Marine Personnel Regulations

221 (1) A tug that is engaged on a voyage set out in column 1 of the table to this subsection and that has a propulsive power within a range set out in column 2 shall have on board, and its authorized representative shall employ, for each certificate referred to in column 3 that corresponds to that voyage and range, one engineer who holds, at a minimum, that certificate in the category appropriate to that vessel’s propulsion type.

(2) A tug that has a propulsive power of at least 750 kW but not more than 1 999 kW and that is engaged on a near coastal voyage, Class 2, or a tug that has a propulsive power of at least 1 500 kW but not more than 2 999 kW and that is engaged on a limited near coastal voyage, Class 2 or a sheltered waters voyage, of less than 6 hours’ duration, may have on board and its authorized representative may employ, a person who holds a Small Vessel Machinery Operator certificate, instead of the engineer required by paragraph (a) in column 3 of item 3 or 4 of the table to subsection (1), if

• (a) the tug has a propulsion system comprised of at least two independent engines with respect to their control and fuel systems and that duplication allows for continued propulsion and steering should one engine fail;

• (b) the propulsion system is controlled from the bridge with all necessary gauges, alarms and engine and emergency controls;

• (c) continuous radio contact is maintained with the home base;

• (d) the authorized representative provides

  • (i) a list of pre-departure procedures and verifications, which procedures and verifications shall be carried out by the small vessel machinery operator before each departure, and

  • (ii) a maintenance schedule meeting the recommendations of the manufacturer of the main engines, which maintenance shall be carried out by

    • (A) an engineer who holds at least a Fourth-class Engineer certificate, or

    • (B) a service firm accredited by the manufacturer of the main engines with which the authorized representative has entered into a maintenance contract; and

• (e) records of the pre-departure procedures are readily available, for inspection by a marine safety inspector, on board the vessel or, if the vessel does not travel more than five nautical miles from its home port, readily available in its home port.

(3) A harbour tug of less than 500 gross tonnage that is not a passenger-carrying vessel, that is being used to assist a vessel to dock or undock and that is at no time more than five nautical miles from an accessible dock offering refuge may have on board and its authorized representative may employ, a person who holds a Small Vessel Machinery Operator certificate, instead of the person required by paragraph (b) or (c) in column 3 of item 4 of the table to subsection (1), if

• (a) the harbour tug complies with the requirements of Schedule VIII to the Marine Machinery Regulations;

• (b) a shore engineer is available and ready to intervene should the master determine that the vessel requires immediate assistance;

• (c) the authorized representative provides a list of pre-departure procedures and verifications, which procedures and verifications shall be carried out by the small vessel machinery operator before each departure;

• (d) records of the pre-departure procedures are readily available, for inspection by a marine safety inspector, on board the vessel or, if the vessel does not travel more than five nautical miles from its home port, readily available in its home port; and

• (e) continuous radio contact is maintained with the home base.