Authorized representatives should gather all necessary vessel and crew information to ensure a complete application. This includes vessel details, crew composition and certifications, operational area and service type, relevant safety equipment or procedures, as well as copies of any previously issued safe manning documents and any relevant decisions from the Marine Technical Review Board (MTRB). Having this information ready will help avoid delays and make the review process faster.
Fees and service standard
If a vessel requires multiple safe manning documents, the applicable fee will be charged for each issued document.
Please note assessments will take more time if information is missing or if there are questions concerning the information provided in the application. Delays can be avoided by providing clear and complete responses for all relevant sections in the application form.
Table 1: Service standards and fees for application reviews
| Service | Fee | Service Standard |
|---|---|---|
| New application | 15 working days after receiving a complete application and all required documents. | |
| Renewal application | 10 working days after receiving a complete application and all required documents. |
How is the minimum Safe Manning level determined?
Each application is evaluated using the information provided with the application form and requirements specified in the Marine Personnel Regulations. A Transport Canada marine safety inspector will assess the level of risk based on several factors, including the vessel’s equipment, procedures, and the type and area of operation.
To determine the complement and competencies required to handle emergencies, inspectors use the IMO’s Principles of Minimum Safe Manning, relevant Canadian regulations, and departmental guidance. For certain vessels, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) is also considered.
Relevant Canadian regulations include:
- Marine Personnel Regulations, Part 2: Training and Familiarization
- Marine Personnel Regulations, Part 3: Hours of Work and Rest
- Vessel Fire Safety Regulations
- Fire and Boat Drills Regulations
Examples of emergencies include locating and recovering a person overboard, firefighting, launching a survival craft, and taking on water. An inspector will assess whether the specified crew would be able to recover an unconscious person from the water while operating the vessel and maintaining radio contact. In some cases, the inspector may request a demonstration of the vessel’s person overboard recovery procedure.
Inspectors use an evaluation matrix to assess each application. Copies of the evaluation matrices for each type of vessel are available below:
| Evaluation matrix document |
Vessel Type |
|---|---|
| Request a copy | Safety Convention and Non-Safety Convention vessels |
| Request a copy | Fishing vessels |
| Request a copy | Cable Ferries |
All new safe manning document applications are reviewed by the National Safe Manning Committee (NSMC), an internal government body with representatives from each of the five Transport Canada regions. The NSMC meets weekly to evaluate new applications and offers support to inspectors managing renewal applications. The NSMC also provides oversight to Transport Canada’s Safe Manning Program, ensuring its operations are efficient, consistent, and fully aligned with safety standards and regulatory requirements.