Western Maritime Institute

Skilled Trades, Auto, Fire Programs

• Marine Emergency Duties Certificate (Domestic and STCW)

  The goals of Marine Emergency Duties training are:

  • to meet mandatory minimum requirements for familiarization, basic safety training and instruction for all seafarers, training in advanced firefighting for seafarers designated to control firefighting operations, and knowledge of how to launch and take charge of a survival craft in emergency situations,
  • to provide seafarers with an understanding of the hazards associated with the marine environment and with their vessel, and
  • to provide, through approved shore-based courses, training in the skills which seafarers require to cope with such hazards, to an extent appropriate to their functions on board.
• Approved Onboard Training Program

  Cut your sea time requirement from 36 months to only 24 months with our comprehensive program featuring classroom-based instruction and practical onboard training, all designed to prepare you for your Watchkeeping Mate Near Coastal Certificate.

  Upon successful completion of all program requirements (Academic & Practical Onboard Training), students are to sit the required Transport Canada Orals to obtain the Watchkeeping Mate-Near Coastal Certificate.

• Bridge Watch Rating Program

  The Transport Canada accredited Bridge Watch Rating program at Western Maritime Institute provides excellent entry level training for those who have little or no marine experience but would like to work as deckhands in the marine industry. This program is a prerequisite to sail as a deckhand on vessels over 500 gross tonnage with major tug and barge employers, the Canadian Coast Guards, and BC Ferries.

  Our Bridge Watch Rating Program is 12 weeks long and prepares entry level seafarers with the knowledge of the functions related to the Bridge Watch, the Standards of Safe Working Procedures and understanding of the hazards associated with the marine environment and their vessel.

• Master Limited (under 60GT) Certificate of Competency

  A Master or Captain of a vessel is in charge of a vessel, its crew members, and passengers and/or cargo while the vessel is at sea or in port. The Master controls and manages all aspects of the vessel’s operation and his/her responsibilities include ensuring the safe operation of the vessel at all times; the vessel complies with local and international law; the safety of all personnel on board; the safe carriage of cargo or tow, and; preparing voyage plans and recording all the vessel’s activities.

  Your Master Limited (under 60GT) Certificate of Competency will be limited to a named vessel (or sister vessels within a fleet), vessel type, gross tonnage and area of operation.

  After successfully completing the courses at WMI and Transport Canada oral exam, you can act as:
  Master on any vessel less than 60 gross tonnage of a type, tonnage, area and period of operation specified on the certificate and engaging on Near Coastal, Class 2 or Sheltered Waters voyage(s).

• Chief Mate Certificate of Competency 150gt (Domestic)

  A Chief Mate is second in the line of command after the Master or Captain depending on the voyage and vessel. The Chief Mate is responsible for:

  • loading, stowage, security, and unloading of cargo or tow,
  • ensuring the vessel is well maintained,
  • ensuring the vessel safely avoids other traffic,
  • mooring and anchoring the vessel,
  • keeping fire and security watches, and
  • standing in place of the Captain if the Captain is taken ill.

  After successfully completing the courses at WMI and Transport Canada oral exam, you can act as:

  • Chief Mate on board a vessel of 150 gross tonnage or less engaged on a near coastal voyage, Class 2;
  • Chief Mate on board a vessel of 500 gross tonnage or less engaged on a sheltered waters voyage; and
  • Chief Mate on board a vessel of 150 gross tonnage or less engaged on a limited voyage, contiguous waters, if endorsed as such.
• Master 150GT, Domestic Certificate

  A Master or Captain of a vessel is in charge of a vessel, its crew members, and passengers and/or cargo while the vessel is at sea or in the port. The Master controls and manages all aspects of the vessel’s operation and his/her responsibilities include ensuring:

  • the safe operation of the vessel at all times,
  • the vessel complies with local and international law,
  • the safety of all personnel on board,
  • the safe carriage of cargo or tow, and
  • preparing voyage plans and recording all the vessel’s activities.
• Chief Mate 500GT, Domestic

  A Chief Mate is second or third in the line of command after the Master or Captain depending on the voyage and vessel. The Mate is responsible for:

