Transport Canada Equivalent Certificate (CoC) Requirements for Seafarers with Certificate from Foreign Maritime Administrations
There is no automatic recognition of a foreign Certificate of Competency (CoC) in Canada
Certificate of Equivalency Requirements in Canada
- Regulations require Canadian ships to be manned by holders of Canadian Certificates of Competency, which in turn can only be issued to Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents (PR) in Canada. Canada does not issue certificates or certificates of equivalence to holders of certification from other administrations.
- There is no automatic recognition of a foreign Certificate of Competency (CoC) in Canada. One has to apply and become a Permanent Resident (PR) in Canada under the Immigration Act first and then on arrival in Canada take the Immigration papers along with original records of sea service, etc. and foreign Marine qualifications to nearest Transport Canada Marine Safety office who scrutinize the papers for acceptability and advise the new immigrant about:
- Courses to do in Canada (Marine Emergency Duties, Simulated Electronic Navigation, Propulsion Plant Simulator, Marine First Aid, Medical, etc.), most of which again may or may not be recognized if done outside Canada.
- Once your case is cleared for a Direct Examination, we will issue you with a letter specifying at which level you are accepted, courses to complete and examinations to pass.
- On successful completion of training courses and examinations, an equivalent Canadian Certificate of Competency (CoC) is issued. This Certificate is a pre-requisite for working on any type of Canadian ships, and as explained above, pre-requisites for getting the certificate are the successful completion of above courses and the passing of examinations mentioned in Table III of Chapter 2, TP 2293. (See below)
TC Seafarer Training & Exam Requirements
Table: TC required examinations and training courses. Credits: TC
- NS - Navigation Safety examination
- SM - Ship Management examination
- SCS - Ship Construction and Stability examination
- CG - Cargo examination
- SIM - Simulated Electronic Navigation examination
- ASTRO - Celestial Navigation examination
- C/P - Chartwork and Pilotage examination
- MET - Meteorology examination
- COM - Communication examination
- GSK - General Ship Knowledge examination
- Oral - Oral examination
- ROC-MC - Restricted Operator’s Certificate (Commercial Maritime) issued under the Radiocommunication Act
- SEN - Simulated Electronic Navigation training certificate
- ECDIS - Electronic Chart Display and Information System training certificate
- MED BST - STCW Basic Safety Training certificate (STCW table A-VI/1-1, 2, 3, 4)
- MED SC - Training certificate for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than fast rescue boats (STCW table A-VI/2-1)
- MED AFFOC - Advanced Fire Fighting training certificate (STCW table A-VI/3)
- MAFA - Marine Advanced First Aid training certificate (STCW table A-VI/4-1)
Disclaimer: For general information purpose - please check with Transport Canada for the latest requirements and accurate info