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Quebec School of Fisheries and Aquaculture (EPAQ) - Maritime Professional Training

Marine Mechanics Program and Navigation and Engineering Continuing Education Courses in Quebec, Canada

epaq quebec

Established in 1949 and located in Grande-Rivière, 30 km from Percé, the Quebec School of Fisheries and Aquaculture (École des pêches et de l'aquaculture du Québec - EPAQ) has been a part of Cégep de la Gaspésie and Les Îles since 1969 and has been part of the Quebec National Schools since 1988.

The School offers secondary and college-level training specific to the marine industry. The school is home to state-of-the-art facilities including navigation workshops, biochemistry labs, processing plant and, an aquaculture lab and greenhouse.

Established over 15 years ago at the School of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Quebec (EPAQ), the continuing education department offers customized training in the processing, catch and landing, aquaculture and agro-food industries. The EPAQ offers over 150 customized training programs including Transport Canada courses.

epaq campus grand rviere

Academic & Training Programs

Maritime Programs in French

  • Marine Mechanics Diploma (1 year): The program focuses on repair and maintenance of marine and industrial diesel engines. You will be able to diagnose faults and make the necessary adjustments on various diesel, marine and industrial engines. By exploring all mechanical, Electrical, hydraulic, refrigeration and auxiliary systems, you will become a qualified resource for employers seeking the versatility of their workforce.

Continuing Education Courses - Navigation

  • Electronic Map Systems - FUGAWI, Nobeltec, MaxiSea and Olex (30 hours): Candidates will learn how to use all aspects of the software in order to use electronic chart and map systems proficiently.
  • Small Vessel Operator (30 hours): This course allows participants to acquire - A basic understanding of the risks in a marine environment, the risks in the operation of their vessel and the prevention of shipboard incidents; the knowledge and skills necessary to safely operate a small vessel other than a pleasure craft in sheltered waters or near to the shore in normal operating conditions, including darkness and reduced visibility; and additional information on navigation aids and seamanship that wil improve basic knowledge.
  • Domestic Vessel Safety DVS (26 hours): This course was developed to comply with the requirements of the Marine Personnel Regulations on minimum training in Personal Survival Techniques and fire fighting for Canadian seafarers sailing on board passenger vessels, workboats or fishing vessels engaged on a voyage in Canadian waters. It also replaces the old MED A1 and MED A2 courses.
  • Small Non-Pleasure Domestic Vessel Basic Safety SDV-BS (10 hours): Refer to subsection 205 (3) of the Marine Personnel Regulations for details about the applicability of this course, depending on the type of vessel and voyage class.
  • Restricted Operator’s Certificate - Maritime Commercial ROC-MC (24 hours): This course allows students to learn - The general principles and basic features of the mobile maritime service; the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Regulations (GMDSS); the practical knowledge, operational characteristics and ability to use the GMDSS sub-system equipment of a ship station; and the distress, safety and routine communications procedures in the GMDSS.
  • Simulated Electronic Navigation SEN restricted (60 hours): This course will allow students to acquire - an understanding of the basic principles and functions for usage, as well as the skills necessary to correctly use the kinds of equipment generally found aboard a coastal vessel.
  • Chartwork and Pilotage 1 Class IV (120 hours): In this course the candidate will develop - an understanding of how charts are made and used; knowledge and skills required to use these publications; and the competency to determine the position of a vessel using landmarks, Navigational aids, as well as lighthouses, beacons and buoys, to estimate navigation taking into account wind, tides, currents and the forecast speed, and to record these in the ship’s log and compass error log book.
  • Meteorology 1 Class III (90 hours): This course allows students to develop their understanding of the characteristics of various meteorological conditions, transcribing and registration systems. This course also allows participants to develop the ability to use and interpret information obtained from onboard meteorological instrumentation, as well as to interpret and use available meteorological information in a practical way.
  • Master, Limited 60 tons (180 hours): This course enable students to - show good knowledge of the sector for which the certificate will be valid; learn to maneuver the vessel; operate the propulsion system and all other systems of the vessel; deal with emergency situations; precautions and fire-fighting; mooring and performing related seamanship tasks; prevent pollution; maintain the stability of the vessel; ensure the safety of passengers and use safety and lifesaving equipment; carry out necessary checks and inspections to ensure the vessel has all required certificates and documents; ensure safe navigation and prevent collisions, use nautical charts and publications to carry out and execute a voyage, use a magnetic compass to take readings and to steer; use the Canadian Buoyage system; use the radar to navigate safely; use electronic aids to determine the vessel’s position; carry out radio communication; and, carry out towing operations.

Continuing Education Courses - Engineering

  • Marine Engineering (210 hours): This certificate is composed of the following courses: Hydraulics and propulsion, - Marine engines and auxiliaries, and Electrical systems.
  • Marine Engines (90 hours): The Marine engines course allows students to develop the skills to maintain marine engines. More specifically, the course enables students to - correct the oil and coolant levels; carry out an oil change; observe changes in oil and coolant; carry out preventative work on the injection system; correct the density and quality of the coolant; maintain the air-intake system of the motor; interpret changes in the running of the motor; and, take apart, build and adjust components.
  • Hydraulics (75 hours): The Hydraulics course will allow students to - explain the basic principles of hydraulic systems; interpret hydraulic diagrams; to plan a hydraulic circuit schema; to use appropriate materials and tools; identify the failures in a hydraulic circuit; and, become aware of the safety rules that apply to hydraulic usage.

More Continuing Education Courses

Transport Canada Training Courses

  • Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Certificate
  • Domestic Vessel Safety (DVS) and Small Domestic Vessel Basic Safety (SDV-BS)
  • Simulated Electronic Navigation - Limited (SEN - Limited)
  • Meteorology 1 (MET 1)
  • Chartwork and Pilotage Level 1
  • Ship Stability and Construction 1

Business and Industry Canada Courses

  • Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)

Canadian Red Cross Courses

  • Marine Advanced First Aid
  • Marine Basic First Aid

Fishing and Navigation Courses

  • Radar
  • Marine GPS
  • Electronic and Paper Chartwork
  • Netmending

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LAST UPDATED ON Apr 19, 2023