Bulletin No.: 05/2006

PDF Version

RDIMS No.: 1761381
Date (Y-M-D): 2006-04-19
 

Subject: Alternate Path to Address Practical Skills Training for Marine Engineers

Purpose

This bulletin provides guidance, to Engineer candidates and to the marine community in general, on an alternate path to fulfil the requirements of Practical Skills Training when applying for the Fourth-class Engineer certificate bearing the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers ( STCW ) endorsement.

Background

At present there are two routes for seafarers to acquire their first certificate of competency as Fourth-class Engineer.

One option is to join an institute offering an approved Cadet Training program. Once the diploma is completed successfully, Marine Safety will credit the qualifying time acquired at the institute for attending the course, plus six months qualifying time for completing the mandatory Training Record book and Practical Skills Training, which are embedded in the course curriculum.

The second option is to acquire 30 months of qualifying time by sailing as ERR or by other specified means, and by completing the mandatory Training Record book and Practical Skills Course to get an additional 6 months of credit to qualify to write the Fourth-class examinations (Ref. TP-13720 and TP-13721).

General

The alternate path relates to the second option and addresses the needs of candidates who are unable to attend Approved Practical Skills Training due to non-availability of approved courses, either due to low demand or unavailability in their vicinity.

Procedure

A candidate who desires to take this alternate path should contact an examiner of Engineers at a Marine Safety office and discuss the acceptability of alternate courses or training he or she wishes to undertake.

1. Once agreed with the examiner, the candidate for the Fourth-class certificate of competency must complete the courses agreed upon and provide evidence of having successfully completed training in the following:
   1. A 60-hour welding course with a minimum of 30 hours each in gas and arc welding;
   2. A 60-hour course in basic machining covering the use of lathe, general machining and threading;
   3. A 30-hour electrician/electrical course covering use of tong tester, multi meter, megger, repair of switches, circuit breakers and small electrical motors overhaul.
2. Candidates must submit a completed Training Record Book and Annexes B and C of Transport Canada TP-13721. Annexes B and C cover the knowledge of legislative and seaworthiness requirements, which form part of Practical Skills Training.
3. Candidates fulfilling requirements 1 and 2 above will receive a credit of 90 days qualifying time towards the Fourth-class certificate of competency.
4. In order to cover the requirements relating to ship-specific tools and machinery maintenance, the candidate must provide evidence of an additional 3 months of service on board a ship in the conditions set out in subsection 34(3) of the Certification Regulations.

Practical testing of candidates by the course provider will be considered equivalent to having successfully completed the course, provided such testing is accepted by the local examiner.

Implementation Date

The implementation of this system is effective immediately.

The following document is available for downloading or viewing:

Alternate Path to Address Practical Skills Training for Marine Engineers (22 KB) 

To access the Portable Document Format ( PDF ) version you must have a PDF reader installed. If you do not already have such a reader, there are numerous PDF readers available for free download or for purchase on the Internet:

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

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