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5. The Examination and Certification of Seafarers - TP 2293 E
6. Chapter 4 - Examination Schedules and Passing Grades

Chapter 4 - Examination Schedules and Passing Grades

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• 4.1 Reference to regulations
• 4.2 Order of examinations
• 4.3 Passing grades
• 4.4 Schedules
• 4.5 Oral, practical and simulator-based examinations
• 4.6 Specimen examination papers
• 4.7 Examinations passed before the coming into force of the Regulations

General

4.1 Reference to regulations

1. The examinations that must be written for a particular certificate and the prerequisites to attempt a particular examination are specified in the Marine Personnel Regulations. Tables I to VI below summarize the list of examinations for each certificate of competency.
2. For the purpose of establishing eligibility, applicants must also refer to Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of this TP.

4.2 Order of examinations

For the purpose of establishing the order of taking examinations, applicants must refer to the specific requirements set out in the Regulations for each certificate; where no order is prescribed, the applicant may take the examinations in any order.

4.3 Passing grades

1. The passing grade for each of the following nautical written examinations is 70 per cent:
   1. Navigation safety, levels 1 and 2;
   2. Celestial navigation, levels 1 and 2;
   3. Navigation systems and instruments;
   4. Deviascope;
   5. Ship management, levels 1 to 4;
   6. Ship construction and stability, levels 1 to 5;
   7. Cargo, levels 1 to 3;
   8. Engineering knowledge, levels 1 and 2;
   9. Meteorology, level 1 and level 2;
   10. Simulated electronic navigation (SIM), level 1 and level 2;
   11. Chartwork and pilotage, level 1 and level 2;
   12. General ship knowledge, level 1 to level 3;
   13. General seamanship.
2. The passing grade for the part of the communications examination, level 2, that evaluates knowledge and skills with respect to receiving information is 90 per cent and the cumulative passing grade for the written part and the part that evaluates knowledge and skills with respect to sending information is 70 per cent. The passing grade for the part on English language and Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary is 70 per cent. An applicant must successfully read a Morse code light at a speed of four words per minute.
3. The passing grade for any examination other than those referred above is 60 per cent.

Examination Schedules

4.4 Schedules

1. Applicants must make arrangement with the examiner and present themselves at the examination center according to the scheduled time and date of the examination. An applicant who does not appear for examination at the appointed time will forfeit the examination fee.
2. Examinations for captain, mate and engineer certificates will be delivered according to the timetables set out in tables VII and VIII; special schedule can be arranged with the approval from the manager of the examination center.
3. An examiner who is authorised to deliver an examination outside the pre-determined timetable may contact the Marine Personnel standards and Pilotage Directorate in Ottawa in order to obtain a special set of examination questions.

Table I – Nautical Certificates Examinations

Subject	Communications (COM)		Chartwork & Pilotage (C/P)		Celestrial Navigation (ASTRO)	Navigation System & Instruments (NS/I)	Deviascope (DEV)	Navigation Safety (NS)		Meteorology (MET)		Ship Management (SM)			Ship Construction & Stability (SCS)			Cargo (CG)			Engineering Knowledge (EK)		General Ship Knowledge (GSK)	Simulated Electronic Navigation (SIM)	General Seamanship (ORAL)
Certificate
Level	1	2	1	2	2	N/A	N/A	1	2	1	2	2	3	4	3	4	5	1	2	3	1	2	3	1	2
Master Mariner	X	X			X	X	X		X		X		X	X		X Note1	X			X		X			X	X
Master, Near Coastal	X	X				X			X		X		X	X		X Note1	X			X		X			X	X
Master 3000T, Near Coastal	X	X							X		X		X			X Note1			X Note2		X				X	X
Master 500T Near Coastal		X								X		X			X Note1			X Note2			X				X	X
Master 3000T Domestic	X	X							X		X		X			X Note1			X Note2		X				X	X
Master 500T Domestic	X									X		X			X			X			X				X	X
Master 150T Domestic				X				X		X					X								X			X
Chief Mate					X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X			X Note1				X	X				X	X
Chief Mate, Near Coastal						X			X		X		X			X Note1				X	X				X	X
Watchkeeping Mate	X	X		X	X			X		X						X			X				X	X		X
Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal	X	X		X				X		X						X			X				X	X		X
Chief Mate 500T, Domestic
Chief Mate 150T, Domestic

