Important Note

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The purpose of this Guideline is to assist the owners of small powered non-pleasure vessels to complete their Small Vessel Detailed Compliance Report (Form 85-0475E). Each guidance note is associated with a question on the Small Vessel Detailed Compliance Report, a copy of which can be found at https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/4/SVCP-PCPB/eng/Home.

These Guidelines do not replace the regulations and the final authority for any regulatory requirement is the latest relevant regulations. References to regulations and standards are included in this document; however, this list is not exhaustive of all relevant regulations and standards. The reader should consult the Department of Justice website for a comprehensive list of the latest regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-10.15/FullText.html.

Gross Tonnage

Gross tonnage is the measure of the overall size of a vessel as determined in accordance with the Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations and the Standard for the Tonnage Measurement of Ships (TP 13430) (available at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-menu-515.htm), by using one of the following:

  1. Form 4A: Simplified Method of Tonnage Measurement;
  2. Form 4B: Tonnage Measurement of a Simple Multihull Vessel; or
  3. A duly appointed Tonnage Measurer.

The forms and additional information are available at www.tc.gc.ca/vessel-registry.

Year Built

If you do not know the year that your vessel was built, indicate “1900” as the year built on page 1.

Area of Operation

Near coastal voyage, Class 1 means a voyage (a) that is not a sheltered waters voyage or a near coastal voyage, Class 2; (b) that is between places in Canada, the United States (except Hawaii), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the West Indies, Mexico, Central America or the northeast coast of South America; and (c) during which the vessel engaged on the voyage is always (i) north of latitude 6°N, and (ii) within 200 nautical miles from shore or above the continental shelf.

Near coastal voyage, Class 2 means a voyage (a) that is not a sheltered waters voyage; and (b) during which the vessel engaged on the voyage is always (i) within 25 nautical miles from shore in coastal waters of Canada, the United States (except Hawaii) or Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and (ii) within 100 nautical miles from a place of refuge.

Sheltered waters voyage means a voyage (a) that is in Canada on a lake, or a river above tidal waters, where a vessel can never be further than one nautical mile from the closest shore; (b) that is on the waters listed in Schedules 1 and 2 of the Vessel Certificate Regulations.

Unlimited voyage means a voyage that is not a sheltered waters voyage, a near coastal voyage, Class 2 or a near coastal voyage, Class 1.

Note: The definitions of the voyage classifications are found in the Vessel Certificate Regulations, section 1.

Principal Operator Certification and Training

(See note 17 below for additional information.)

Master Limited. The general requirements for Master Limited can be found in section 131 of the Marine Personnel Regulations. The Master Limited training program description is found in Chapter 12 of Transport Publication (TP) 2293 available at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-menu-515.htm.

SVOP – Small Vessel Operator Proficiency. The SVOP training program description is found in Transport Publication (TP) 14692 available at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-menu-515.htm.

SVMO – Small Vessel Machinery Operator. The general requirements for SVMO can be found in section 151 of the Marine Personnel Regulations. The SVMO training program description is found in Chapter 33 of Transport Publication (TP) 2293 available at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-menu-515.htm.

ROCM - Restricted Operator’s Certificate (Maritime). The ROC(M) is required by anyone using a marine VHF radio or other marine radios (each person on the boat who will use the radio needs their own card).

PCOC – Pleasure Craft Operator Card. The PCOC is obtained after passing an accredited boating safety test. To find a course provider in your area, visit www.boatingsafety.gc.ca.

MED  A3 – Marine Emergency Duties A3 (Small Non-Pleasure Vessel Basic Safety).  The MED  A3 training program description is found in Transport Publication (TP) 4957 available at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp-menu-515.htm.

ROCMC – Restricted Operator’s Certificate – Maritime Commercial. The Restricted Operator’s Certificate - Maritime Commercial ( ROC-MC ) is intended for mariners serving on compulsorily-fitted non-pleasure vessels within the North American A1 Sea Area as defined in Radio Aids to Marine Navigation (available through the Canadian Coast Guard at www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca).