Information from Transport Canada on Marine Personnel Regulations
Understanding the certification and training requirements for guides and employees working aboard vessels is essential to ensuring safety and compliance on the water. The Marine Personnel Regulations outline specific requirements based on vessel size, passenger capacity, and voyage type. The following provides a breakdown of the key requirements for operators to keep in mind as we approach the 2026 season.
For sheltered waters voyages, the Marine Personnel Regulations (section 205) requires guides or employees working aboard a vessel of not more than 8 m with not more than 6 passengers to meet the following requirements:
1) Have appropriate knowledge of how to use the safety equipment on board;
2) Have taken a first aid course;
- Please note that the First Aid course, if not a “marine basic first aid course”, must be a provincially recognized CPR-First Aid course with a minimum of 15 hours or two days of instruction.
3) Hold a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
If the vessel carries more than 6 passengers or is more than 8 m long, or if it embarks on a near-coastal voyage, class 2, the Marine Personnel Regulations (sections 205 and 212) requires guides or employees working aboard a vessel carrying passengers to meet the following requirements:
- Important note: if the vessel is less than 8m, but has more than 6 passengers, all items below also apply.
1) Have appropriate knowledge of how to use the safety equipment on board;
2) Have taken a first aid course;
3) Hold Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) certification;
4) Hold Marine Emergency Duties (MED) certification
- Carrying more than SIX passengers requires MED.