  • loading, stowage, security, and unloading of cargo or tow,
  • ensuring the vessel is well maintained,
  • ensuring the vessel safely avoids other traffic,
  • mooring and anchoring the vessel,
  • keeping fire and security watches, and
  • standing in place of the Captain if the Captain is taken ill.
• Master 500GT, Domestic Certificate

  A Master or Captain of a vessel is in charge of a vessel, its crew members, and passengers and/or cargo while the vessel is at sea or in the port. The Master controls and manages all aspects of the vessel’s operation and his/her responsibilities include ensuring:

  • the safe operation of the vessel at all times,
  • the vessel complies with local and international law,
  • the safety of all personnel on board,
  • the safe carriage of cargo or tow, and
  • preparing voyage plans and recording all the vessel’s activities
• Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal Certificate of Competency

  The Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal Certificate of Competency trains mariners to become second or third position in command behind the Master and/or Chief Mate depending on the voyage and vessel. The Watchkeeping Mate is responsible for:

  • navigating the vessel,
  • responding to emergencies,
  • ensuring the vessel safely avoids other traffic,
  • overseeing the loading, stowage, security, and unloading of cargo,
  • mooring and anchoring the vessel,
  • keeping fire and security watches, and
  • standing in place of the Chief Mate in vessels over 3000 gross tons if the Chief Mate is incapacitated.
• Watchkeeping Mate of a Fishing Vessel

  The holder of a Watchkeeping Mate of a Fishing Vessel may act as Officer in Charge of the Watch of a Fishing Vessel not more than 150 gross tonnage or 24 metres in overall length engaged on a:
  Limited Contiguous Waters Voyage; or Near Coastal, Class 2; or Sheltered Waters Voyage.

  And as Master of a Fishing Vessel of not more than 15 gross tonnage or 12 metres in overall length engaged on a: Near Coastal, Class 2; or Sheltered Waters Voyage.

• Fishing Master Class 3

  The Fishing Master Third Class Certificate of Competency holder may act as Master of a Fishing Vessel of any tonnage engaged on a Near Coastal or Sheltered Waters Voyage and as Officer in Charge of a Watch of a Fishing Vessel of any tonnage engaged on an Unlimited Voyage.

• Fishing Master Class 4

  The holder of the Fishing Master 4 Certificate of Competency may act as Master on board a Fishing Vessel of not more than 100 gross tonnage engaged on a Near Coastal or Sheltered Waters voyage and as Officer in Charge of the Watch of a Fishing Vessel of any tonnage engaged on Near Coastal and Sheltered Waters Voyages.

• Small Vessel Machinery Operator Certificate

  The holder of a Small Vessel Machinery Operator Certificate may act as Chief Engineer or Watchkeeping Engineer on a motor vessel, with the following limitations:
  Passenger Vessel:
  Less than 1,500 kW – Sheltered Waters and Near Coastal Class 2, less than 6 hours duration.
  Less than 750 kW – Sheltered Waters and Limited Near Coastal Class 2;
  Cargo Vessel:
  Less than 2,000 kW – Sheltered Waters and Near Coastal Class 2, less than 6 hours duration;
  Tug:
  Less than 3,000 kW – Sheltered Waters and Near Coastal Class 2, less than 6 hours duration;
  Less than 500 GRT – No more than five nautical miles from a sheltered dock.

• Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Certificate

  The SVOP provides basic theoretic knowledge to those with specified practical skills and experience in small commercial power-driven vessels less than 5 gross tonnage or fishing vessels less than 15 gross tonnage. In addition to the SVOP Certificate, vessel operator must also hold valid MED, and ROC-M Certificates. At least, one crew member must hold a valid Marine Basic First Aid certificate.
  All commercially registered vessels operating in Canada are required by Transport Canada to carry a licensed Master or Skipper. The Small Vessel Operator Proficiency Certificate is required to operate the following small commercial vessels:
  Passenger-carrying vessels that carry less than 12 passengers, are 5 gross tons or less, and operate in Near Coastal 2 or Sheltered waters.
  Work boats such as water taxis, cargo boats, sport-fishing boats, charter boats, crew boats, and whale-watching boats that are 5 gross tons or less and operate in Near Coast 2 and Sheltered Waters.
  Commercial fishing vessels that are 15 gross tons or less and operate in Near Coastal 2 and Sheltered Waters.