Certificates of competency, training certificates and equivalencies directly pertaining to the operation of a vessel are recognized as proof of competency when operating a boat fitted with a motor that is used for recreational purposes. The current list contains over 90 such professional certificates, courses and equivalencies.
If you hold any certificate on this list, you just need to make sure you carry your certificate on board. You may carry the original documentation or a copy of the certificate.
List of Certificates of Competency, Training Certificates and other Equivalencies accepted as Proof of Competency
Master, Ship of not more than 350 tons, gross tonnage, or tug, local voyage
Master, Limited
First Mate, Limited
Fishing Master, First Class
Fishing Master, Second class
Fishing Master, Third Class
Fishing Master, Fourth Class
Certificate of service as master of a ship of not more than 1600 tons, gross tonnage
Certificate of service as master of a fishing vessel of not more than 100 tons, gross tonnage
Bridge Watchman
Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats
Master, limited for a pleasure yacht of more than 20 m in length
Master, limited for a short run ferry
Master, limited for an intermediate run, ferry
First Mate, limited for a short run ferry
First Mate, limited for an intermediate run ferry
Under the Marine Personnel Regulations:
Master Mariner
Master, Near Coastal
Master 3000 Gross Tonnage, Near Coastal
Master 500 Gross Tonnage, Near Coastal
Master 3000 Gross Tonnage, Domestic
Master 500 Gross Tonnage, Domestic
Master 150 Gross Tonnage, Domestic
Master, Inland Waters
Master, Ship of not more than 350 tons, gross tonnage, or tug, home trade voyage
Master, Ship of not more than 350 tons, gross tonnage, or tug, inland waters voyage
Certificate of Service as Master of a Steamship of not more than 350 tons, gross tonnage
Master, Long Run Ferry
Master, Intermediate Run Ferry
Master, Short Run Ferry
First Mate, Inland Waters
First Mate, Long Run Ferry
First Mate, Intermediate Run Ferry
First Mate, Short Run Ferry
Master, Limited for a Vessel of 60 Gross Tonnage or More
Master, Limited for a Vessel of less than 60 Gross Tonnage
Master 3000 Gross Tonnage, Domestic limited to a near coastal voyage, Class 2 if the voyage is a "minor Waters Voyage" as defined in the Canada Shipping Act, in the version that was in force immediately before coming into force of the Act
Chief Mate
Chief Mate, Near Coastal
Watchkeeping Mate
Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal
Chief Mate 500 Gross Tonnage, Domestic
Chief Mate 150 Gross Tonnage, Domestic
Chief Mate, Limited for a Vessel of 60 Gross Tonnage or More
Chief Mate, Limited for a Vessel of less than 60 Gross Tonnage
Second mate, Inland Waters
Fishing Master, First Class
Fishing Master, Second Class
Fishing Master, Third Class
Fishing Master, Fourth Class
Certificate of Service as Master of a Fishing Vessel of less than 60 gross Tonnage
Certificate of Service as Watchkeeping Mate of a Fishing Vessel of less than 100 Gross Tonnage
Watchkeeping officer of a fishing vessel of not more than 150 gross tonnage and less than 24 metres in overall length
Watchkeeping Mate of a fishing vessel of less than 24 m in length overall
Certificate of service as Watchkeeping Mate of a fishing vessel of less than 24 metres in length
Under the Masters and Mates Examination Regulations:
Master, Foreign-going
Master, Foreign-going Certificate of Service
Master Home Trade, First Mate Foreign-going
Master, Home Trade
Master, ship not more than 350 tons, gross tonnage, or tug, home trade or inland waters
Master, ship of not more than 350 tons, gross tonnage, or tug, home trade voyage
First Mate, Foreign-going
First Mate Home Trade, Second Mate Foreign-going
First Mate, Home Trade
Second Mate, Foreign-going
Watchkeeping Mate
Second Mate, Home Trade
Master, ship of not more than 350 tons, gross tonnage, or tug, home trade voyage
Master, ship of not more than 350 tons, gross tonnage, or tug, inland waters voyage
Certificate of Service as Master of a steamship not more than 350 tons, gross tonnage
Second Mate, Inland Waters
Master, Minor Waters
Training Certificates:
Basic Safety and Operator Proficiency for Small Non-Pleasure Craft in Sheltered Waters (MED A4) issued under the Marine Certification Regulations
Small Vessel Operator Proficiency ( SVOP ) training certificate issued under the Marine Personnel Regulations or a SVOP card issued by Transport Canada
International Certificate of Competency issued by International Yacht Training Worldwide
Day Skipper Sail and Day Skipper Power training certificates issued by International Sail and Power Academy Inc.
Basic Powerboat and Basic Cruising training certificates issued by Sail Canada
Basic Outboard Standard training certificate issued by Sail Canada
Other Equivalencies:
Proof of at least seven fishing seasons, with no two of those seasons occurring in the same year, as master of a fishing vessel of up to 15 gross tonnage or not more than 12 m in overall length, acquired before July 1, 2007 in the form of a signed declaration or a Transport Canada card that is issued for the signed declaration (Subsection 212 (8) of the Marine Personnel Regulations)
Small Vessel Operator – Commercial/Fishing Vessels issued by the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland
Basic Safety For Fish Harvesters (5 Days) issued by the Professional Fish Harvesters Certification Board of Newfoundland and Labrador
Proof of at least seven fishing seasons, with no two of those seasons occurring in the same year, as officer in charge of deck watch of a fishing vessel of up to 15 gross tonnage or not more than 12 m in overall length, acquired before July 1, 2007 in the form of a signed declaration or a Transport Canada card that is issued for the signed declaration. (Subsection 212 (8) of the Marine Personnel Regulations)
Canadian Coast Guard endorsements, certificates and training courses:
Coast Guard Watchkeeping endorsement or Coast Guard Watchkeeping Certificate
Coast Guard Command endorsement or Coast Guard Command Certificate
Coast Guard Small Vessel Command endorsement or Coast Guard Small Vessel Command Course Certificate
Fast Rescue Craft Course
Rigid Hull Inflatable Operator Training
Small Craft Operator - Advanced / RHIOT
Small Craft Training
Small Craft Operator – Basic
Department of National Defence Certificates and Training Courses:
Upper Deck Watchkeeping
Destroyer Navigating Officer
Surface Ship Command
Patrol Vessel Command
Bridge Watchkeeping
Deep Draught Officer or Fleet Navigating Officer
Minor War vessel or Surface Ship Command (after 1997)