Marine Training

NIC provides industry-approved training for both experienced and emerging mariners. Learn boat safety, hazards, emergency response, survival and rescue and more. Prepare to write the certification exams from Transport Canada, Industry Canada and Canadian Power Squadron.

This program is currently not available to international applicants.

Where: Campbell River, Online, Port Alberni

Starts: Varies

Length: Varies by course

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There's a huge demand for qualified marine workers in a variety of industries. It's an incredibly rewarding career, but it can also be hazardous, which is why safety training is so important. I'm proud that I can help workers prepare so they can work on the water safely.

Clive Quigley, Marine Training instructor

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NIC provides industry and Transport Canada-approved training for both experienced and emerging mariners.

Courses are offered at our Campbell River campus and can also be provided through contracted training at our other campuses or in-community. Call 250-923-9750 for more information.

Marine Courses offered at NIC

Chartwork and Pilotage Level 2 (NAU-032)
Marine Basic First Aid & CPR C (FAC-082)
Marine Advanced First Aid & CPR C (FAC-084)
Domestic Vessel Safety (DVS) (formerly Med A1) (MED-032)
Chartwork & Pilotage 1 (NAU-038)
Navigation & Safety 1 (NAU-039)
Restricted Operator Certificate - Maritime (ROC-M) (NAU-016)
Restricted Operator Certificate - Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC) (NAU-051)
Ship Construction & Stability Level 3 (SCS 3) (NAU-023)
Simulated Electronic Navigation Ltd (SEN-L) (NAU-030)
Small Non-pleasure Domestic Vessel Basic Safety (SDV-BS) (formerly Med A3) (MED-003)
Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Training Course (SVOP) (NAU-005)

Certifications and Certificates of Competency

NIC offers courses toward the requirements for certification and Certificates of Competency by Transport Canada. Learn more about each in the Highlights tab.

Professional Radio Operator Certificates

NAU-016 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime (ROC-M)
NAU-051 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)

Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP)

NAU-005 Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Training Course (SVOP)

Master, Limited

NAU-038 Chartwork & Pilotage 1
NAU-039 Navigation & Safety 1
NAU-051 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)
MED-032 Domestic Vessel Safety (DVS) (formerly Med A1)
FAC-082 Marine Basic First Aid & CPR C

Master 150 Gross Tonnage (Domestic)

NAU-039 Navigation & Safety 1
NAU-023 Ship Construction & Stability Level 3 (SCS 3)
NAU-030 Simulated Electronic Navigation Limited (SEN-L)
NAU-032 Chartwork and Pilotage Level 2
FAC-084 Marine Advanced First Aid & CPR C

Fishing Master, Fourth Class

NAU-038 Chartwork & Pilotage 1
NAU-039 Navigation & Safety 1
NAU-030 Simulated Electronic Navigation Limited (SEN-L)
NAU-051 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)
MED-032 Domestic Vessel Safety (DVS) (formerly Med A1)
FAC-084 Marine Advanced First Aid & CPR C

Fishing Master, Third Class

NAU-030 Simulated Electronic Navigation Limited (SEN-L)
NAU-032 Chartwork and Pilotage Level 2
NAU-051 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)
MED-032 Domestic Vessel Safety (DVS) (formerly Med A1)
FAC-084 Marine Advanced First Aid & CPR C

Admission Requirements

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.

Upgrade with us to meet prerequisites

Upgrade your English, math and science courses for entry into the program of your choice. Succeed with the help of NIC’s supportive instructors. Courses are flexible and start several times a year so you can learn at your own pace. We offer daytime and evening options. Learn more

Accessible Learning

Making education accessible for those with a documented disability is a key priority for NIC. We offer a wide range of services, supports and resources for students. For more information visit: Accessible Learning Services.

NIC provides industry and Transport Canada-approved training for both experienced and emerging mariners.

