Marine Training

Why Choose North Island College?

• Education you can trust. As the region’s leading provider of marine education for more than 20 years, NIC works closely with Transport Canada and local employers to ensure your training meets all current industry and safety standards.
• State-of-the-art ship simulators. Some marine courses utilize a multi-function simulation system giving students the opportunity to practice ship maneuvering and navigation from the safety of a classroom setting. The TRANSAS simulators use programs unique to the BC coast and are the only simulators of their kind in use on the North Island.
• Workforce training solutions. North Island College works with employers and groups to deliver marine training courses upon request. The location and combination of courses can be tailored to suit your needs, preparing your crew with the latest Transport Canada Marine Safety requirements.
• Prepare for success. NIC’s qualified, professional instructors will prepare you to write the Transport Canada exams for certification in the following: Fishing Master IV, Master, Limited (60 GT), Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP), MED A’s, ROC-M, and ROC-MC.

Browse Schedules & Costs

Marine training courses are offered year-round in Ucluelet, Port Alberni, the Comox Valley, Campbell River, Gold River, and Port Hardy. Or for groups at any location upon request. To browse upcoming courses and schedules, visit the Continuing Education Course Search, and select any month in the left navigation to view.

Admission Requirements

1. ALL students registering for the following Marine courses: MEDs, SVOP, Master, Limited, and Fishing Master 4 must provide their Canadian Document Number (CDN) at the time of registration. Students can apply for their number through Transport Canada.
2. While we do not require specific academic prerequisites, it is advisable that your skills in Mathematics are to a level of at least Grade 10 (MAT 033). North Island College provides assessment and upgrading services to meet this requirement.
3. In order to sit Transport Canada examinations, you must meet additional requirements (sea service hours, seafarer's medical, etc) as set by Transport Canada. These requirements are described under the program areas.

Marine Emergency Duties Courses

These Transport Canada, Ship Safety approved Marine Emergency Duties courses are required for persons working on the water. These courses provide mariners with basic understanding of fire and fire prevention, dealing with emergencies and abandonment, survival and rescue. MED-032 ensures that crew members are able to maintain the safety of passengers. Please contact Transport Canada directly to confirm the level of MED course required for your industry.

• MED-031 Marine Emergency Duties A1 (3 days)
• MED-032 Marine Emergency Duties A1 & A2 (4 days)
• MED-003 Small Non-pleasure Craft Marine Emergency Duties (A3) – 25 Miles (1 day)

Optional Courses for Deck Crew/Mariners

The following Transport-Canada approved courses provide beginner level safety and training suited to all mariners.

• NAU-016 Restricted Operator, Maritime (ROC-M) (1 day)
• NAU-005 Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) (3 days)
• FAC-082 Marine Basic First Aid & CPR C (2 days)

Restricted Operator Certificate (GMDSS) – Maritime Commercial

The Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC) is intended for mariners serving on compulsorily-fitted commercial ships (Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems or GMDSS) within the North American A1 sea areas operating beyond 25 nautical miles off shore. It is compliant with the International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 (STCW 95 Regulation IV/2).

Please note existing ROC certificate holders who bring a valid certificate to class, issued prior to February 1, 1999 from Industry Canada only, are required to attend the last two days of class. Canadian Power & Sail Squadron certificates do not meet this requirement. The certificate must be presented when registering. Persons without an existing ROC certificate must attend three days of class.

• NAU-051 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (GMDSS ROC-MC) (3 days)
• NAU-041 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (abridged) (GMDSS ROC-MC) (2 days)

Small Vessel Operator Proficiency

This course applies to operators of Small Commercial Vessels under 5GT and Commercial Fishing Vessels under 15GT engaged on Near Coastal Class 2 (within 25 nautical miles offshore) and is based on Transport Canada syllabus. Topics include: basic nautical terminology, vessel hull types and configuration, basic seamanship, collision regulations, stability, safety on the job, marine weather, navigation, distress signaling and rescue. This course will assist the student in safely operating a small, non-pleasure, and power vessel. 

• NAU-005 Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Training Course (3 days)

Other courses that may be applicable: ROC-M, Marine Basic First Aid, MED A3.

Master Limited Certificate

This program is for mariners who operate, or who wish to operate commercial vessels under 60GT. Completion of this course will prepare the student to write the Chartwork and Pilotage Level 1 exam and the Navigation Safety Level 1 exam, both of which are administered by a Transport Canada examiner. Course content will include subjects which are covered in the final oral exam given by a Transport Canada examiner such as stability, meteorology, communications, and Transport Canada regulations. The content for the oral examination is determined by the Transport Canada examiner and will relate to the area of operation, type of craft, and equipment carried on board the vessel for which the certificate will be used.

