Temporary Measures Regarding Marine Medical Certificates, April 2023 - SSB No.: 06/2023

RDIMS No .: 19413369
Date (Y-M-D) : 2023-04-27

 
We issue Ship Safety Bulletins for the marine community. Visit our Website at www.tc.gc.ca/ssb-bsn to view existing bulletins and to sign up to receive e-mail notices of new ones.

Purpose

This Bulletin outlines temporary measures pertaining to marine medical certificates implemented during the labour disruption.

Scope

This Bulletin applies to:

  • Canadian seafarers who hold a marine medical certificate (whether a Provisional Medical Certificate issued under section 275 of the Marine Personnel Regulations; or a medical certificate issued by the Minister under section 278 of the Marine Personnel Regulations, hereinafter referred to as "Marine Medical Certificate"); and
  • Authorized Representatives of Canadian-flagged vessels.

What you need to know

For seafarers who require a medical certificate to obtain or maintain a certificate of competency to work on board a vessel, a Marine Medical Certificate that otherwise would have expired on or after April 19, 2023 but before May 19, 2023, is granted an extension of two (2) months. There is no requirement to submit an application to obtain this extension.

If your marine medical certificate is set to soon expire, we recommend you see a Transport Canada designated Marine Medical Examiner at your earliest opportunity.
Do not wait until the last minute. The list of designated Marine Medical Examiners can be found at the following link:

Also, we ask that you remind your Marine Medical Examiner to send your information to Transport Canada as soon as possible.

Please note:

The extended validity of a Marine Medical Certificate, issued by the Minister under section 278 of the Marine Personnel Regulations, does not extend the validity of any certificate of competency.

Keywords:

1. Medical Certificate
2. Extension
3. Covid-19

Questions concerning this Bulletin should be addressed to:

AMSP

Transport Canada
Marine Safety and Security
Tour C, Place de Ville
330 Sparks Street, 8th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N8

Contact us at: Email: marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca or Telephone: 1-855-859-3123 (Toll Free).