As of 2002, where courses are available, those persons working as crew members of fishing vessels or small commercial vessels not greater than 12 metres on length, operating not more than 20 miles offshore have passed a MED A3 Small Vessel Basic Safety Course.

The Canada Shipping Act - Canadian Crewing Regulations states:

"Training"
Cl 21. (1) Every member of the complement of a ship shall, before the member has completed six months on board ships, obtain a certificate of the member's successful completion of training, at a recognized institution, in marine emergency duties with respect to basic safety.

Course Goals

To provide all seafarers with:

• basic understanding of the hazards associated with the marine environment and their own vessel;
• the prevention of shipboard incidents including fire;
• the ability to provide assistance in fire and abandonment emergency situations;
• the knowledge and skills which will enable them to assist in their own survival and rescue.

Introduction and Safety

• Introduction
• Principles of Safety

Hazards and Emergencies

• Types of emergencies
• Problems and effects
• Emergency response
• Signals and Alarms
• Muster Lists
• Drills and Training
• Action upon discovering emergency
• Action when called to an emergency
• Firefighting
• Nature of Fire
• Principals of extinguishment
• Classes of fire and their symbols
• Extinguishing agents
• Portable Extinguishers
• Fire response & Fire Extinguishing
• Fire Causes & Prevention
• Lifesaving appliances and Abandonment
• Life jackets
• Immersion suits
• Life buoy
• Life raft emergency boats and equipment

Survival

• Factors relating to survival;
• Actions to increase chances of survival and rescue;
• Actions taken after abandoning in a survival craft.

Signaling

• Recognize and operation of signaling devices and pyrotechnics.
• Electronic communications.

Rescue

• Rescue Equipment
• Vessel rescue
• Helicopter rescue

Course Duration
The MED A3 course is 8 hours in duration. Courses generally run from 0830 to 1700 hrs daily. (8:30 am to 5 pm) However, applicants should check on course times when registering.

Clothing
The MED A3 course is a classroom delivered course. Dress accordingly.

Attendance
The learner is required to attend a minimum of 95% of the course. Learners attending a minimum of 7.5 hours and successfully passing a 25 question multiple choice test at the completion of the course will be awarded a Transport Canada EXN 24 Training Certificate.

Class Size
MED A3 courses will have a maximum of 12 persons in all practical components of the course. Up to a maximum of 24 persons may attend the classroom portion of the course.