Maritime Education Associates (MEA)

(SVOPC) Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Certificate:
Commercial Vessels to 15 gross tons

A course which provides basic theoretical knowledge to persons with specified practical skills and experience in commercial (non-recreational) power driven vessels. On completion of the course the student will have developed the skill and knowledge to take charge of a vessel under 15 gross tons operating in designated waters. The syllabus is based upon the Transport Canada Transport Canada - Small Vessel Operator Training & Certification - Non-Pleasure / Fishing Syllabus.

What is a Small Commercial Vessel?

A Small Vessel is generally defined as a vessel of less than 150 gross tons or 24 metres. However, within the meaning of this certificate, a:

• Small Commercial Fishing Vessel is 12 metres or less length overall, or 15 tons gross.
• Small Commercial Vessel, other than fishing vessel or passenger vessel is approximately 8 metres or less length overall or 5 gross tons.
• Small Commercial Passenger Vessel carrying at least one (1) passenger is 8 metres or less, or 5 gross tons.

Vessel Trading Limits Fishing Vessel Under 15 gross tons

The SVOPC will be valid for the operators of commercial fishing vessels under 12 metres and 15 tons gross trading within Near Coastal two (2) limits up to 25 miles offshore (Gulf of Georgia etc) & Sheltered Waters (ie. bays, rivers and harbour limits and minor waters).

Small Commercial Non-Passenger Vessel

The SVOPC will be valid for the operators of a small non-passenger commercial vessel. This may be a fish farm utility boat, a small trading vessel or patrol vessel (Canadian Coast Guard, Police, Conservation, Fireboats and Fisheries vessels, etc.) under 8 metres LOA and 5 gross tons operating in Home Trade 4 and minor waters limits. THE LICENSE IS NOT VALID FOR A VESSEL OF ANY SIZE ENGAGED IN TOWING.

Small Passenger Vessel

A small passenger vessel is a vessel under 8 metres or 5 gross tons carrying at least 1 passenger on Near Coastal two and sheltered water voyages.

Age Limits

Minimum 18 years of age.

Prerequisites

1. Marine Emergency Duty A3
2. Marine Basic First Aid or any basic first aid certificate issued by a competent authority
3. Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (Radio license) but only if the vessel exceeds 8 metres and operates into Near Coast 2 waters.

Course Schedule

Introduction

Introduction and Scope of Certificate

Terminology

Be aware of basic operating terminology of a small vessel

Vessel Type Recognition

Identify vessel types and hull configurations

General Seamanship

• Wires, Ropes, both synthetic and natural fiber
• Principal Knots and Splices and their use
• Mooring a vessel; Use of Fenders
• Identify different type of small vessel anchors and their respective performance
• Recognize what constitutes a good anchorage
• Procedures for deploying, riding too and weighing an anchor

Collision Regulations

• Fundamental knowledge of Steaming and Sailing regulations
• Basic knowledge of lights and shapes to be displayed by vessels
• Basic knowledge of the sound signals to be used in poor visibility

Stability

• Basic knowledge of stability with regard to load/discharging a vessel and an appreciation for the requirements for proper stowage of equipment and cargo
• Free surface effect of water and liquids
• Effects of ice on a vessel
• Effects on the Trim of a vessel of loading or moving weights
• Principals of Freeboard and the effect of moving between fresh and salt water
• Fresh Water Allowance
• Be familiar with the importance of Water-Tight integrity

Safety

• Appreciation of the need to maintain a 'Shipshape' vessel
• Know and appreciate the risks involved with:
• Working Aloft
• Entering confined spaces
• Working with and signaling for a crane operator
• Refueling & refueling procedures

Marine Weather

• Identify sources of marine weather reports and the reliability of these sources.
• Identify the Beaufort Scale and appreciate wind and sea sate and their relevance to the operation of a small commercial vessel.
• Be familiar with the impact on vessel loading and operations of:
• Thunderstorms
• Ice
• Small Craft Warning
• Local phenomena - Outflow winds, Qualicum Winds, Gap Winds etc.

Navigation

Knowledge of Navigational Equipment including:

• Nautical Chart
• Magnetic Compass
• Geographical Positioning System (GPS)
• Radar

Demonstrate knowledge of:

• Reading the nautical chart
• Plotting a GPS / Loran position by Latitude and Longitude
• Plotting a position by Radar range and bearing
• Ability to read and / or plot courses and measure distance on a nautical chart

Demonstrate an appreciation for the requirement to carry nautical charts.

Demonstrate ability to use nautical publications:

• Tide and Current Tables
• List of Lights
• Notices to Mariners

Demonstrate and ability to recognize and apply the Canadian Buoyage system.

Recognize and appreciate to significance of "Diver" flags

Vessel Operation

Show an appreciation for the controls of a small power driven vessel including:

• Tiller or Wheel control
• The principles of single engine or twin engine operation
• Engine start-up / shut down procedures.
• Casting off, manoeuvering away from the dock, approaching a dock and tying up.
• Vessels turning circle, Safe speed in restricted visibility and stopping distance

Emergency procedures in the event of:

• Engine failure
• Grounding / leaking / flooding
• Man overboard
• Capsize
• Fire

Search & Rescue

Knowledge of the Search and Rescue Resources in your operating area.

Demonstrate:

• Use of the VHF radio and proper operating procedure.
• Knowledge of the radio Distress, Urgency and Safety prefixes
• An appreciation when to initiate a distress / urgent /or safety communication
• Appreciate the resources that are activated when a distress signal is transmitted.
• Understand your responsibility when hearing or responding to a distress signal

Environmental Responsibilities

A basic appreciation for the:

• Oil Pollution Regulations
• Sewage Regulations for none pleasure craft
• Garbage Pollution Prevention Regulations
• Marine Mammals Protection Act
• Incident Reporting

Quick Reference Checklists

Appreciation for the benefits to operational safety of using the following checklists:

• a daily maintenance list
• weekly maintenance list
• safety gear checklist
• engine start procedure list
• pre-departure equipment check list
• post voyage review
• fueling safety list.

Course Duration The MED A1 course is 24 hours in duration, with approximately 16 hours of pre-reading assignments. Courses run from 0830 to 1630 hrs daily (8:30 am to 4:30 pm). However, applicants should check on course times when registering. Additional Requirements Marine Emergency Duties A3 (MED A3) (info here) ROC-MC Radio Certificate (info here) Basic First Aid or equivalent Attendance The learner is required to attend a minimum of 90% of the course. Learners attending a minimum of 21.6 hours plus time for the written assessment, and successfully passing a multiple choice test at the completion of the course will be awarded a Transport Canada SVOP Training Certificate. Class Size Maritime Education Associates SVOPC courses will have a maximum of 18 persons in all practical components of the course.