Chief Mate Certificate of Competency 150gt (Domestic)
Responsibilities
A Chief Mate is second in the line of command after the Master or Captain depending on the voyage and vessel. The Chief Mate is responsible for:
- loading, stowage, security, and unloading of cargo or tow,
- ensuring the vessel is well maintained,
- ensuring the vessel safely avoids other traffic,
- mooring and anchoring the vessel,
- keeping fire and security watches, and
- standing in place of the Captain if the Captain is taken ill.
Accelerated and Accredited Marine Training
At Western Maritime Institute, you can complete your Chief Mate 150GT, Domestic Certificate of Competency in just 10 weeks. Because WMI runs longer days than any other marine college in Canada, you’ll finish school faster, get back to work faster, and start earning earlier.
After successfully completing the courses at WMI and Transport Canada oral exam, you can act as:
- Chief Mate on board a vessel of 150 gross tonnage or less engaged on a near coastal voyage, Class 2;
- Chief Mate on board a vessel of 500 gross tonnage or less engaged on a sheltered waters voyage; and
- Chief Mate on board a vessel of 150 gross tonnage or less engaged on a limited voyage, contiguous waters, if endorsed as such.
An applicant for a Chief Mate 150GT, Domestic Certificate of Competency or an Endorsement must have acquired, after the age of 16, 12 months of sea time performing deck duties on vessel(s) of at least 5 gross tonnage. You will also need to be 18 years old in order to receive your Certificate or Endorsement.
According to the Marine Personnel Regulations, sea service is not a prerequisite for sitting the Mate or Master Certificate courses, but students are required to have the appropriate sea service in order to undertake the General Seamanship oral exam at Transport Canada as the last step leading to certification.
Transport Canada-accredited Courses
Take advantage of WMI’s accredited courses, which mean that at the end of each course, you will writing WMI’s exams, not Transport Canada’s. This applies to all courses except for the Navigation Safety exam which is always administered by Transport Canada.
- MED STCW Basic Safety Training
- MED STCW Respect to Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats
- MED STCW Advanced Fire Fighting
- Restricted Operator Certificate – Marine Commercial
- Simulated Electronic Navigation, Limited Training Certificate
- Marine Advanced First Aid
- Chartwork and Pilotage, Level 1**
- Navigation Safety, Level 1 and Orals Preparation
** We recommend that students planning to take the Master, 150GT Domestic certificate at a later date enrol in Chartwork and Pilotage Level 2. This is acceptable for the Chief Mate 150GT, Domestic certificate and exempts the student from re-taking Chartwork for the Master 150GT certificate.**
Students will then need to sit an oral examination on General Seamanship at Transport Canada after successfully completing the courses listed above.
This program does not require approval by the Private Training Institution Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training. As such, PTIB did not review this program.
Career Opportunities for 60 GT Limited Masters
As an aging workforce retires, there are numerous opportunities being created in this field, making this an ideal time to take the next step in your seafaring career. Western Maritime Institute’s Chief Mate 150GT, Domestic Certificate grads are now employed as Mates with:
Program Schedule- Register May 5th
| Courses | Dates | Cost |
| Chartwork & Pilotage Level 1 | Jan. 05-20, 2026 | $1,850 |
| Navigation Safety Level 1 | Jan. 21-28, 2026 | $1,350 |
| Restricted Operator Certificate- Marine Commercial | Jan. 29-31, 2026 | $775 |
| MED STCW Basic Safety Training | Feb. 08-13, 2026 | $2,800 |
| SEN- Limited | Feb. 17-20, 2026 | $1,300 |
| MED STCW Survival Craft | Feb. 23-26, 2026 | $1,700 |
| Marine Advanced First Aid | Mar. 02-06, 2026 | $950 |
| MED STCW Advanced Firefighting | Mar. 16-20, 2026 | $2,200 |
| All Inclusive Cost | $13,525 |