Government of Canada navigation bar

Symbol of the Government of Canada

Primary site navigation bar

General

Previous Page | Next Page

1.1 Background

  1. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers, as amended (STCW Convention), provides standards regarding emergency, occupational safety and survival functions in Chapter VI of the mandatory Code “A”.
  2. This document describes the revisions to Canadian Marine Emergency Duties (MED) training courses. The revisions are being made in order to align the MED courses with the requirements of Regulation VI of the STCW Convention and Chapter VI of the STCW Code.

1.2 Objectives

  1. Compliance with the above standards to meet mandatory minimum requirements for familiarization, basic safety training and instruction for all seafarers, training in advanced firefighting for seafarers designated to control firefighting operations, and knowledge of how to launch and take charge of a survival craft in emergency situations.

1.3 Goals

  1. To provide seafarers with an understanding of the hazards associated with the marine environment and with their vessel.
  2. To provide, through approved shore-based courses, training in the skills which seafarers require to cope with such hazards, to an extent appropriate to their functions on board.

1.4 Implementation

  1. With the coming into force of the Marine Personnel Regulations, there are two “streams” of Marine Emergency Duties training: training for the crews of small domestic vessels and applicants for certificates of competency not subject to the Convention, and training which is fully compliant with the Convention, intended for the crews of large vessels, and vessels and applicants for certificates of competency subject to the Convention. The main reason for separating the two streams is that STCW Regulation VI/1 regarding Basic Safety requires extensive firefighting training which is beyond the requirements of small domestic vessels and would impose an onerous training expense on the small vessel industry.
  2. Under the Crewing Regulations, recognized institutions offered the following courses approved by Marine Safety:
    1. Basic Safety (MED A1);
    2. Small Vessel Safety (MED A2);
    3. Small Non-Pleasure Vessel Basic Safety (MED A3);
    4. Sheltered Non-Pleasure Small Vessel Basic Safety and Operator Proficiency (MED A4);
    5. Small Seasonal Passenger Vessel Safety (certificated personnel);
    6. Small Seasonal Passenger Vessel Safety (non-certificated personnel);
    7. Survival Craft (MED B1);
    8. Marine Firefighting (MED B2);
    9. Marine Emergency Duties for Officers (MED C);
    10. Marine Emergency Duties for Senior Officers (MED D).
  3. With the regulatory reform, the following courses are now available:
    1. MED not subject to the STCW Convention:
      1. Basic Safety (MED A1);
      2. Small Passenger-carrying Vessel Safety (MED A2);
      3. Small Non-Pleasure Vessel Basic Safety (MED A3);
      4. Small Seasonal Passenger-carrying Vessel Safety (certificated personnel);
      5. Small Seasonal Passenger-carrying Vessel Safety (non-certificated personnel).
    2. MED subject to the STCW Convention:
      1. STCW Basic Safety (STCW Regulation VI/1 and STCW Code Section A-VI/1.2);
      2. Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats (STCW Regulation VI/2.1 and STCW Code Section A-VI/2-1);
      3. Advanced Firefighting (STCW Regulation VI/3 and STCW Code Section A-VI/3);
      4. MED for Senior Officers (MED D).

Previous Page | Next Page

Date modified:
2010-01-19