No. H 037/07
For release March 27, 2007
OTTAWA -- The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, today announced a one-year grace period for fish
harvesters and sealers to complete mandatory training in the principles of basic
safety at sea.
As a result, Transport Canada will not take enforcement action if a crew member
can show proof of registration in a Marine Emergency Duties (MED) training
course before April 1, 2008. The training focuses on emergency response to first
aid, fire and abandon ship situations. While most fish harvesters have completed
this training, the industry requested that Transport Canada consider an
extension for those who have not yet taken the course.
"These training requirements have been put in place to improve safety aboard
small commercial vessels and Transport Canada fully expects crew members to
register in a course as soon as possible," said Minister Cannon. "However,
Transport Canada also recognizes that time away from fishing may translate
directly into lost income, which is why we're willing to grant an enforcement
grace period of one year."
In 1997, Transport Canada amended the Crewing Regulations of the Canada Shipping
Act to make MED courses mandatory for crew members of small vessels by July 30,
2000. In recognition of the scope of implementation, Transport Canada initially
postponed this requirement to July 2002, then, in response to concerns expressed
by fish harvesters and training institutions in meeting this deadline, Transport
Canada further extended the deadline to April 1, 2007.
These requirements apply to all operators of small commercial vessels including
fish harvesters and sealers. It is the responsibility of the owner/master to
comply with all regulatory requirements, including the qualifications of all
those on board that are part of the crew. MED courses are the most basic safety
training, and are readily available for people working on fishing vessels.
Transport Canada has issued a Ship Safety Bulletin communicating the extension
to small commercial vessel owners. It can be found at www.tc.gc.ca.
A backgrounder on MED training is attached.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities,
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Kirsten Goodnough
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
BACKGROUNDER
MARINE EMERGENCY DUTIES TRAINING FOR FISH HARVESTERS
Marine Emergency Duties (MED) courses train seafarers in the
principles of basic safety at sea such as emergency response to first aid, fire,
and abandon ship situations. Mandatory MED training for crew members on board
fishing vessels has been put in place to help create a higher level of safety
awareness within the fishing community, and to help reduce the number of
fatalities. Many accidents that result in injuries or loss of life occurring on
small fishing vessels are preventable. Being prepared and properly trained can
save lives.
In 1997, Transport Canada amended the Crewing Regulations of the Canada Shipping
Act to make MED courses mandatory for fish harvesters and sealers by July 30, 2000.
In recognition of the scope of implementation, Transport Canada initially
postponed this requirement to July 2002. In light of concerns expressed by fish
harvesters and training institutions in meeting this deadline, Transport Canada
further extended the deadline for completing MED training to April 1, 2007. In
effect, fishermen have now had 10 years to take the training.
While most have completed the training, Transport Canada has agreed to grant an
extension to those who have not yet taken the course. All crew members on board
small commercial vessels, including small fishing vessels, are required to be
registered in a MED course by April 1, 2008.
MED training has been required on large commercial vessels since the late
1970's. This training requirement was extended to all small commercial vessels,
including small fishing vessels, in 1997, following findings by the
Transportation Safety Board that most marine accidents resulting in loss of life
occur on small fishing vessels. After April 1, 2008, should Transport Canada
become aware that crewmembers on board a vessel do not have the appropriate
training, the Master will be notified.
The Master of a vessel is responsible for complying with all applicable safety
standards and regulations when operating his/her vessel. This includes making
sure that all crewmembers on board have taken the required MED training. Masters
will also be advised that sailing with crewmembers that have not taken the
required MED training contravenes the Crewing Regulations of the Canada Shipping
Act and that this could result in enforcement action.
Types of Marine Emergency Duties courses
Commercial fishers must complete one of three available MED
courses -- MED A-1,
MED A-3 or MED A-4
-- or hold a Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Card,
depending on the operations of the vessel on which they work.
The MED A-1 course is the standard course. It consists of 19.5 hours of
instruction that provide crew members with:
basic understanding of the hazards associated with the marine environment and
their own vessels;
training on the prevention of shipboard incidents including fires;
knowledge necessary to raise and react to alarms and emergencies;
information on how to provide assistance in fire and abandonment emergency
situations; and
knowledge and skills to assist in their own survival and rescue.
The MED A-3 and the MED A-4 courses also provide basic safety at sea awareness
training, but are tailored specifically for crew members of smaller vessels and
for the environment of near-shore operations.
The MED A-3 was developed specifically for crew members on vessels operating no
more than 25 miles from shore. It consists of 8 hours of instruction.
The MED A-4 was developed for vessels operating no more than 2 miles from shore
and also consists of 8 hours of instruction.
March 2007
