The certificate requirements for small commercial vessel operators in Canada [less than 5 Gross Tons and less than 12 passengers] have no seatime requirements, unlike higher Master (Captain) licenses. This is why the full amount of classtime is mandatory and why even well experienced mariners may not challenge the SVOP or SDV-BS (formerly MED A3) exams, without attending and participating in the whole course. Even the “old salts” end up learning a thing or two in our classes, especially in regards to relevant regulation and the “new school” way of operating commercial vessels in Canada’s modern maritime industry. 

But there’s nothing like practical experience to drive it all home. If we had unlimited time and funds, we’d like nothing better than bringing our students on the water to practice all the theory and reinforce the concepts learned in the classroom.

Our instructors are vessel operators and captains. They love every opportunity to get out on the water where they belong!