers with special attention to disabled persons and persons needing assistance.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, exercises and practical demonstration. Loading and discharging procedures established for various vehicles.

Information on ramps and
retractable decks.

Embarking and disembarking procedures for persons needing assistance.
Carriage of dangerous goods Ability to apply any special safeguards, procedures and requirements regarding the carriage of dangerous goods on board passenger-carrying vessels. Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, exercises and practical demonstration. Loading, stowage and unloading procedures of dangerous goods in designated zones.
Securing cargoes
  • Ability to apply correctly the provisions of the Code of Safe Practice for Stowage and Securing to the vehicles, rail cars and other cargo transport units carried;
  • Ability to use properly the cargo securing equipment and materials provided, taking into account their limitations.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, exercises and practical demonstration. Procedures for securing all types of vehicles.

Information on the use of various securing equipments.
Stability, trim and stress calculations
  • Ability to make proper use of the stability and stress information provided;
  • Ability to calculate stability and trim for different conditions of loading using the stability calculators or computer programs provided;
  • Ability to calculate load factors for decks;
  • Ability to calculate the impact of ballast and fuel transfers on stability, trim and stress.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, exercises and practical demonstration. Calculations of stability and stress in accordance with the vessel’s stability.
Opening, closing and securing hull openings
  • Ability to apply properly the procedures established for the vessel regarding the opening, closing and securing of bow, stern and side doors and ramps and to correctly operate the associated systems; and
  • Ability to conduct surveys on proper sealing.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, exercises and practical demonstration. Procedures for secure closing of all hull openings.

Information on mechanical design of the openings.
Ro-Ro deck atmosphere
  • Ability to use equipment, where carried, to monitor atmosphere in Ro-Ro cargo spaces; and
  • Ability to apply properly the procedures established for the vessel for ventilation of cargo spaces during loading and discharging of vehicles, while on voyage and in emergencies.
Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training, exercises and practical demonstration. Procedures for the maintenance of adequate ventilation.

Information, on atmospheric monitoring equipment.
Date modified:
2012-02-27