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Transport Canada Second Engineer Requirements - Canada Seafarer Certification


Transport Canada Second Engineer and Fourth-Class Engineer Certificate of Competency Requirements for Canadian Seafarers

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Second Engineer is the engineer next to the Chief Engineer in the line of authority (officier mécanicien en second) and is a licensed member of engineering department on a merchant vessel and directly reports to the chief engineer. The second engineer assists the Chief Engineer in vessel technical operations including specific tasks and, in all duties delegated by the Chief Engineer.

Duties include but not limited to - carry out watch keeping duties and related maintenance / tasks as required; assist the Chief Engineer and learn all aspects of his duties; replaces the Chief Engineer if the Chief Engineer is not on board or is not any more in capacity to ensure his duty; allocate duties to the junior engineers and oilers; committed to Safety and Company Procedures in all tasks; and train engineer cadets and ratings.

Note: Proposed new regulations of Transport Canada which will be effective some time in 2019 (MPR2019) may change these requirements as they are planning to merge Third-class and Fourth-class Engineer competency to an STCW 2010 compliant Watchkeeping Engineer certification. 

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Transport Canada Competency Requirements for Second Engineer (Motor Ship and Steamship)

  • Hold a certificate of - Fourth-class Engineer, Motor Ship certificate with STCW endorsement, in the case of an applicant for a Motor Ship endorsement; or Fourth-class Engineer, Steamship certificate with STCW endorsement, in the case of an applicant for a Steamship endorsement

Transport Canada Sea Service Requirements for Second Engineer

  • At least 12 months of sea service as an engineer performing engine room duties on one or more vessels that have a propulsive power of at least 750 kW and are motor vessels, in the case of an applicant for a Motor Ship endorsement; or steamships, in the case of an applicant for a Steamship endorsement

Transport Canada Fourth-Class Engineer Requirements

Competency Requirements

  • No certificate is required, but the requirements below apply to the establishment of equivalency between the certificate held and the certificate sought

Sea Service Requirements

  • Either having successfully completed a 3-year approved cadet training program in marine engineering or having acquired at least 36 months of qualifying service comprising the following:
  • (a) At least 6 months as an engineer, engine-room rating or assistant engineer, performing the duties set out in Note 1 below in an engine room on one or more of the following vessels the main engines of which have a total power of at least 500 kW
  • (b) A credit of 6 months of qualifying service if the applicant submits the certificate referred (practical skills for marine engineers) and any remaining time in any combination of the following types of service -

    • (i) up to 12 months of fitting, erecting or repairing machinery,
    • (ii) up to 6 months of metal turning,
    • (iii) up to 6 months of brass finishing,
    • (iv) up to 6 months of planing, slotting, shaping and milling,
    • (v) up to 3 months of welding,
    • (vi) up to 6 months in a drafting office as mechanical or Electrical drafter engaged in arrangement, detail or design drawings,
    • (vii) up to 24 months as an engineer or assistant engineer on day work,
    • (viii) up to 6 months as an engineer, engine-room rating, assistant engineer or electrician during the fitting out, laying up or refitting of one or more vessels,
    • (ix) up to 24 months as the person responsible for operating pumps on one or more tankers,
    • (x) up to 24 months as an engine-room rating or assistant engineer performing watchkeeping duties in an engine room on board one or more towed barges or similar vessels, the boiler or boilers of which have a total heating surface of at least 92.9 m2,
    • (xi) up to 9 months as person responsible for operating tunnel machinery on one or more self-unloading bulk Cargo ships,
    • (xii) up to 24 months as an electrician on one or more vessels that have a rated generator capacity of at least 300 kW,
    • (xiii) a credit of 12 months of service for successful completion of an approved training program in diesel engines,
    • (xiv) a credit of up to 3 months of service for each of the following courses that has been successfully completed, at an institution recognized by a provincial government or foreign administration - applied mechanics, thermodynamics, machine design, electrotechnology, and naval architecture, and
    • (xv) a credit of 12 months of service for successful completion, at an institution recognized by a provincial government or foreign administration, of a training program in mechanical or electrical engineering.

Examination Requirements

  • (a) An examination on ship watchkeeping practices using a propulsive plant Simulator, after providing the certificate referred (ship watchkeeping practices taught using a propulsive plant simulator)
  • (b) After meeting the requirements, a written examination on general engineering knowledge at the fourth-class level;
  • (c) One of the following written examinations at the fourth-class level, after meeting the requirements - (i) in the case of an applicant for a Fourth-class Engineer, Motor Ship certificate, engineering knowledge of motor vessels, or (ii) in the case of an applicant for a Fourth-class Engineer, Steamship certificate, engineering knowledge of steamships; and
  • (d) Oral examination on the knowledge as required above and knowledge of the legislation relevant to the certificate sought, after passing the examination

Certificate Requirements

  • MED with respect to STCW basic safety
  • MED training with respect to Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than fast rescue boats
  • MED in Advanced Fire Fighting
  • Marine advanced first aid
  • Ship watchkeeping practices taught using a propulsive plant simulator
  • For the sole purpose of obtaining a certificate with an STCW endorsement, (i) practical skills for marine engineers, and (ii) approved training record book for applicants for a Fourth-class Engineer certificate completed under the supervision of the vessel’s chief engineer

Notes

  • Note 1: An applicant for a Fourth-class Engineer, Motor Ship certificate who holds a First-class, Second-class, Third-class or Fourth-class Engineer, Steamship certificate shall  after obtaining a Fourth-class Engineer, Steamship certificate, acquire at least 6 months of service as an engineer on one or more motor vessels that have a propulsive power of at least 500 kW, other than stationary MOUs; and  pass a written and an oral examination to determine whether they have the engineering knowledge required
  • Note 2: The qualifying service set shall include the following duties - preparing main machinery and auxiliary equipment for sea; shutting down main machinery; operating main machinery; preparing, starting, coupling and changing over alternators and generators; transferring fuel; preparing and operating evaporators and distillation plants; operating oily water separators and conducting appropriate tests to ensure the correct operation of those separators; preparing and operating air compressors; preparing and starting steering gear and conducting appropriate tests to ensure the correct operation of the steering gear; testing boiler water-level gauges under normal working conditions; operating boilers, including the combustion system; transferring ballast and fresh water;  lubricating machinery; pumping bilges; taking machinery readings and compiling the data in the engine-room log books; and acting as assistant to the engineer in charge of the engineering watch.

Disclaimer: For general information purpose - please check with Transport Canada for the latest requirements and accurate info