The Small Fishing Vessel Stability e-course teaches seafarers the basics of vessel stability and how different conditions can quickly affect a fishing vessel’s safety. The e-course is designed for people who operate small fishing vessels who don’t have formal stability training.
On this page
- Vessel stability training
- How to register as an individual
- How to register as a group
- Service standard
- Contact us
Vessel stability training
Fishing vessels can capsize when they lose stability, putting lives at risk. Understanding the basics of stability, and how it can change quickly, helps masters and crew keep the vessel upright.
Transport Canada (TC) and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) have developed a course that explains what makes a fishing vessel stable and how multiple factors affect stability: the Small Fishing Vessel Stability e-course.
This stability course is meant for seafarers who don’t have formal TC-approved stability training (Ship Construction and Stability, Level 1 or higher). Seafarers holding the following documents would benefit from taking the Small Fishing Vessel Stability e-course for the type of vessel they operate:
- Certificate of Service as Master of a Fishing Vessel of less than 60 GT
- Certificate of Service as Watchkeeping Mate of a Fishing Vessel of less than 24 metres in length
- Declaration of at least Seven Fishing Seasons – Master of a Fishing Vessel of up to 15 GT or not more than 12 metres in length overall
- Small Vessel Operator Proficiency
- Pleasure Craft Operator Card
- Any limited Master or Chief Mate Certificate of Competency
How to register as an individual
This course is free for all Canadian seafarers who register for the e-course with a valid Candidate Document Number (CDN). The general public can also purchase access to the course through CCOHS.
To register, go to the Small Fishing Vessel Stability e-course registration page and follow these steps:
- Step 1: Register with CCOHS
- Step 2: When you register with a CDN, please enter all 8 characters, including zeros. If you recently received your CDN, please wait 2 weeks for the CCOHS database to update before you register. If you have problems registering 2 weeks after getting your CDN, please send an email to TC.MSSVesselStabilityMgmt-GestionStabilitedesBatimentsSSM.TC@tc.gc.ca.
- Step 3: After you register, CCOHS will send a confirmation email with a login and password for the vessel stability training course. Sign-in using the information provided in the email.
- Step 4: Please print a copy of your training certificate after you complete the course.
How to register as a group
The e-course can be delivered in a group setting by Recognized Institutions, Canadian organizations, remote communities, and Indigenous groups who have been approved by Transport Canada. In this case, individual participants won’t need to obtain a CDN to access the course free of charge. Transport Canada will cover the cost of registration.
To register, send an email to TC.MSSVesselStabilityMgmt-GestionStabilitedesBatimentsSSM.TC@tc.gc.ca. You must include:
- organization/company name
- organization/company address
- program coordinator name and email address
- course instructor name(s) and email address(es)
Service standard
TC will decide if a group stability course is approved within 10 business days from when we receive a complete application.
Contact us
Email: TC.MSSVesselStabilityMgmt-GestionStabilitedesBatimentsSSM.TC@tc.gc.ca