Note 1: Not required if the applicant has passed Stability exam 113 and Ship Construction and cargo exam 122 for a certificate obtained under the previous Marine Certification Regulations or Masters and Mates Regulations.
Note 2: Not required if the applicant has passed Ship construction and cargo exam 122 for a certificate obtained under the previous Marine Certification Regulations or Masters and Mates Regulations.

Table II – Master and Chief Mate, Limited, Examinations

SUBJECT	CHARTWORK & PILOTAGE	NAVIGATION SAFETY	SHIP MANAGEMENT	SHIP CONSTRUCTION & STABILITY		MASTER (WRITTEN)		FIRST MATE (WRITTEN)		ORAL AND/OR PRACTICAL (MASTER)		ORAL AND/OR PRACTICAL (CHIEF MATE)
CERTIFICATE
	C/P	NS	SM	SCS		CLW		1MLW		CLO		1MLO
	1	1	2	3	4	≥ 60 GT	< 60 GT	≥ 60 GT	< 60 GT	≥ 60 GT	< 60 GT	≥ 60 GT	< 60 GT
Master Vessel ≥ 60 GT	X	X	X	X* (tug or cargo)	X* (Ro-Ro passenger)	X				X
Master Vessel < 60 GT							X				X
Chief Mate Vessel ≥ 60 GT	X	X	X	X* (tug or cargo)	X* (Ro-Ro passenger)			X				X
Chief Mate Vessel < 60 GT									X				X

Table III – Fishing Master Certificates Examinations

SUBJECT	COMMUNICATIONS		CHARTWORK & PILOTAGE		CELESTIAL NAVIGATION	NAVIGATION SAFETY		METEOROLOGY		SHIP CONSTRUCTION & STABILITY		SHIP MANAGEMENT		GENERAL SHIP KNOWLEDGE		SIMULATED ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION		GENERAL SEAMANSHIP
CERTIFICATE
	COM		C/P		ASTRO	NS		MET		SCS		SM		GSK		SIM		ORAL
	1	2	1	2	1	1	2	1	2	1	2	1	2	1	2	1	2
Master, First-class	X	X			X		X		X		X	X			X		X	X
Master, Second-class	X							X			X	X		X		X		X
Master, Third-class	X			X		X		X			X			X				X
Master, Fourth-class			X			X				X								X

Table IV – Engineering Certificates Examinations

SUBJECT	PROPULSION SIMULATOR	APPLIED MATHEMATICS	APPLIED MECHANICS	THERMODINAMICS	TECHNICAL DRAWING	ELECTROTECHNOLOGY	NAVAL ARCHITECTURE	GENERAL ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE	ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE OF MOTOR VESSELS	ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE OF STEAMSHIPS	PRACTICAL	ORALS
CERTIFICATE
First-class Motor	2		X	X		X	X	X	X			X
First-class Steam	2		X	X		X	X	X		X		X
Second-class Motor	2		X	X	X	X	X	X	X			X
Second-class Steam	2		X	X	X	X	X	X		X		X
Third-class Motor	1	X	X	X		X		X	X			X
Third-class Steam	1	X	X	X		X		X		X		X
Fourth-class Motor	1							X	X			X
Fourth-class Steam	1							X		X		X
Chief Engineer endorsement, Motor or Steam	2
Second Engineer endorsement, Motor or Steam	1
Watchkeeping Eng. MDFV	1							X	X			X
Small Vessel Machinery Operator								X			X Vessel specific	X
ACV Class 1								X
ACV Class 2								X

