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Guide to Boat Licencing

If you have previously taken a boating safety course, you may be exempt from writing the Boater Exam, under the grandfather clause.

You are exempt from taking the boater exam if you have one of the below certificates. If you choose you may purchase the Pleasure Craft Operator Card that is good for life, at a cost of $29.95 + HST.

Under the Marine Certification Regulations:

  • Master Mariner
  • Master Intermediate Voyage
  • Master Local Voyage
  • First Mate Intermediate Voyage
  • First Mate, Local Voyage
  • Watchkeeping Mate, Ship
  • Restricted Watchkeeping Mate, Ship
  • Watchkeeping Mate, MODU/Surface
  • Watchkeeping Mate, MODU/Self-elevating
  • Watchkeeping Mate, MODU/Inland
  • Master, Ship of Not More than 350 Tons, Gross Tonnage, or Tug, Local Voyage
  • Master, Limited
  • First Mate, Limited
  • Fishing Master, First Class
  • Fishing Master, Second class
  • Fishing Master, Third Class
  • Fishing Master, Fourth Class
  • Certificate of Service as Master of a Ship of Not More than 1600 Tons, Gross Tonnage
  • Certificate of Service as Master of a Fishing Vessel of Not More than 100 Tons, Gross Tonnage
  • Bridge Watchman
  • Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats
  • Master, Limited for a Pleasure Yacht of More Than 20 m in Length

Under the Marine Personnel Regulations:

  • Master Mariner
  • Master, Near Coastal
  • Master 3000 Gross Tonnage, Near Coastal
  • Master 500 Gross Tonnage, Near Coastal
  • Master 3000 Gross Tonnage, Domestic
  • Master 500 Gross Tonnage, Domestic
  • Master 150 Gross Tonnage, Domestic
  • Master, Inland Waters
  • Master, Ship of Not More than 350 Tons, Gross Tonnage, or Tug, Home Trade Voyage
  • Certificate of Service as Master of a Steamship of Not More than 350 Tons, Gross Tonnage
  • Master, Long Run Ferry
  • Master, Intermediate Run Ferry
  • Master, Short Run Ferry
  • First Mate, Inland Waters
  • First Mate, Long Run Ferry
  • First Mate, Intermediate Run Ferry
  • First Mate, Short Run Ferry
  • Master, Limited for a Vessel of 60 Gross Tonnage or More
  • Master, Limited for a Vessel of Less than 60 Gross Tonnage
  • Master 3000 Gross Tonnage, Domestic Limited to a Near Coastal Voyage, Class 2 if the Voyage is a "Minor Waters Voyage" as Defined in the Canada Shipping Act, in the Version that Was in Force Immediately Before Coming into Force of the Act
  • Chief Mate
  • Chief Mate, Near Coastal
  • Watchkeeping Mate
  • Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal
  • Chief Mate 500 Gross Tonnage, Domestic
  • Chief Mate 150 Gross Tonnage, Domestic
  • Chief Mate, Limited for a Vessel of 60 Gross Tonnage or More
  • Chief Mate, Limited for a Vessel of Less Than 60 Gross Tonnage
  • Second Mate, Inland Waters
  • Fishing Master, First Class
  • Fishing Master, Second Class
  • Fishing Master, Third Class
  • Fishing Master, Fourth Class
  • Certificate of Service as Master of a Fishing Vessel of less than 60 gross Tonnage
  • Certificate of Service as Watchkeeping Mate of a Fishing Vessel of less than 100 Gross Tonnage
  • Fishing Master
  • Fishing Master, Restricted
  • Fishing Mate
  • Watchkeeping Mate, Fishing
  • Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boat
  • Bridge Watch Rating

Training Certificates:

  • Basic Safety and Operator Proficiency for Small Non-Pleasure Craft in Sheltered Waters (MED A4) Issued under the Marine Certification Regulations.
  • Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) Training Certificate Issued under the Marine Personnel Regulations or a SVOP Card Issued by Transport Canada.

Other Equivalencies:

  • Proof of at Least Seven Fishing Seasons, with No Two of Those Seasons Occurring in the Same Year, as Master of a Fishing Vessel of Up to 15 Gross Tonnage or Not More than 12 m in Overall Length, Acquired Before July 1, 2007 in the Form of a Signed Declaration or a Transport Canada card that is Issued for the Signed Declaration. (Subsection 212 (8) of the Marine Personnel Regulations).

Canadian Coast Guard Endorsements, Certificates, and Training Courses:

  • Coast Guard Watchkeeping Endorsement or Coast Guard Watchkeeping Certificate
  • Coast Guard Command Endorsement or Coast Guard Command Certificate
  • Coast Guard Small Vessel Command Endorsement or Coast Guard Small Vessel Command Course Certificate
  • Fast Rescue Craft Course
  • Rigid Hull Inflatable Operator Training
  • Small Craft Operator – Advanced /RHIOT
  • Small Craft Training
  • Small Craft Operator – Basic

Department of National Defence Certificates:

  • Upper Deck Watchkeeping
  • Destroyer Navigating Officer
  • Surface Ship Command
  • Patrol Vessel Command
  • Bridge Watchkeeping
  • Deep Draught Officer or Fleet Navigating Officer
  • Minor War Vessel or Surface Ship Command (after 1997)
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