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9 SMALL COMMERCIAL BOATING CONTACT US – 1.866.468.3225 CMTR@georgiancollege.ca SMALL COMMERCIAL VESSEL OPERATOR PROFICIENCY (SVOP) In accordance with the Canada Shipping Act, all commercial and fishing vessels regardless of length must have a certified Master on board. A holder of a Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Training (SVOP) certificate can operate certain small commercial vessels and in some cases a Pleasure Craft Operator Card will be accepted by Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security. The SVOP course has been tailored to meet the training needs of the small vessel Master and is accepted in lieu of a Master's certificate. Topics include stability, collision regulations, chartwork and pilotage, shipboard safety, pollution prevention, meteorology, Canadian buoyage system, radar, and the use of marine charts to execute a voyage. Course code: MARI 0079 Prerequisites: minimum 18 years of age, see note below Course length: four days (26 hours) Course fee: $640 NOTE: There are no prerequisites to take the SVOP course. However, the SVOP certificate alone is not sufficient to operate your vessel. If your vessel operates more than two nautical miles from shore, all crew members as well as the Master/Operator is required to have a MED A3 certificate. At least one crew member or the Master is required to have either Marine First Aid or a provincially recognized first aid course of at least 16 hours in duration. For further detailed information, please refer to the Marine Personnel Regulations or contact your local Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security Office. AREAS OF OPERATIONS Near coastal voyage, Class 1 means a voyage: (a) that is not a sheltered waters voyage or a near coastal voyage, Class 2; (b) that is between places in Canada, the United States (except Hawaii), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the West Indies, Mexico, Central America or the northeast coast of South America; and (c) during which the vessel engaged on the voyage is always (i) north of latitude 6°N, and (ii) within 200 nautical miles from shore or above the continental shelf. Near coastal voyage, Class 2 means a voyage: (a) that is not a sheltered waters voyage; and (b) during which the vessel engaged on the voyage is always (i) within 25 nautical miles from shore in coastal waters of Canada, the United States (except Hawaii) or Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and (ii) within 100 nautical miles from a place of refuge. Sheltered waters voyage means a voyage: (a) that is in Canada on a lake, or a river above tidal waters, where a vessel can never be further than one nautical mile from the closest shore; (b) that is on the waters listed in Schedules 1 and 2 of the Vessel Certificate Regulations. Unlimited voyage means a voyage that is not a sheltered waters voyage; a near coastal voyage, Class 2; or a near coastal voyage, Class 1. The SVOP course can also be held on a demand basis throughout Canada. With a minimum enrolment, a course can be scheduled at your location at a time suitable to you. Please call 1.866.468.3225 to discuss this option. Visit marinetraining.ca for an updated list of course offerings in your area. Please note: changes to Small Commercial Vessel Operator Proficiency will come into effect when the new Marine Personnel Regulations is released. Please refer to marinetraining.ca for more details. RESOURCES Visit the Transport Canada website tc.gc.ca for more information on • Small Fishing Vessel Safety Manual (TP10038) • Small Vessel Compliance Program (SVCP) (TP1511E) • Small Commercial Vessel Safety Guide (TP14070E) • Are you a pleasure craft operator? Check the Safe Boating Guide (TP511E)