Table V – Ratings & Specialized Personnel Examinations

SUBJECT	WRITTEN EXAMINATION	PRATICAL EXAMINATION	ORAL EXAMINATION
CERTIFICATE
Restricted Proficiency in Survival Craft		Ship’s specific lifesaving apparatus, appliances and equipment
High Speed Craft Type Rating	The examination set out in section 18.3.3 of the HSC Code for the craft and route (if available)	The examination set out in section 18.3.3 of the HSC Code for the craft and route	The examination set out in section 18.3.3 of the HSC Code for the craft and route (if written not available)
Air cushion Vehicle Type Rating	General Knowledge of ACV’s and ACV and route (if available)	The examination set out in section 18.3.3 of the HSC Code for the ACV and route	The examination set out in section 18.3.3 of the HSC Code for the ACV and route (if written not available)
Able Seafarer	General seamanship W-AS	General seamanship O-AS
Bridge Watch rating	General seamanship BWR
Engine-room Rating	Duties of an engine-room rating (ERR-W) or oral		Duties of an engine-room rating (ERR) or written
Ship’s Cook	Duties of a ship’s cook	Duties of a ship’s cook*
Compass Adjuster	Magnetic compass adjustment

* Except for an applicant who has successfully completed an approved cooking course or who holds a cook certificate recognized by a province

Table VI – MOU Certificates Examinations

SUBJECT	Technical Drawing	APPLIED MECHANICS	THERMODINAMICS	LECTROTECHNOLOGY	NAVAL ARCHITECTURE	PROPULSION SIMULATOR	GENERAL ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE	ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE OF MOTOR VESSELS	METEROLOGY, LEVEL 2	NAVIGATION SAFETY, LEVEL 1	ORAL
CERTIFICATE
Offshore Installation Manager MOU/surface									X *	X	General Seamanship MOU/surface
Offshore Installation Manager MOU/self-elevating									X *	X	General Seamanship MOU/self-elevating
Barge Supervisor, MOU/surface											General Seamanship MOU/surface
Barge Supervisor, MOU/self-elevating									X *	X	General Seamanship MOU/self-elevating
Maintenance Supervisor, MOU/surface	2nd Class	1st Class	1st Class	1st Class	1st Class	2	1st Class	1st Class			MOU/surface
Maintenance Supervisor, MOU/self-elevating				3rd Class			3rd Class	3rd Class			MOU/self-elevating

* Examination may be substituted with an approved training course

Table VII – Nautical Examinations

	Month
	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
	Week of the month
BLOCK A COM 1, C/P 1, CG 1, CG 3, EK 1, EK 2, GSK 3, MET 1, NS 1, NS/I, SCS 3, SCS 5, SM 2, SM 4	2	1 and 3	1 and 3	1	2	2	2	X	2	2	2	2

BLOCK A		Examination	Code
First business day of the week	A.M.	Cargo, level 1 Chartwork & Pilotage, level 1	CG 1 C/P 1
	P.M.	Ship Management, level 4 Meteorology, level 1	SM 4 MET 1
Second business day of the week	A.M.	Ship Construction & Stability, level 3 Ship Construction & stability, level 5	SCS 3 SCS 5
	P.M.	Cargo, level 3 Ship Management, level 2	CG 3 SM 2
Third business day of the week	A.M.	Engineering Knowledge, level 2 Navigation Systems & Instruments, level 1	EK 2 NS/ I
	P.M.	Engineering Knowledge, level 1 General Ship Knowledge, level 3	EK 1 GSK 3
Fourth business day of the week	A.M.	Navigation Safety, level 1	NS 1
	P.M.	Communications, level 1	COM 1

 

	Month
	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
	Week of the month
BLOCK B ASTRO 1, ASTRO 2, C/P 2, CG 2, GSK 1, GSK 2, MET 2, NS 2, SCS 1, SCS 2, SCS 4, SM 1, SM 3	4	2 and 4	2 and 4	2	4	4	4	X	4	4	4	3

