Canada SVOP cheat sheet

SVOP is a Transport Canada certification under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001) and the Small Vessel Regulations (SVR); it is required for operators of small commercial vessels not otherwise requiring a higher certificate.

SVOP is a certificate of competency, not a licence: it is issued by Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS) after completing an approved SVOP course and passing the SVOP examination.

Typical SVOP candidates: operators of small passenger vessels (up to 12 passengers plus crew, under 5 gross tonnage in some cases), workboats, fishing vessels under 15 GT, and other small commercial craft.

SVOP is distinct from the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), which is for recreational vessels; SVOP is for commercial operations and covers vessel handling, safety, and emergency procedures.

Required certificates depend on vessel type/size: SVOP for small commercial vessels; Master Limited, Fishing Master, or other certificates for larger or specialized vessels; MED (Marine Emergency Duties) training is separate and often required in addition to SVOP.

The SVOP certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issue; renewal requires evidence of sea service, re-examination, or completion of a refresher course as specified by Transport Canada.

The SVOP course syllabus includes: vessel handling and manoeuvring, collision regulations (COLREGS), navigation and chartwork, weather, safety equipment, emergency procedures, and pollution prevention.

Operators must carry the SVOP certificate (or a copy) on board the vessel at all times while operating commercially, and produce it on demand to a Transport Canada inspector, police, or peace officer.

Non-compliance: operating a commercial vessel without the required SVOP certificate can result in fines under the CSA 2001 and/or the SVR, and may void insurance coverage; the vessel may be detained.

SVOP examination: typically 50 multiple-choice questions, passing mark 70%; the exam is closed-book and covers all syllabus areas, with emphasis on collision regulations and emergency procedures.

Gross tonnage (GT) is a measure of internal volume, not weight: GT = K1 × V, where V is the total volume of all enclosed spaces in cubic metres and K1 = 0.2 + 0.02 log10(V).

Net tonnage (NT) reflects earning capacity; for small vessels it is often calculated using simplified formulas under the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969.

Stability: a vessel is stable when the centre of gravity (G) is below the metacentre (M); the metacentric height GM = KM − KG; positive GM indicates initial stability.

Righting lever GZ = GM × sin(θ) for small angles; the area under the GZ curve up to 30° must be at least 0.055 metre-radians (IMO intact stability criterion).

Load lines: small commercial vessels may be subject to load line requirements under the Load Line Regulations; the deck line and load line marks must be permanently marked and not submerged when loaded.

Freeboard is the vertical distance from the waterline to the freeboard deck; minimum freeboard is determined by vessel length, type, and assigned load line, and must never be reduced by overloading.

Maximum load capacity (persons, cargo, fuel, water) must be posted on a capacity plate or in the vessel's stability booklet; exceeding it compromises stability and is an offence under the SVR.

Bilge and freeing ports must be kept clear; watertight integrity (hatches, doors, scuppers) must be maintained to preserve reserve buoyancy and stability.

Weight distribution: keep heavy items low and centred; avoid free surface effect from partially filled tanks, which reduces effective GM and can cause capsize.

Hull inspection: check for cracks, delamination, corrosion, and osmosis; structural repairs must be done to a recognized standard (e.g., Transport Canada, classification society, or manufacturer's specification).

Rule 5 (Look-out): every vessel must maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing, and by all available means, to make a full appraisal of the situation and risk of collision.

Rule 6 (Safe speed): speed must be safe for prevailing circumstances, including visibility, traffic density, manoeuvrability, background lights, and stopping distance.

Rule 7 (Risk of collision): if there is any doubt, risk of collision shall be deemed to exist; a steady bearing and decreasing range indicates risk; use radar plotting or systematic observation.

Rule 8 (Action to avoid collision): action must be positive, made in ample time, and large enough to be readily apparent; avoid small successive changes; if altering course, alter substantially.

Rule 13 (Overtaking): an overtaking vessel must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken; overtaking is when approaching from more than 22.5° abaft the beam.

Rule 14 (Head-on): when two power-driven vessels meet head-on or nearly so, each must alter course to starboard and pass port-to-port.

Rule 15 (Crossing): when two power-driven vessels are crossing with risk of collision, the vessel with the other on her starboard side must keep out of the way and avoid crossing ahead.

Rule 18 (Responsibilities between vessels): power-driven vessels give way to sailing vessels, vessels not under command, restricted in ability to manoeuvre, fishing vessels, and vessels constrained by draft, in that order of precedence.

Rule 19 (Restricted visibility): reduce speed to minimum steerageway, have engines ready for immediate manoeuvre, and if risk of collision exists, take avoiding action; a vessel detecting another forward of her beam by radar alone must avoid altering course to port.

Navigation lights and shapes (Rules 20–31): power-driven vessel underway shows masthead light(s), sidelights, and sternlight; sailing vessel shows sidelights and sternlight; anchor shape is a black ball by day, all-round white light at night.

Life-saving appliances: small commercial vessels must carry approved lifejackets/PFDs for each person on board, plus a throwable flotation device; lifejackets must be readily accessible, not stowed in locked compartments.

Lifejacket inspection: check for tears, missing straps, broken zippers, and legible labels; inflatable PFDs require periodic servicing per manufacturer's schedule (typically annually or every 2 years).

Fire extinguishers: minimum one 5-B:C dry chemical extinguisher for vessels under 6 m; larger vessels require additional extinguishers by length and hazard; mount securely and inspect monthly.

Fire triangle: heat, fuel, oxygen; remove any one to extinguish; use PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) for extinguisher operation; never use water on electrical or fuel fires.

