United Kingdom seafarers can now seek Canadian recognition of their STCW certificates - SSB No.: 03/2023

Purpose

The bulletin is to let you know that:

• Canada has signed a reciprocal arrangement with the United Kingdom.
• United Kingdom seafarers holding a valid STCW certificate^{Footnote 1} of competency, issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, can now apply for a Canadian endorsement.

Scope

This bulletin applies to:

• owners and operators of Canadian-flagged vessels, and
• seafarers from the United Kingdom, who want a Canadian endorsement.

What you need to know

On March 23, 2023, Canada entered into a reciprocal arrangement with the United Kingdom for the recognition of certificates of competency and issuance of endorsements pursuant to regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention.

Seafarers with a valid STCW certificate issued by the United Kingdom can now apply for a Canadian endorsement. This is similar to reciprocal arrangements Canada has already signed with Australia, France, Georgia, Norway, and Ukraine.

Canadian seafarers can also seek a United Kingdom endorsement for a valid Canadian STCW certificate. Please consult the following website from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency which provides guidance related to obtaining a United Kingdom endorsement https://www.gov.uk/guidance/list-of-countries-accepted-towards-issuing-a-uk-FSE.

Documents you need to apply

To apply for a Canadian endorsement, please download and follow the instructions contained within the following Transport Canada forms:

• Application for a Canadian endorsement (Form #82-0786)
• Declaration from an Authorized Representative (Form #82-0787)

You are invited to visit the following website which provides relevant information regarding Recognition of a Foreign Certificate Through a Reciprocal Arrangement.

How to apply

Send your completed application and supporting documents, using one of the following methods:

• email to RecognitionofCertificates-Reconnaissancedesbrevets@tc.gc.ca

• mail to:

  Transport Canada, Seafarer Certification (AMSP),
  330 Sparks Street, Place de Ville, Tower C,
  Ottawa ON K1A 0N5

Keywords:

1. Reciprocal arrangement
2. STCW
3. Canadian endorsement

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).