New vessel stability e-course for Canadian seafarers - SSB No.: 04/2026

Scope

This bulletin applies to:

• all Canadian seafarers
• Canadian recognized institutions

Purpose

To promote a course that explains what makes a vessel stable and how different factors affect stability:

• the Small Fishing Vessel Stability e-course

Background

Vessel stability is an important part of seaworthiness. Your actions and decisions will keep your vessel safe. Even if your vessel is considered structurally safe and follows all the rules, poor decisions can cause it to capsize. Understanding the basics of stability and how it can change quickly can help you make more informed decisions that will help keep the vessel upright.

What you need to know

This stability course is meant for seafarers who don’t have formal Transport Canada-approved stability training, like Ship Construction and Stability, Level 1 or higher.

Seafarers that hold these documents would benefit from taking the online stability training courses 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 with a valid Candidate Document Number (CDN). The general public can also access the course through the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).

1. Open a browser and register with the CCOHS for the Small Fishing Vessel Stability e-course
2. When you register with a CDN, please enter all 8 characters, including zeros. If you recently received your CDN, please wait 2 weeks before registering
   • If you have problems registering 2 weeks after getting your CDN, please email TC.MSSVesselStabilityMgmt-GestionStabilitedesBatimentsSSM.TC@tc.gc.ca.
3. After you register, CCOHS will send a confirmation email with a login and password for the course. Sign-in using the information in that email
4. Please print a copy of your training certificate after you complete the course and keep it for your records

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.

If you’re an organization that wants to deliver these e-courses in a group setting, please email TC.MSSVesselStabilityMgmt-GestionStabilitedesBatimentsSSM.TC@tc.gc.ca with the following information:

• organization/company name
• organization/company address
• program coordinator name and email address
• course instructor name(s) and email address(es)

Service standard

We will let you know whether your organization is approved to deliver this course within 10 business days of receiving a complete application.

Need help?

Email: TC.MSSVesselStabilityMgmt-GestionStabilitedesBatimentsSSM.TC@tc.gc.ca

Keywords:

1. Vessel stability
2. Small fishing vessels
3. Online e-course

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).