Canada is introducing a new domestic marine medical certificate that will be valid for 5 years. This applies to seafarers working on Canadian-flagged vessels that operate solely in domestic waters.
This is according to a new Ship Safety Bulletin by Transport Canada aiming to to advise the marine industry of the Policy on Authorized Service Providers (ASP) for Life-Saving Appliances.
This new certificate is only valid on Canadian-flagged vessels, when sailing on a vessel making a:
- voyage in sheltered waters,
- near coastal voyage, Class 2,
- near coastal voyage, Class 1, on the Great Lakes,
- voyage in the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cabot Strait, up to 25 nautical miles seaward of a straight line joining Cape Canso at 45° 18.36’N, 60° 56.28’W and Cape Pine at 46° 36.81’N, 53°32.5’W. (See Map 1)
- voyage in the areas of Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait, up to 25 nautical miles seaward of a straight line joining Winifred Island at 50° 39’ 40” N, 128° 22’ 00” W, and Kunghit Island at 51° 56’ 37” N, 131° 01’ 52” W (See Map 2).
This change does not apply to seafarers working on vessels that make international voyages. It also doesn’t affect provisional medical certificates issued by a marine medical examiner.
In addition, this new certificate doesn’t apply to seafarers that hold a licence or pilotage certificate. Medical certificates issued under the General Pilotage Regulations, are still valid for two years from the day they’re issued.
However, seafarers that hold a STCW Certificate of Competency and work on a vessel that makes international voyages will still need to hold a valid marine medical certificate that meets the requirements of section A-I/9 of the Standard for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code. These medical certificates remain valid for a maximum of 2 years.
