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Chapter 33 - Small Vessel Machinery Operator

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General

33.1 General Requirements

The general requirements for a certificate as Small Vessel Machinery Operator are listed in section 151 of the Marine Personnel Regulations.

33.2 Validity of certificates

  1. The holder of a certificate issued under subsection 151(1) may act as chief engineer or watchkeeping engineer on a motor vessel, with the restrictions described in Table 1.

    Table I

    Voyage Sheltered waters and limited Near Coastal class 2 Sheltered waters and limited Near Coastal class 2, less than 6 hours duration No more than five nautical miles from a sheltered dock
    Type of Vessel
    Passenger Less than 750 kW Less than 1500 kW
    See note 1     		N/A
    Cargo N/A Less than 2000 kW See note 2 N/A
    Tug N/A Less than 3000 kW See note 3 Tug less than 500 GRT See note 4

    Note 1. Subject to conditions set out in the Marine Personnel Regulations, subsection 219 (2).
    Note 2. Subject to conditions set out in the Marine Personnel Regulations, subsection 220 (2).
    Note 3. Subject to conditions set out in the Marine Personnel Regulations, subsection 221 (2).
    Note 4. Subject to conditions set out in the Marine Personnel Regulations, subsection 221 (3).

  2. The holder of a certificate issued under subsection 151(2) may act as chief engineer or watchkeeping engineer only on a motor-driven vessel that carries a passenger, that is specified on the certificate and that has a propulsive power of less than 750 kW.

Syllabuses of Examinations

33.3 General engineering knowledge of small vessels (examination code: SVMO-G)

  1. The examination consists of 60 multiple-choice questions.
  2. The examination is of 2 hours’ duration.
Subject Required knowledge
Construction materials Materials and the ability to distinguish between the following common types: steel, cast iron, copper, zinc, brass, aluminum, plastics, and resins.
Recognition of fire hazards Storage and handling of various flammable liquids and solids.
Safety and fire equipment Identification and operation of: fire doors, water-tight doors, ventilation closures, detection devices; alarms, alarm systems, engine-room alarm systems and the ability to distinguish between various alarms (with special reference to fire extinguishing gas alarms); fire pumps, sprinkler and smothering systems; escape routes from machinery spaces; location and operation of external emergency machinery stops, fuel valve extensions; sprinkler and smothering release systems.
Safe working
practices 		Work procedures and precautions necessary to prevent hazards and maintain safe working conditions.
Pollution prevention Basic principles of pollution-prevention laws and regulations applicable to Canadian ships; pollution-prevention procedures, including fuelling operations, discharge of bilge and ballast water, and operation of oily-water separators.
Pumps Identification and operation of reciprocating pumps, centrifugal pumps, screw pumps and displacement gear pumps.
Piping Identification and operation of bilge and ballast systems, fuel and lubricating oil systems, valves, drains, traps and other fittings; precautions to be observed in the operation of piping systems with regard to pipe expansion, water hammer, cross connections, venting and overflow, and routine pumping operations.
Power transmission Identify intermediate and propeller shafts, shaft bearings, couplings, gear types and gear trains.
Steering gears Identification, operation and routine checks of mechanical and hydraulic steering gears, and emergency steering arrangements.
Underwater fittings Identification of: rudders, fixed and variable pitch propellers, stern glands, sea suction and discharge valves and mounting points on the hull.
Deck machinery Identification and operation of windlasses, capstans, and winches.
Fuels All types of fuels used on ships: storage, transfer, heating, filtration and purification of fuels.
Lubricants Storage, transfer, heating, cooling, filtration, purification and disposal of lubricants; types of lubricants and their application.
Cooling systems Identification and operation of air and liquid cooling systems.
Electricity Identification of measurement and protective devices: voltmeter, ammeter, ohmmeter, earth lamps, fuses, circuit breakers; generators, alternators and motors; electric circuits: alarm circuits, navigation-light circuits, light circuits, main and emergency light and power circuits, battery circuits, and precautions.
Hydraulic systems Identification and operation of pumps, motors, piping, fittings, control devices and hydraulic fluids.
Pneumatic systems Identification and operation of compressors, air receivers, heat exchangers, filters, piping, fittings, control devices; precautions and safeguards necessary to prevent fires and explosions.
Internal combustion engines Basic construction of internal combustion engines; identification of fuel systems, including fuel injection pumps, fuel injectors and carburettors; cooling and lubricating systems; starting devices and ignition systems; recognition and correction of malfunctions; precautions and safeguards necessary to prevent crankcase explosions.
Watchkeeping procedures Routine duties associated with a watch, recording of significant readings and understanding of their importance; routine duties carried out during a watch; recording accidents to machinery and hull; recording and calculating a ship’s fuel supply; routine starting and stopping of machinery, and emergency stopping of machinery.

