Bulletin No.: 05/2001


Date (Y-M-D): 2001-06-04
 

Subject: Practical Skills Training and Sea Service Record Book for Engineering Candidates

Purpose

To notify all engine room personnel, ship owners, ship operators, marine training institutes, seafarers and their representatives, of the requirement to complete an approved course in Practical Skills for Marine Engineers, and to complete a Marine Safety approved Training Record Book for the mandatory seagoing service before being examined for the firsti certificate of competency as an officer in charge of an engineering watch.

Background

Canada, being party to the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 ( STCW -95), must implement all applicable provisions of the convention, including Code A.

Section A-III/1of Code A of STCW -95 has a specific reference to the requirement for training in mechanical and electrical workshop skills for candidates for certification as an officer in charge of an engineering watch.

The convention also requires that all applicants for a certificate of competency as an officer in charge of an Engineering watch, follow an approved program of on-board training which is adequately documented in a Training Record Book during their mandatory six months of seagoing service. Amendments to the Marine Certification Regulations will be made to reflect these requirements.

Application

After February 1, 2002, all candidates for their firsti engineering certificate of competency as an officer in charge of an engineering watch, will need to present satisfactory written evidence of having completed an approved training course in "Practical Skills For Marine Engineers" and a "Training Record Book" in respect of the mandatory six months of seagoing service before being allowed to sit the examination.

Graduates from Marine Safety approved Marine Engineering Cadet Training Programs already comply with the above requirements, therefore, no changes will need be made in those programs.

These two new requirements do not apply to seafarers who already hold 4th Class, Chief Engineer Motor-driven Fishing Vessel or higher marine engineering certification.

Transport Canada, Marine Safety, has produced two TP documents that outline the new requirements. TP 13720 outlines the requirements of the practical skills for marine engineers, training course and TP 13721 outlines the training record book requirements for watchkeeping engineer candidates. Both TP documents are available through the publication section of the Transport Canada Web site (www.tc.gc.ca).

All marine stakeholders are strongly advised to note these requirements and ensure that they are ready in time, as STCW -95 comes into effect in Canada on February 1, 2002.

i The first certificate is normally the 4th Class Motor ship or Steamship. However, candidates who proceed directly to 3rd or 2nd Class certificates will have to complete these new requirements.

Keywords:                                  Questions concerning this bulletin should be addressed to:

1. Practical Skills Training
2. Record Book
3. Sea Service
AMSPE
P. Mannion
613-993-4376
Transport Canada
Marine Safety
Tower C, Place de Ville
11th Floor, 330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N8
 

To add or change your address, contact us at: marinesafety@tc.gc.ca

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