Maritime Ed

1. To meet mandatory minimum requirements for familiarization, basic safety training and instruction for all seafarers, training in advanced firefighting for seafarers designated to control firefighting operations, and knowledge of how to launch and take charge of a survival craft in emergency situations.
2. To provide seafarers with an understanding of the hazards associated with the marine environment and with their vessel.
3. To provide, through approved shore-based courses, training in the skills which seafarers require to cope with such hazards, to an extent appropriate to their functions on board.

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers, as amended (STCW Convention), provides standards regarding emergency, occupational safety and survival functions in Chapter VI of the mandatory Code A.

Recent revisions to Canadian Marine Emergency Duties (MED) training courses were made in order to align the MED courses with the requirements of Regulation VI of the STCW Convention and Chapter VI of the STCW Code.

In Canada, there are two streams of Marine Emergency Duties training:

1. Training for the crews of small domestic vessels and applicants for certificates of competency not subject to the Convention, and training which is fully compliant with the Convention, intended for the crews of large vessels, and
2. Vessels and applicants for certificates of competency subject to the Convention.

The main reason for separating the two streams is that STCW Regulation VI/1 regarding Basic Safety requires extensive firefighting training, which is beyond the requirements of small domestic vessels and would impose an onerous training expense on the small vessel industry.

The Marine Emergency Duties Program consists of:

1. MED not subject to the STCW Convention: (Domestic Requirements)
   
   1. Basic Safety (MED A1);
   2. Small Passenger-Carrying Vessel Basic Safety (MED A2);
   3. Small Non-Pleasure Vessel Basic Safety (MED A3);
   4. Small Seasonal Passenger-Carrying Vessel Safety (certified personnel);
   5. Small Seasonal Passenger-Carrying Vessel Safety (non-certified personnel).
2. MED subject to the STCW Convention: (International Requirements)
   
   1. STCW Basic Safety (STCW Regulation VI/1 and STCW Code Section A-VI/1.2);
   2. Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats (STCW Regulation VI/2.1 and STCW Code Section A-VI/2-1);
   3. Advanced Firefighting (STCW Regulation VI/3 and STCW Code Section A-VI/3);
   4. MED for Senior Officers (MED D).

NOTE:

Persons who need a Canadian Maritime Document (CMD) or other Transport Canada Marine Safety (TCMS) documents, or who provided identity information (names, date of birth or other) that is not consistent with the information already recorded in the TCMS databank system, must complete an Application for a Candidate Document Number (CDN).

This form must be presented in person to the closest TCMS office, together with documents that will clearly identify the candidate, before a CMD or other TCMS documents may be issued by or on behalf of the Minister.

This means that a Candidate Document Number (CDN) is mandatory for a Marine Training School to issue a Transport Canada Training Certificate.