33.4 Oral examination (examination code: SVMO-O)

  1. The examination is of indefinite duration; it applies to applicants to the certificate issued under subsection 151(2).
  2. The oral examination is based on:
Subject Required knowledge
Use of official language Adequate knowledge of one of the official languages to enable the operator to perform watch duties and report on machinery operation; ability to communicate clearly and understand others.
Watchkeeping procedures and related routine duties Procedure for conducting a watch; terms used in machinery spaces and names of machinery and equipment; routine duties carried out during a watch; recording of movements and activities related to engine-room machinery; recording of significant readings and understanding of their importance; use of appropriate internal communication systems.
Safe working practices Work procedures and precautions necessary to prevent hazards and maintain safe working conditions; safe working practices as related to engine-room operations; recognition of hazards; precautions before entering enclosed spaces.
Safety and emergency procedures Safety precautions to be observed during a watch; immediate action to be taken in the event of an emergency; knowledge of the emergency procedure to follow in case of systems failure; engine-room alarm systems and ability to distinguish between various alarms.
Prevent, control and fight fire on board Knowledge of fire prevention measures; ability to participate in fire drills; knowledge of class of fire and chemistry of fires; knowledge of fire-fighting systems; action to be taken in the event of a fire, including oil system fires.
Operate lifesaving appliance Ability to participate in abandon ship drills and knowledge of the operation of survival craft and rescue boats, their launching devices and equipment; action in response to abandon ship and survival situations appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions and complies with accepted safety practices and standards.
Fire equipment Identification and operation of fire doors, water-tight doors, ventilation closures, detection devices; alarms, alarm systems, engine-room alarm systems and the ability to distinguish between various alarms (with special reference to fire extinguishing gas alarms); fire pumps, sprinkler and smothering systems; escape routes from machinery spaces; location and operation of external emergency machinery stops and fuel valve extensions; trigger mechanisms of fire extinguishing systems.
Pollution prevention Basic principles of pollution prevention laws and regulations applicable to Canadian ships; pollution prevention procedures, including fuelling operations, discharge of bilge and ballast water; knowledge of the precautions to be taken to prevent pollution of marine environment; procedure for monitoring shipboard operations and ensuring compliance with requirements.
Internal combustion engines Basic knowledge of an internal combustion engines construction; identification of elements: cylinder head, liner, crankcase, rocker arm, valves, fuel systems including fuel pumps and injectors; cooling and lubricating systems; starting devices and ignition systems; precautions and safeguards necessary to prevent crankcase explosions.
Main and auxiliary machinery and associated control systems Preparation of main and auxiliary machinery for operation: operations are planned and carried out in accordance with established rules and procedures to ensure safety of operations and prevent pollution of marine environment; the output of machinery and systems consistently meets requirements, including bridge order relating to change in speed and direction; location of common engine room machinery malfunctions, and action necessary to prevent damage.
Pumping systems and associated control systems Operations are planned and carried out in accordance with established rules and procedures to ensure safety of operation and avoid pollution of marine environment; routine pumping operations; operation of bilge, ballast and cargo pumping systems.
Alternators, generators and control systems Operations are planned and carried out in accordance with established rules and procedures to ensure safety of operation; appropriate basic electrotechnical knowledge and skills; preparation of starting, coupling and changing over alternators; location of common faults and action to prevent damage to generating plant or control systems; power failure and emergency power procedure.
Fuels Basic knowledge of fuels used on ships; type of fuel, storage, transfer, heating, filtration and purification.
Lubricants Basic knowledge of lubricants used on ships; types of lubricant, storage, transfer, heating, cooling, filtration, purification and disposal of lubricants.
Cooling systems Identification and operation of air and liquid cooling systems.
Hydraulic systems Identification and operation of pumps, motors, piping, fittings, control devices and hydraulic fluids.
Electricity Identification of measurement and protective devices: voltmeter, ammeter, ohmmeter, earth lamps, fuses, circuit breakers; generators, alternators and motors; electric circuits: alarm circuits, navigation-light circuits, main and emergency power and light circuits; battery-powered circuits, and precautions.
Pneumatic systems Basic knowledge, identification and operation of compressors, air receivers, heat exchangers, filters, piping, fittings, control devices; precautions and safeguards necessary to prevent fires and explosions.
Compliance with legislative requirement. Basic knowledge of the Canada Shipping Act 2001 relating to:
  • Steering appliances and equipment;
  • Life Saving Equipment, Fire-Fighting Equipment, Boat and Fire Drill, Fire Detection and Extinguishing Equipment;
  • Dangerous Goods, Oil Pollution Prevention, Sewage Pollution Prevention, Garbage Pollution Prevention, Pollutant Discharge Reporting;
  • Safe Working Practices, Shipping Casualties Reporting;
  • Crewing requirements.

33.5 Practical examination (examination code: SVMO-P)

  1. The practical examination takes place on board the vessel and is of indefinite duration; it is based on the same syllabus as the oral examination, but is limited to the vessel’s specific equipment. This examination applies to applicants to the certificate issued under subsection 151(2).

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Date modified:
2010-01-21