This course may be of particular interest to charter boat operators, tug boat captains, crew boat captains, or thosew wanting to increase their knowledge of navigation, collision regulations, vessel stability, weather, and associated Transport Canada regulations. Certificates will be issued by Transport Canada Marine Safety.

Certificates of competency are issued by Transport Canada Marine Safety. Applicants are only eligible for these certificates once all required courses are completed and they have passed the oral exam with a Transport Canada examiner.

Sea Service Requirements
A minimum of two months sea service performing deck duties on a vessel of similar size, in an area of which the certificate is sought and on similar voyages that correspond to the certificate sought. Prior to acceptance for the final oral exam with a Transport Canada examiner, an applicant must have their sea service approved and must have successful completed the required courses. See also "Calculation of Sea Service" at bottom of this page.

Examination Requirements

Certificate of Service as Master of a Fishing Vessel of Not More than 60 Tons Gross Tonnage

Certification
The holder of this certificate may act as a Master on board a fishing vessel of not more than 60 gross tonnage, engaged on voyages as specified on the certificate in accordance with experience.

Sea Service Requirements
Complete 12 months service as Master of a Fishing Vessel of not less than 15GT or 12 metres in length overall, performed before 2007; and in addition, six fishing seasons acting as Master of a Fishing Vessel over 5GT before 2007. If the applicant has not completed this additional six fishing seasons (with no two of those seasons occurring in the same year) then the applicant will be required to complete: Simulated Electronic Navigation Limited, Marine Basic First Aid, and the Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP). Prior to acceptance for the final oral exam with a Transport Canada Marine Safety examiner an applicant must have sea service approved and must have successfully completed the required courses. See also "Calculation of Sea Service" at bottom of this page.

Examination Requirements

Fishing Master – Class IV

Certification
The holder of this certificate may act as Master on board a fishing vessel of not more than 100GT engaged on a Near Coastal Class 1 and Sheltered Waters Voyage and as Officer in charge of the watch of a fishing vessel of any tonnage engaged on Near Coastal Class 1 and Sheltered Waters Voyage.

Certificates of competency are issued by Transport Canada Marine Safety. Applicants are only eligible for these certificates once all required courses are completed and they have passed the oral exam with a Transport Canada examiner.

Sea Service Requirements
12 months sea time performing deck duties on fishing vessels that are 6 m or more in length. See also "Calculation of Sea Service" at bottom of this page.

Examination Requirements

Certificate of Service as Watchkeeping Mate of a Fishing Vessel

Although Watchkeeping Mate programs are not currently scheduled, individuals may express interest in the full program or in preparation for individual examinations by contacting Claire Marchand at 250-334-5005.

Certification
The holder of this certificate may act as Officer in Charge of Navigational Watch on board a fishing vessel of not more than 100 gross tonnage engaged voyages as specified on the certificate in accordance with experience.

Certificates of competency are issued by Transport Canada Marine Safety. Applicants are only eligible for these certificates once all required courses are completed and they have passed the oral exam with a Transport Canada examiner.

Sea Service Requirements
Complete 12 months service as watchkeeping person on a Fishing Vessel of not less than 15GT or 12 metres in length overall, performed before 2007; and in addition, six fishing seasons acting as watchkeeping person of a Fishing Vessel before 2007. If the applicant has not completed this additional six fishing seasons (with no two of those seasons occurring in the same year) then the applicant will be required to complete: Simulated Electronic Navigation Limited, Marine Basic First Aid and the Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP). See also "Calculation of Sea Service" at bottom of this page.

Examination Requirements

Fishing Vessel Watchkeeping Mate

Certification
The holder of this certificate may act as the person in charge of navigational watch on a fishing vessel of not more than 150 gross tonnage and less than 24 metres in length overall engaged in Near Coastal Class 1 voyages. Valid also as master of a fishing vessel of up to 15 gross tonnage or not more than 12 metres overall in length engaged in Near Coastal Class 2 voyages.

Sea Service Requirements
Six months of sea service performing deck duties on a fishing vessel of at least 6m or more in length.

Examination Requirements

Calculation of Sea Service

One month is equivalent to 30 days. An eight-hour day is one day. A nine- to 12-hour day is equal to 1.5 days. This time must be while the vessel is underway. Days underway that are less than eight hours may be pro-rated.