Distress signals: flares (Type A/B/C/D), smoke signals, EPIRB, SART, and DSC radio; flares have expiry dates (typically 4 years from manufacture) and must be replaced before expiry; store in a waterproof container.

Mayday vs Pan-Pan: Mayday is for grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance; Pan-Pan is for urgency without immediate danger; Sécurité is for safety messages.

Man overboard (MOB): shout 'Man overboard', throw a float, mark position (MOB button/GPS), manoeuvre to return (Williamson turn or Anderson turn), approach from downwind, and recover with engine in neutral.

Abandon ship: only on the order of the master; don immersion suits/lifejackets, take the ditch bag (EPIRB, flares, water, first aid), launch liferaft, and stay with the vessel if possible until it sinks.

Hypothermia: cold water immersion causes cold shock (first 1–3 minutes), cold incapacitation (3–30 minutes), and hypothermia (after 30 minutes); H.E.L.P. (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) and huddling conserve heat.

Emergency drills: fire, MOB, abandon ship, and flooding drills should be conducted regularly; records of drills and equipment inspections must be maintained and available for inspection.

Weather sources: Environment Canada marine forecasts, NAVTEX, VHF continuous marine weather broadcasts, and GRIB files; check forecasts before departure and monitor during passage.

Beaufort scale: Force 0 (calm, <1 knot) to Force 12 (hurricane, 64+ knots); wave height roughly corresponds to Beaufort force, but fetch and depth also influence sea state.

Pressure systems: low pressure brings unsettled weather and wind (counter-clockwise circulation in Northern Hemisphere); rising pressure indicates improving weather; a rapid drop signals approaching storm.

Fog: reduce speed, sound fog signals (one prolonged blast every 2 minutes for power-driven vessels underway), use radar and GPS, and post a lookout; fog signals are required under COLREGS Rule 35.

Tides and currents: use tide tables and current atlases; rule of twelfths for tidal range (1/12, 2/12, 3/12, 3/12, 2/12, 1/12 per hour); slack water occurs between flood and ebb.

Chartwork: use nautical charts (paper or electronic), plot position by GPS, dead reckoning, or visual bearings; understand chart symbols (buoys, lights, depths, hazards, magnetic variation).

Buoyage (IALA Region A, used in Canada): red buoys mark the port side of a channel when entering from seaward; green buoys mark starboard; cardinal marks indicate safe water direction.

Passage planning: consider vessel draft, bridge clearances, tidal windows, weather, fuel range, alternate ports, and crew experience; file a float plan with a responsible person.

Compass: magnetic variation is the angle between true and magnetic north; deviation is caused by the vessel's own magnetic field; compass error = variation + deviation (with sign convention).

Speed-time-distance: Distance = Speed × Time; 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour; 1 nautical mile = 1.852 km; use the 60:1 rule (1 minute of arc = 1 nm) for quick calculations.

MARPOL Annex I (oil): discharge of oil or oily mixtures into the sea is prohibited; small vessels must retain oily waste and dispose of it at a reception facility.

MARPOL Annex IV (sewage): discharge of untreated sewage is prohibited within 3 nautical miles of shore; beyond 3 nm, discharge must be comminuted and disinfected, and the vessel must be proceeding at least 4 knots.

MARPOL Annex V (garbage): disposal of all garbage into the sea is prohibited except food waste, which may be discharged beyond 12 nm from shore (comminuted, beyond 3 nm).

Oil pollution reporting: any discharge or probable discharge of oil must be reported immediately to the Canadian Coast Guard (VHF Ch 16 or 1-800-889-8852) and to Transport Canada.

Spill response: stop the source, contain the spill with booms or absorbents, notify authorities, and record the incident; do not use dispersants without authorization.

Bilge management: use an oily water separator or retain bilge water in a holding tank; never pump oily bilge overboard; keep engine drip trays clean.

Anti-fouling paint: use approved anti-fouling coatings; copper-based paints are restricted in some areas; follow manufacturer's application and disposal instructions.

Garbage management plan: vessels over 12 m must carry a garbage management plan and maintain a garbage record book; all vessels should have a garbage placard and receptacles.

Environmental offences under the CSA 2001 and the Migratory Birds Convention Act can result in significant fines and imprisonment; masters and operators are personally liable.

Pre-departure checklist: check weather, fuel, oil, coolant, bilges, batteries, navigation lights, safety equipment, and engine; ensure all crew are briefed on emergency procedures.

Engine checks: check oil level, coolant level, fuel filters, belts, and hoses before each trip; monitor engine temperature, oil pressure, and exhaust during operation.

Fuel management: know fuel consumption rate (L/h) and tank capacity; apply the 1/3 rule (1/3 out, 1/3 back, 1/3 reserve) for fuel planning.

Battery and electrical: check battery charge, terminals, and electrolyte; ensure navigation lights, VHF radio, and bilge pump are on separate circuits where possible.

Mooring and anchoring: use appropriate anchor type for bottom (Danforth for sand/mud, Bruce for general, plow for rock); scope 5:1 to 7:1 for chain, 7:1 to 10:1 for rope.

Line handling: use cleats, bollards, and fairleads properly; keep lines coiled and ready; never stand in the bight of a line under load.

Crew briefing: brief crew on lifejacket location, fire extinguisher location, MOB procedure, radio use, and their specific duties before departure.

Master's authority: the master is responsible for the safety of the vessel, crew, and passengers; the master's decisions on safety are final and cannot be overridden by the owner or charterer.

Record keeping: maintain logbook, maintenance records, drill records, and equipment inspection records; these may be requested by Transport Canada during an inspection.

Fatigue management: ensure adequate rest before operating; fatigue impairs judgment and reaction time; Transport Canada work/rest rules apply to commercial operators.