Medical examination process for a seafarer to obtain or maintain a pilotage licence or a pilotage certificate - SSB No.: 25/2023

Purpose

This bulletin highlights changes relating to the medical examination process of a seafarer who wishes to obtain or maintain their pilotage licence or pilotage certificate pursuant to the General Pilotage Regulations (GPR) and the Pilotage Act.

Scope

This bulletin applies to

• Pilotage Authorities;
• applicants or holders of a pilotage licence or pilotage certificate;
• designated physicians^{Footnote 1} authorized to perform medical examinations to determine an applicant or holder’s physical and mental fitness for pilotage duties; and
• a physician^{Footnote 2} exercising responsibilities pursuant to subsection 7(2) and 7(4) of the GPR.

Applicants or Holders of a Pilotage Licence or a Pilotage Certificate

When arranging for your pilotage medical, please specify the purpose(s) of the appointment with the medical office with whom you are booking.  You must produce all valid marine medical certificates^{Footnote 3} to the designated physician (DP) during the examination.  You must disclose if you have been deemed Unfit or Fit with Limitations in the past during a marine medical examination or during a pilotage medical examination.  You must honestly and completely answer all questions related to your health.

Pilotage Act

p. 38.2(1)(a) Refusal to issue

(1) The Minister may refuse to issue a licence or pilotage certificate if

(a) the applicant has acted fraudulently or improperly or has misrepresented a material fact;

p. 38.7(1)(d) Suspension, cancellation or refusal to renew

(1) Subject to section 38.8, the Minister may suspend, cancel or refuse to renew a licence or pilotage certificate if the Minister is satisfied that

(d) the licence or pilotage certificate was obtained by fraudulent or improper means or a misrepresentation of a material fact;

Your GPR medical report may remain valid for up to two years. Once it expires, your pilotage licence or pilotage certificate would be subject to suspension, cancellation or refusal to renew as per s.38.7(1) of the Act.

Pilotage Authorities

Pilotage medical reports will now be sent to the TC Marine Medical Unit (MMU) directly by the Designated Physician’s (DP) office. Pilotage Authorities will continue to have obligations of operating, maintaining, and administering, in the interest of safety of navigation, an efficient pilotage service which includes ensuring that compulsory pilotage is only conducted by holders of a valid pilotage licence or pilotage certificate for the area(s). 

Physicians designated under the GPR

Physicians designated as Marine Medical Examiners under the Marine Personnel Regulations (MPR) are considered as Designated Physicians under the GPR. A Marine Medical Examiner who is a Nurse Practitioner is not recognized as a designated physician under the GPR and therefore not permitted to conduct a medical examination for pilotage.

When requested, a MME/DP may conduct a marine medical examination that satisfies the requirements under both the MPR and the GPR. The MME/DP shall mark Pilotage duties in the Other field in the Occupation section of the Marine Medical Examination Report.

In situations when the marine medical examination and the medical examination for pilotage are not occurring simultaneously, the DP will consider the medical reasons for any limitations on any currently valid Marine Medical Certificate in order to complete the Pilotage Medical Report for the Minister. The DP will assess the applicant or holder for a pilotage licence or pilotage certificate for any disabilities specified in section. 3 of the GPR and take into account the medical fitness standards referred to and set out in Division 8 of the MPR, in addition to determine if the applicant or holder has depth perception.

When engaged in pilotage duties, a licensed pilot or a pilotage certificate holder, has conduct of a ship and is responsible to the master for the safe navigation of the ship.

Paragraph 38.01(4)(a) of the Pilotage Act also prohibits a licensed pilot from having the conduct of a ship in a compulsory pilotage area if he has knowledge of a physical or mental incapacity that prevents him from meeting the qualifications required for his licence or pilotage certificate.

General Pilotage Regulations

3 (1) The designated physician conducting a medical examination shall determine whether the applicant or holder has any of the following disabilities:

(a) an impairment that could cause an unpredictable loss of consciousness and is not controlled through medication or otherwise;

(b) a disorder that could prevent the applicant or holder from reacting effectively while performing pilotage duties;

(c) a disorder that could prevent the applicant or holder from having the strength, agility or ability necessary for performing pilotage duties in all weather and sea conditions likely to be encountered while performing pilotage duties;

(d) a disorder that could prevent the applicant or holder from speaking in a clear and prompt manner while performing pilotage duties;

(e) a condition that could endanger others, taking into account the duration of pilotage duties and the conditions on board ship;

(f) a condition that is likely to require emergency medical care and is not controlled through medication or otherwise; or

(g) an active psychiatric disorder, including drug or alcohol dependence or abuse.

(2) The designated physician conducting a medical examination shall

(a) take into account, when assessing an applicant or holder, the medical fitness     standards referred to and set out in Division 8 of Part 2 of the Marine Personnel Regulations; and

(b) determine if the applicant or holder has depth perception. Depth perception must be assessed using accepted standardized assessment methods such as Titmus Stereo test (Fly test), TNO Stereo test, or Random Dot Stereo test (Randot test). Eighty (80) seconds of arc or less are required for depth perception confirmation needed for pilotage duties. Applicants or holders of a pilotage license or certificate who do not meet this requirement must have a full orthoptic assessment by an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist should then provide recommendation(s) to the designated physician regarding a seafarer’s fitness to hold a pilotage certificate or license.

Submission of Medical Report

Designated physicians are now instructed to use the new Transport Canada pilotage medical report form (Form 82-0808) when completing a medical examination for a pilotage licence or pilotage certificate applicant or a holder. The DP will:

• submit the medical report directly to the Minister
• provide a stamped “COPY” to the applicant or holder of a pilotage licence or pilotage certificate, and
• retain a copy for their files. 

The reports to the Minister will be submitted electronically using the new reporting form and the Marine Medical Examiner Hub.  Designated Physicians who are not registered in the Marine Medical Examiner Hub may submit the Transport Canada approved PDF by:

Fax: (613) 993-4935 or
Mail to:
Marine Medical Unit
Transport Canada
Mailstop: AMS
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks St
Ottawa ON  K1A 0N8

Keywords:

1. Pilotage Authorities
2. Pilotage license/Pilotage certificate
3. Designated Marine Medical Examiners

Questions concerning this Bulletin should be addressed to:

Contact us at: Email: marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca or Telephone: 1-855-859-3123 (Toll Free).