Section 3 - Transport Canada Regulations

Things that must be kept onboard

Information which must be kept onboard (when a ship is over 15 gross tonnage): 

1. Certificate of registry (expires after 5 years)

2. How to don a life jacket 

3. Record of safety equipment (doesn’t expire if nothing changes)

4. Inspection Certificate (expires after 1 year)

5. Stability booklet 

6. Logbook 

7. Minimum manning document (expires after 5 years and states # of crew needed)

8. Safety Management System 

9. SMS are internationally recognized frameworks that help companies identify safety risks and prevent potential accidents

General Crewing Information:  

• There must be 2 crew onboard

• There also needs to be 2 certificates (Master and Small Vessel Machinery Operator).

• On note of the SVMO – our agreement with TC is to fulfill the requirements of an SVMO but in an alternative way. One way we are doing this is by having a mechanic team on-site at all times.

• On the Chaba, Curly Phillips and Leah Beaver (when they have more than 50 passengers), there must be 2 certified crew. The second certificate is a First Mate Certificate, however our Master’s Certificate is greater than a First Mate Certificate, so can be used in lieu of that.   

Master’s Limited

• These certificates are good for five years.

• They are limited to vessels under 60 gross tonnage, in Canada.

• Our certificates are further limited to these vessels on this lake. 

• A ship needs a Master when the ship is over 5 gross tonnage 

 To qualify to take the Master examination, candidates must: 

1. Be Canadian (Citizenship) / Permanent Residency  

2. Be Eighteen years old 

3. Have Marine Basic First Aid 

4. Have a Marine Emergency Duties Certificate (which includes the completion of the   Fatigue Management at Sea e-course as this is a requirement to take the MED course). 

5. Have taken a Marine Medical 

6. Have Two months sea service (30 days for Maligne as we are seasonal and have a          license limited to Maligne Lake) 

7. Have a Radio Operator’s Certificate (we don’t need one here because we’re not in 

    communication with the Coast Guard) 

Masters Responsibility and Authority 

The Master must:  

1. Report defects, maintenance or mechanical concerns onshore Maintenance Team 

2. Operate the vessel according to procedures and practices in the SMS  

3. Report any accidents or incidents to Ship Manager (Britt) or Tour Operations Manager (Kait)   

4. Issuing orders in a clear and concise manner  

5. Ensure Safety Management System (SMS) documents onboard are up to date and available  

6. Report any shortcomings or revision needs of the SMS to the Ship Manager (Britt) 

7. Asking for assistance of the Ship Manager (Britt) when needed 

Small Vessel Machinery Operator-Restricted (SVMO-R)

• SVMO-R certificates are valid for five years. 

• They are “restricted” to our vessels on sheltered waters voyages anywhere in Canada (i.e., you could take the boat to Vancouver and be fine to act as SVMO on it)

• A ship needs an SVMO when:

  • There is more than 75 Kw (100-1000 horsepower)

  • But only if it’s certified to carry passengers and has inboard engines.

• We are meeting the requirement of the SVMO in an alternative way by having an on-site mechanic who is available during operating hours.

Does little Curly need a Master?

No – It’s under 5 gross tonnage so it requires only a Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card.

Does Little Curly need an SVMO? and why?

No – because it is classified as a work boat not a passenger vessel. It has more than 75 Kw (100-1000 horsepower), has inboard engines and was once certified to carry passengers and therefore, it did require an SVMO. However, this is no longer the case.

Types of Voyages

• Sheltered waters: a voyage that is in Canada on a lake, or a river above tidal waters, where a vessel can be no more than 2 nautical miles from the closest shore.

• Near coastal 1 means you can be within 200 nautical miles of shore.

• Near coastal 2 is within 25 nautical miles of shore.

• Unlimited refers to a foreign going vessel.

Authorized Representative

At Maligne Lake our Authorized Representative is our General Manager, Steve McFadden

These are the responsibilities of the Authorized Representative:

1. Our ships are compliant with the regulations. 

   • Ensure that the vessel and its machinery and equipment meet the requirements of the regulations. (How do we prove this? With documentation.)

2. We have procedures in place.

   • Develop procedures for the safe operation of the vessel and for dealing with emergencies.

3. People are certified and receive on-going training.

   • Ensure that the crew and passengers receive safety training. 

Ship Manager:

Our Ship Manager is our Senior Operations Manager, Britt

A Ship Manager (SM) is a qualified person responsible for managing the shore-based and on-board operations of a vessel, according to the Marine Shipping and Offshore (MSMSR) Regulations in Canada. The role of a Ship Manager is applicable to all Managers in transportation in Canada.

Transport Canada Pre-departure Briefing (Safety Talk) must include:

• Location of lifejackets (Adult and Children)

• Where to muster

• Location of survival craft

• How to don a life jacket, either verbally or with a picture 

How often are our boats inspected?

• Every year 

  • However, in 2026, TC piloted a program where operators can apply for an extension but if not approved, every year.

Out of water hull inspections

Every 5 years

How often is our ongoing Training/Inspection of Safety Equipment

• Every 2 weeks Transport Canada requires us to inspect lifesaving equipment onboard our vessels and conduct dry runs of emergency procedures and protocols. 

• We will complete on-going training every week to capture all boat captains.