Marine Emergency Duties (MED) - Domestic

Marine Emergency Duty training is required for working on all ships and the course required depends on the size, type and voyage of vessel. The NIC MED courses provide seafarers on small, domestic vessels with an understanding of the hazards associated with the marine environment and with their vessel and provide them with the skills to cope with these hazards to an extent appropriate to their functions on board.

MED-032 Domestic Vessel Safety (DVS)
MED-003 Small Non-Pleasure Domestic Vessel Basic Safety (SDV-BS)

Marine First Aid

If you are looking for employment on commercial ships, fishing vessels, the Canadian Coast Guard, or BC Ferries or perhaps are a pleasure boater who wants to be more prepared, First Aid Certification is key.

FAC-082 Marine Basic First Aid & CPR C
FAC-084 Marine Advanced First Aid & CPR C

Professional Radio Operator Certificates

Radio operator certifications ensure proficiency in marine communication. The Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime (ROC-M) is mainly intended for pleasure boaters and certificates are issued by the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons. 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 Area, as defined in Radio Aids to Marine Navigation. ROC-MC is an Industry Canada-issued certificate. Both certificates are good for life.

NAU-016 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime (ROC-M)
NAU-051 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)

Simulated Electronic Navigation

NIC offers the SEN-L course, which meets the requirements of the Marine Personnel Regulations for the Domestic Fishing, Chief Mate and Master certificate of competency. These competencies will help promote safety of life at sea, protection of marine environment in regards of training of our masters and officers in the application of electronic navigation systems and instruments typically found onboard coastal vessels and maintaining watchkeeping standards.

NAU-030 Simulated Electronic Navigation Limited (SEN-L)

Certificates of Competency

Every vessel operator must be certified at the appropriate level, or higher, for the size and type of vessel and the voyage that is being undertaken. Certificates of Competency (CoC’s), or Operator Competency Certificates, are issued by Transport Canada and applicants are only eligible for these certificates once all requirements are met. Requirements usually include several courses, time in sea service, a seafarer’s medical exam, and an oral exam with a Transport Canada examiner. Following are some of the CoC’s that are available and that NIC offers some coursework for. Note that the marine training offered at NIC may also meet some of the requirements for other CoC’s. Be sure to confirm the requirements you need with Transport Canada.

Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP)

This course will assist you in safely operating a small, non-pleasure, and power vessel. It was designed by Transport Canada for operators of commercial vessels, other than tugs and fishing vessels, up to 5 gross tonnage engaged on a near coastal, class 2 or a sheltered waters voyage, and for fishing vessels up to 15 gross tonnage or 12 meters overall length engaged on a near coastal, class 2 or a sheltered waters voyage. Topics include basic nautical terminology, vessel hull types and configurations, basic seamanship, collision regulations, stability, safety on the job, marine weather, navigation, distress signaling and rescue. This course is often taken together with MED A3 and ROC-M.

NAU-005 Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Training Course (SVOP)

Master, Limited

This certification is for mariners operating commercial vessels less than 60 gross tonnage. For full certification requirements see the Transport Canada website. NIC offers the following coursework towards this certification:

NAU-038 Chartwork & Pilotage 1
NAU-039 Navigation Safety 1
NAU-051 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)
MED-032 Domestic Vessel Safety (DVS)
FAC-082 Marine Basic First Aid & CPR C

Master 150 Gross Tonnage (Domestic)

This certification is for Masters on board a vessel of not more than 150 gross tonnage engaged on a near coastal voyage, Class 2, and as Master on board a vessel of not more than 500 gross tonnage engaged on a sheltered waters voyage. NIC offers the following coursework towards this certification:

NAU-023 Ship Construction & Stability Level 3 (SCS 3)
NAU-030 Simulated Electronic Navigation Limited (SEN-L)
NAU-032 Chartwork and Pilotage Level 2
NAU-039 Navigation Safety 1
FAC-084 Marine Advanced First Aid & CPR C

