The SVOP is a Transport Canada certification to operate a Small Commercial Boat less than 5 Tonnes (or less than 15 GT for Commercial Fishing). It’s good for many types of commerical boats such as Crew boats, Work boats, Sport-fishing, Whale-watching. 

Find more information about vessel requirements, here is a link to Transport Canada’s Small Vessel regulations here:

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2007-115/

SVOP classes require 26 hours of classroom time over a 4-day period, participants must attend the whole course to pass. There is a multiple choice exam at the end of the course. We provide all materials.

Using a media-rich, clear & logical presentation, safety and relevance are our priority! We believe that workers and operators remember the information we teach and test when the material is local and relevant to the experience of students in the class. Classes are geared toward media-rich, active, hands on presentation. While we use a textbook and students may take notes, we seek to help students retain safety and important information through latest story telling and memory techniques.

Lessons in SVOP syllabus include: Captain’s Responsibility, Collision Regulations and Avoidance, Chartwork, Ropework, Construction and Stability, Aids to Navigation, Electronic Navigation, Search and Rescue, Boat Handling, Weather and Forecasting, and Tides and Currents.

Our instructors are passionate about what they do. They will do everything they can to help you become a captain. Unlike many other schools, our instructors all have experience running small vessels. They understand the unique challenges faced by small boat captains. And, of course, our instructors are Transport Canada approved