Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal Certificate of Competency
Responsibilities
The Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal Certificate of Competency trains mariners to become second or third position in command behind the Master and/or Chief Mate depending on the voyage and vessel. The Watchkeeping Mate is responsible for:
- navigating the vessel,
- responding to emergencies,
- ensuring the vessel safely avoids other traffic,
- overseeing the loading, stowage, security, and unloading of cargo,
- mooring and anchoring the vessel,
- keeping fire and security watches, and
- standing in place of the Chief Mate in vessels over 3000 gross tons if the Chief Mate is incapacitated.
Accelerated Watchkeeping Mate Certificate
With courses offered back-to-back, students can complete a Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal certificate in 36 weeks.
Students who have successfully complete this certificate may act as:
- Chief Mate on board a vessel of not more than 3,000 gross tonnage on a near coastal voyage, and
- Chief Mate on board a vessel of any tonnage engaged on a sheltered waters voyage.
An Applicant for a Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal Certificate of Competency must be at least 18 years old on the day on which he/she receives the Certificate and meet the following requirements:
After the age of 16, the applicant must have acquired at least 36 months of sea time performing deck duties on vessel(s) of at least 25GT while the vessel(s) are engage in voyages beyond Sheltered Waters. This must include 6 months performing bridge watching duties under the supervision of a qualified deck officer.
According to the Marine Personnel Regulations, sea service is not a pre-requisite 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
- MED STCW Basic Safety Training
- MED STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats
- MED STCW Advanced Fire Fighting
- GMDSS Restricted Operator Certificate – Marine Commercial
- Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
- Marine Advanced First Aid
- Communications
- Chartwork and Pilotage, Level 2;
- Meteorology, Level 1;
- Ship Construction and Stability, Level 4;
- Cargo, Level 2;
- General Ship Knowledge, Level 3;
- Navigation Safety, Level 1 and Orals Preparation
- Leadership and Teamwork
- Electronic Positioning System (Former SEN Level 1A)
- SEN at the Operational Level (Former SEN, Level 1B)
- A steering testimonial attesting to the applicant’s ability to steer.
This program includes courses required to take the Transport Canada oral exam for the Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal certificate. Transport Canada issues Certificates of Competency upon successful completion of the oral examination.
This program does not require approval by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training. As such, this program has not been reviewed by PTIB.
Career Opportunities for Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal Grads
Western Maritime Institute Watchkeeping Mate certificate grads are now employed as Mates with:
Program Schedule- Registrations Open May 4th
| Courses | Dates | Cost |
| General Ship Knowledge Level 3 | Sep. 08-Oct. 01, 2026 | $2,390 |
| Communications | Oct. 05-08, 2026 | $600 |
| Navigation Safety Level 1 | Oct. 13-20, 2026 | $1,450 |
| Meteorology Level 1 | Oct. 21-Nov. 05, 2026 | $2,550 |
| Leadership and Teamwork | Nov. 09-13, 2026 | $1,075 |
| Chartwork and Pilotage Level 2 | Nov. 16-Dec. 18, 2026 | $2,950 |
| Ship Construction and Stability Level 4 | Jan. 04-Feb. 24 ,2027 | $4,525 |
| Cargo Level 2 | Mar. 01-23, 2027 | $2,450 |
| Marine Advanced First Aid | Mar. 29-Apr. 02, 2027 | $980 |
| ECDIS | Apr. 05-09, 2027 | $1,900 |
| MED STCW Advanced Firefighting | Apr. 12-16, 2027 | $2,200 |
| SEN- Electronic Positioning System(Online) | Apr. 19-May 04, 2027 | $3,050 |
| Restricted Operator Certificate- Marine Commercial | May 05-07, 2027 | $850 |
| SEN- Operational | May 10-June 02, 2027 | $4,300 |
| Orals Preparation | June 07-11, 2027 | $475 |
| All Inclusive Cost | $31,745.00 |