Temporary Measures Regarding Marine Medical Certificates - SSB No.: 20/2020

This bulletin has been replaced by Ship Safety Bulletin No. 21/2020

Purpose

This bulletin provides an update for the end of temporary measures pertaining to Marine Medical Certificates implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and described in SSB#13/2020, and encourages seafarers to show due diligence in seeing a Marine Medical Examiner.

Scope

This bulletin applies to:

• Seafarers

What you need to know

Medical Certificates to work domestically:

For seafarers who require a medical certificate to work domestically, please note this Bulletin is further extending, by six months beyond its date of expiry,  any marine medical certificate or provisional marine medical certificate that expires before September 30, 2020 (replacing the previous date of September 1, 2020 noted in SSB#13/2020). Be advised that this is the last extension that will be granted. There is no requirement to submit an application to obtain this extension.  

Medical Certificates to work internationally:

All seafarers who need to maintain the validity of their STCW Certificate of Competency must have a valid medical certificate to work overseas. To that end, if your marine medical certificate expires after September 1, 2020, we recommend you see a Transport Canada designated Marine Medical Examiner at the earliest opportunity. Do not wait until the last minute. The list of designated Marine Medical Examiners can be found at the following link:

https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/4/mme-mdm/eng/marine-medical-examiners/search

Also, we ask that you remind your Marine Medical Examiner to send your information to Transport Canada as soon as possible.

Timing and Certificate Expiry:

At all times, we strongly suggest that seafarers re-apply for their marine medical certificate before the expiration date, and ideally 14 to 30 days before the expiration date. This will help the Transport Canada Marine Medical Unit provide the service standards that seafarers expect. The Transport Canada service standard for issuing a marine medical certificate is 120 days from the day on which the Marine Medical Unit receives the information from the Marine Medical Examiner.

For any urgent questions regarding marine medical certificates, please contact:
Julie Bédard, Director Marine Medicine and Pilotage Programs: Julie.bedard@tc.gc.ca, or by telephone at: 613-302-9634.

Keywords

1. COVID-19
2. Marine Medical Certificate
3. STCW Certificate of Competency

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).