Commercial Boating Requirements
Anyone who works on a boat requires certification right now. Below are some highlights. Please contact Transport Canada for further clarification for your situation if required.
Liability Insurance etc. Concerns
Be aware that if you or any staff member are operating a boat without the certification required by Transport Canada you may be considered to be operating illegally (like driving a vehicle without a valid drivers license). This may invalidate your liability insurance, your boat insurance for damage or loss and possibly Workers Compensation etc.
Smaller Commercial Boats in Protected Waters
(PCOC) Pleasure Craft Operators Card
Some smaller commercial boats may use the (PCOC) Pleasure Craft Operators Card training in lieu of other Commercial training.
The vessels that may carry a Pleasure Craft Operators Card:
 | Smaller commercial vessels less than 8 metres (26 feet), |
| and, carrying less than six passengers, |
| and, in protected waters |
| Note: all members of the crew of a vessel must be carrying a valid PCOC (not just the operator). |
Call us or Transport Canada for clarification. Transport Canada recommends all commercial operators take a comprehensive PCOC course (our 6 hour basic course is a recommended option). For our schedule of Pleasure Craft Operator Card Courses see Course Schedule
(SVOP) Small Vessel Operator Proficiency
| Passenger carrying boats, less than 8 metres and carrying from 6 to 12 passengers, operating in Sheltered Waters |
| Passenger carrying boats, less than 8 metres and carrying from 1 to 12 passengers, operating in Near Coastal 2 (example Lake Winnipeg) |
| Non-Passenger (Work Boats excluding Tugs), greater than 8 metres and less than 5 Gross tons, operating in Sheltered Waters |
| Some organizations have implemented this training as mandatory for their staff regardless of vessel size or areas operating in. |
For information about our SVOP course see the following link:
SVOP Brochure 2010.pdfLarger Commercial Boats and/or not Protected Waters
Any commercial vessel less than 15 tons (approximately 12 metres) all crew and operators require MED A3 or higher certification. All commercial vessels greater than 15 tons require MED A1 work boats, freight boats etc. or MED A2 for passenger carrying vessels. For complete details contact Transport Canada Marine division in your area.
For our schedule of MED A1/2 or MED A3 Courses see Commercial Course Dates
For information about our MED-A3 course see the following link: MED-A3
To print a copy of the Registration form see MED A3 Registration Form
For information about our MED-A1 or A2 course see the following link: MED-A1/2
Funding assistance may be available to some people. For contacts see: Funding Options
A quick summary of the types of craft (according to Transport Canada definitions) are as follows:
| A non-pleasure or commercial craft is a vessel charging for service, including the carriage of passengers.* |
| A pleasure craft means a vessel used for pleasure and not for a commercial purpose.* |
| A fishing vessel means a vessel that is employed in the catching of fish, mammals, or other living resources from the sea, and that does not carry passengers or cargo, other than a cargo of fish.* |
* For more detailed information and examples see the following:
What is a Non-Pleasure Craft?
For a copy of the article provided by Transport Canada from their web-site which covers the background information about the requirements - follow this link: Transport Canada Background
