Small Vessel Machinery Operator requirements

The TC examiner will assess the eligibility of an applicant for a Small Vessel Machinery Operator certificate of competency using the requirements contained on this webpage. These requirements are based on requirements in the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, the Marine Personnel Regulations (MPR), and the Transport Publication on Examination and Certification of Seafarers (TP 2293).

On this page

• Small Vessel Machinery Operator
• Sea service requirements
• Sea service schedules
• Small Vessel Machinery Operator - Restricted

Small Vessel Machinery Operator

An applicant for a Small Vessel Machinery operator certificate must have:

1. Experience:
   1. Acquire at least two months of qualifying service as follows:
      1. at least 1 month of sea service as an engineer or a rating performing engine-room duties on one or more motor vessels; and
      2. any remaining time any combination of the types of service set out in item 2 of the table to subsection 147(1) of the Marine Personnel Regulations.
2. Certificates to be provided to the examiner:
   1. MED with respect to small passenger vessel safety; and
   2. a marine basic first aid.
3. Pass examinations:
   1. written examination on general engineering knowledge of small vessels, after meeting the requirements of items 1 and 2; and
   2. after passing the examination referred to in paragraph (a),
      1. oral examination on general engineering knowledge of small vessels if applying for an unrestricted certificate, and
      2. practical examination on board the vessel in respect of which the certificate sough if applying for the restricted certificate referred to in subsection 151 (2).

Sea service requirements

1. As per table item 1 of subsection 151.(1), to acquire at least two months of qualifying service, the applicant must have:
   1. at least 1 month of sea service as an engineer or a rating performing engine-room duties on one or more motor vessels
   2. any remaining time can be any combination of the types of service set out in item 2 of the table in subsection 147(1)
2. Vessels the sea service may be acquired on:
   1. a vessel that requires a certified person in charge of the machinery or in charge of an engineering watch as per subsection 207(3)c) and 207(3)d)(ii) of the MPR
   2. a vessel that does not require a certified person in charge of the machinery or in charge of an engineering watch as per subsection 207(3)c) and 207(3)d)(ii)of the MPR
3. For sea service performed on vessels as per paragraph 2.a):
   1. the sea service cannot be acquired while the applicant is in charge of machinery, unless they hold a valid SVMO-R, because the applicant hasn’t yet been certified
   2. the sea service may be performed as an engine-room rating or rating performing engine-room duties assisting the certified person
   3. the sea service cannot be performed in more than one capacity (for example, Chief Mate/Engineer, Master/Engineer, Deckhand/Engineer, Deckhand performing engine-room duties)
   4. the applicant must provide the examiner:
      1. their discharge book, discharge filled and signed
      2. a testimonial of sea service (Form 82-0666) signed by the certified person acting as the chief engineer and either the master or authorized representative certifying that the information is correct
      3. if items (i) and (ii) cannot be provided, a letter is needed from the authorized representative with the required signatures and the information set out in Schedule 5 to Part 1 of the MPR, in respect of the sea service required for the certificate
   5. the sea service must be calculated as per section 3.3 or section 3.7 of TP 2293, depending on the type of vessel the service was performed on
   6. As per section 3.2 of TP 2293, the sea service must be assessed on its technical merits at all times (for example, a SVMO-R upgrading to a SVMO non-restricted)
4. For sea service performed on vessels as per paragraph 2.b) to be admissible, the sea service performed as an engineer must meet the following conditions:
   1.  as per the definition of “Engineer,” sea service must be performed by a person who may be in charge of the engineering watch (as per Part 2 of the MPR), whether or not the person holds an Engineer certificate
   2. sea service cannot be performed as a Master who acts in dual capacity as per Section 226 of the MPR
   3. sea service cannot be performed in more than one capacity (for example, Chief Mate/Engineer, Master/Engineer, Deckhand/Engineer)
   4. the applicant must demonstrate that the authorized representative determined an engineer must be physically present in the engine room or be the designated duty engineer, and that the engine-room duties were relevant for the certificate by providing the following documents signed by the master, the chief engineer, or the authorized representative of the vessel:
      1. a declaration from the authorized representative that the type of vessel, machinery or the operations justify having a person in charge of the machinery on board
      2. documentary evidence that the authorized representative gave the master written instruction (which may include engine-room duties) before the applicant is assigned to engine-room duties, as per Section 206(1) of the MPR
      3. the list of engine-room duties performed (see subsection 147(2) of the MPR)
      4. a copy of the record of training on the subject-matter and training referred to in subsections 206(1) and 205(1), as referred to in subsections 206(2) of the MPR
      5. its discharge book, discharge filled and signed
      6. a testimonial of sea service (Form 82-0666) signed by master certifying that the information is correct
      7. If items (v) and (vi) cannot be provided, a letter from the authorized representative containing the required signatures and at least the information set out in Schedule 5, Part 1 of the MPR, in respect of the sea service required for the certificate
   5. The sea service must be calculated as per Section 3.3 or Section 3.7 of TP 2293 depending on the type of vessel the service was performed on
   6. As per Section 3.2 of TP 2293, the sea service must be assessed on its technical merits at all times

Sea service schedules

Small Vessel Machinery Operator - Restricted

Despite the requirements above, an applicant for a SVMO - restricted for use on board a specified passenger-carrying vessel that has a propulsive power of less than 750 kW and is engaged on a limited near coastal voyage, Class 2 or sheltered waters voyage, must,

1. successfully complete training related to the propulsion system and safety systems fitted on the vessel; or
2. acquire at least 10 days of sea service performing engine-room duties on the vessel or a vessel of the same class.

Related links

• Recognized Institutions and Approved Training Courses - TP 10655 E
• Marine Safety Transport Publications (TPs)
• Seafarer Certification