BLOCK A		Examination	Code
First business day of the week	A.M.	Chartwork & Pilotage, level 2 General Ship Knowledge, level 2 Ship Management, level 3	C/P 2 GSK 2 SM 3
	P.M.	Meteorology, level 2	MET 2
Second business day of the week	A.M.	Ship Construction & Stability, level 2 Ship Construction & Stability, level 4	SCS 2 SCS 4
	P.M.	Cargo, level 2	CG 2
Third business day of the week	A.M.	Celestial Navigation, level 1 Celestial Navigation, level 2 General Ship Knowledge, level 1	ASTRO 1 ASTRO 2 GSK 1
	P.M.	Ship Management, level 1	SM 1
Fourth business day of the week	A.M.	Navigation Safety, level 2	NS 2
	P.M.	Ship Construction & Stability, level 1	SCS 1

COM 2, 1MLW, CLW, and all others such as Able seafarer (AS-W), Bridge watch rating (BWR), Ship’s cook and Type rating endorsements are held only on appointment with the examiner.
Fishing Master examinations are held on appointment only when the examiner is travelling to a location to administer the examinations.

Table VIII – Engineering Examinations

Day	Morning	Afternoon
First-class
Monday		General engineering knowledge
Tuesday	Engineering knowledge of motor ships	Engineering knowledge of steamships
Wednesday	Applied Mechanics	Thermodynamics
Thursday	Naval Architecture	Electrotechnology
Second-class
Monday		General engineering knowledge
Tuesday	Engineering knowledge of motor ships	Engineering knowledge of steamships
Wednesday	Applied Mechanics	Thermodynamics
Thursday	Naval Architecture	Electrotechnology
Friday	Technical Drawing
Third-class
Monday	Applied Mathematics	General engineering knowledge
Tuesday	Engineering knowledge of motor ships	Engineering knowledge of steamships
Wednesday		Thermodynamics
Thursday		Electrotechnology
Fourth-class
Monday		General engineering knowledge
Tuesday	Engineering knowledge of motor ships	Engineering knowledge of steamships
Watchkeeping Engineer, Motor-driven Fishing Vessel
Wednesday	General engineering knowledge	Engineering knowledge of MDFV’s
Small Vessel Machinery Operator
Wednesday	Engineering knowledge of small vessels

Examinations for all other certificates or endorsements such as Engine-room rating and Type rating endorsements are held only on appointment with the examiner.

4.5 Oral, practical and simulator-based examinations

The oral examinations and the following practical and simulator-based examinations are held only on appointment with the examiner. An applicant who does not appear for examination at the appointed time will forfeit the examination fee.

1. On-board practical examination (Master and Chief Mate, limited);
2. Examination on lifesaving apparatus and equipment (restricted proficiency in survival craft);
3. Examinations for ACV and HSC Type rating certificates;
4. General seamanship (Able seafarer);
5. Duties of a ship’s cook;
6. Simulated electronic navigation, SIM level 1 and level 2;
7. Propulsion plant simulator, management and watchkeeping practices;
8. Engineering knowledge of small vessels,
9. Deviascope

4.6 Specimen examination papers

Specimen examination papers can be obtained from a Marine Safety examination center.

4.7 Examinations passed before the coming into force of the Regulations

An applicant who passed an examination before the coming into force of the Marine Personnel Regulations and whose passing grade is still valid under Section 113 of the Regulations receives for this examination a credit indicated in table IX.

Examination passed	Credit
011	COM 1
012	COM 1 and COM 2
040	C/P 1
041	C/P 1 and C/P 2
050	ASTRO 1
051	ASTRO 1 and ASTRO 2
023 and 052-A	NS/I
052-B	DEV
061	NS 1 *
062	NS 2 *
072	MET 1
073	MET 1 and MET 2
099	SM 1
090	SM 2
092	SM 2 and SM 3
093	SM 4
110	SCS 3
111	SCS 2
112	SCS 2 and SCS 3
113 and 122	SCS 3 and SCS 4
114 and 133	SCS 5
122	CG 1 and CG 2
123	CG 1, CG 2 and CG 3
134	EK1 and EK 2
157	GSK 1
158	GSK 2

Credits for NS 1 (061) and NS 2 (062) are conditional to the examination having being written after March 1983.

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Date modified:

2012-02-27

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