This bulletin applies to

• Seafarers responsible for designated safety duties associated with the care, use or emergency response to the fuel onboard ships subject to the International Code of safety for ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels (IGF Code); and
• Masters, Engineer officers, and all personnel with immediate responsibility for the care of fuels, and fuel systems on ships subject to the IGF Code.

Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform seafarers on how to obtain certificates of proficiency for service on ships subject to IGF Code that meet the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), and Code, as amended.

Transitional Period: Certificates of Proficiency (CoP) will be issued pursuant to the STCW Convention and Code and are valid until the amendments to the MPR come into force, at which time the seafarer will need to exchange the CoP.

This bulletin explains what you need to apply for a certificate of proficiency for:

• Basic Training for Service on Ships Subject to the IGF Code, and
• Advanced Training for Service on Ships Subject to the IGF Code

Background

More ships are now using natural gas and other low-flashpoint fuels. If you work on these ships, you need special training and a certificate to show you’re qualified.

These rules come from international safety agreements (STCW Convention and Code), of which Canada is a signatory. Transport Canada intends to incorporate these requirements in the amendments of the Marine Personnel Regulations.

Getting this certificate of proficiency will help you meet new international safety requirements and prepare for future job opportunities, in Canada and around the world.

What you need to know

Apply for a certificate of proficiency in Basic Training for Service on Ships Subject to the IGF Code

To apply for this certificate, you must:

• be at least 16 years old
• hold a TC marine medical certificate within the STCW validity period
• have one of the following certificates, that’s less than 5 years old:
  • a certificate for a basic training course for ships subject to the IGF Code. This course shall be:
    • in accordance with STCW 7/Circ.23 Interim Guidance on Training for seafarers on ships using gases or other low flashpoint fuels, or
    • a course in basic training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code approved by Transport Canada.
  • a certificate of proficiency in basic training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations, or
  • a certificate of proficiency in advanced training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations

If the certificate in basic training for ships subject to the IGF Code is more than 5 years old, you must demonstrate continued proficiency. To do this, you need proof of at least 3 months of sea service on a ship subject to the IGF Code. Your work must match the duties covered by the training certificate. You must show this for every 5-year period after you completed the training.

Apply for a certificate of proficiency in Advanced Training for Service on Ships Subject to the IGF Code

To apply for this certificate, you must:

• hold a TC marine medical certificate within the STCW validity period
• hold a master or an engineer officer certificate of competency (Please note this does not apply to the Small Vessel Machinery Operator certificate of competency);
• have one of the following certificates, that’s less than 5 years old:
  • a certificate for a basic training course for ships subject to the IGF Code. This course shall be:
    • in accordance with STCW 7/Circ.23 Interim Guidance on Training for seafarers on ships using gases or other low flashpoint fuels, or
    • a course in basic training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code approved by Transport Canada.
  • a certificate of proficiency in basic training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations, or
  • a certificate of proficiency in advanced training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations

You must also meet one of the following 2 options:

Option 1: Advanced Training Course + Bunkering Operations

• hold a training certificate in advanced training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code completed within the last 5 years
• at least 1 month of sea service on a ship subject to the IGF Code.
• during that time, you took part in at least 3 bunkering operations.

Option 2: Experience with liquefied gas tankers

Within the last 5 years, while holding a valid certificate of proficiency in advanced training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations, you must have:

• taken part in 3 bunkering operations on a ship subject to the IGF Code or have participated in conducting three cargo operations on board a liquefied gas tanker, and
• have at least 3 months of sea service in the last 5 years on:
  • ships subject to the IGF Code
  • tankers carrying fuels covered by the IGF Code as cargo, or
  • vessels using gases or low flashpoint fuel as fuel.

If the certificate in advanced training for ships subject to the IGF Code is more than 5 years old, you must demonstrate continued proficiency. To do this, you need proof of at least 3 months of sea service on a ship subject to the IGF Code. Your work must include at least 3 bunkering operations and must match the duties covered by the training certificate. You must show this for every 5-year period after you have completed the training.

How to apply

Make an appointment with an examiner of engineers at your nearest Transport Canada Regional Service Centre: https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation-regions

Gather these documents and bring them to your appointment:

• Originals of all your certificates
• Your discharge book
• Testimonials of sea service, including the number of bunkering operations you’ve done (as needed)
• Any other documents you will need to prove your training or experience, as noted above

The examiner will send your completed application to the Seafarer Certification team for review.

If you have questions about the process, please contact: tc.amspecertificationengineering-certificationmecaniciens.tc@tc.gc.ca