Fishing Master, Fourth Class

This certification is for Masters on board a fishing vessel of not more than 100 gross tonnage engaged on a near coastal or sheltered waters voyage and Officers in charge of the watch of a fishing vessel of any tonnage engaged on near coastal and sheltered waters voyage. NIC offers the following coursework towards this certification:

NAU-030 Simulated Electronic Navigation Limited (SEN-L)
NAU-038 Chartwork & Pilotage 1
NAU-039 Navigation Safety 1
NAU-051 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)
MED-032 Domestic Vessel Safety (DVS)
FAC-084 Marine Advanced First Aid & CPR C

Fishing Master, Third Class

This certification is for Masters on board a fishing vessel of any tonnage engaged on a near coastal or sheltered waters voyage and Officers in charge of the watch of a fishing vessel of any tonnage engaged on an unlimited voyage. NIC offers the following coursework towards this certification:

NAU-030 Simulated Electronic Navigation Limited (SEN-L)
NAU-032 Chartwork and Pilotage Level 2
NAU-051 Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)
MED-032 Domestic Vessel Safety (DVS)
FAC-084 Marine Advanced First Aid & CPR C

Learn from experienced mariners at NIC, who are passionate about the marine industry and have a wealth of experience to share.

Dianna Hay

Dianna Hay Although she was raised in Port Alberni, Dianna's love for ships began in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. After six years there, with a background in construction, trucking and fishing, she joined the Ministry of Transportation as a deckhand on the Alert Bay ferry. For the next 30 years she sailed on many routes working her way up the ladder. Through 10 of those years, she was the designated safety trainer for BC Ferries, helping to develop and teach shepherd boat and evacuation skills.

While living in Vancouver, Dianna was a Search and Rescue volunteer with the Deep Cove Lifeboat Society and operated Charter Vessels out of Coal Harbour. Coming full circle to where she started, Dianna retired as a Captain in Alert Bay. She is truly passionate about her life on the water and readily shares her knowledge and experiences as an instructor at North Island College.

Clive Quigley

Clive Quigley Clive grew up in Alert Bay and started as a deckhand on the Ministry of Transportation and Highways ferry to Sointula and Port McNeill. He transferred to the Comox-Powell River route and worked in positions from deckhand to bosun, then second officer to chief officer. He also worked as deck officer on the Port Hardy to Bella Coola run. His seafaring experience also includes working as Customer Service Officer and Safety officer for BC Ferries.

Clive started his teaching career instructing in first aid and then delivered workplace harassment awareness training for several forestry companies. His NIC teaching portfolio has included a variety of marine courses, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, WHMIS, Confined Space, and Forklift training. Clive says of his teaching, “I am patient, cheerful, and love maritime history but I am most passionate about mariners receiving the proper safety training for this hazardous industry.”

Harry Johnston

Harry Johnston Harry’s entire career has been that of a professional mariner, having served aboard vessels in the arctic, on the east coast, the west coast, the Caribbean and beyond.

In his early teens, he left school and farm life in Ontario and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy in Toronto as a "Boy Seaman." He served aboard post-wartime destroyers and on Canada's last aircraft carrier, HMCS Bonaventure.

Following a decade in the Navy, Capt. Johnston began the second phase of his career in the Merchant Marine, serving aboard tankers, research vessels, and ocean-going ships of all kinds, twice circumventing North America by transiting Bellot Strait and Fury and Hecla Strait easterly through Canada's arctic en route to IOS Patricia Bay B.C.

In his later years he's led a more settled life, taking passengers across Georgia Strait between Vancouver Island and Lasqueti Island on the ferry Centurion VII out of French Creek.

For recreational boaters and fishers, Harry believes strongly in the importance of continuing to upgrade one's skills in the face of climate and technological change and to encourage safe boating practices by users and other mariners confronted by the challenges and unpredictability of B.C.'s wild west coast.