Marine Transportation Security Regulations

211 (1) A vessel security officer shall have knowledge of

• (a) the layout of the vessel; and

• (b) the vessel security plan and its requirements.

(2) A non-SOLAS ship’s vessel security officer shall have, by training or job experience, knowledge and competence that are relevant to the industry in which the vessel operates and are in the following areas:

• (a) those set out for a company security officer in paragraphs 208(a) to (m) and (o) to (s);

• (b) crowd management and control techniques; and

• (c) the operation, testing, calibration and maintenance of security equipment and systems.

(3) Subject to subsections (4) to (6), a SOLAS ship’s vessel security officer shall hold

• (a) in the case of a SOLAS ship that is entitled to fly the Canadian flag, a certificate of proficiency as a ship security officer issued under Part 8; and

• (b) in the case of a SOLAS ship that is entitled to fly the flag of a foreign state, a certificate of proficiency as a ship security officer issued by the contracting government of that state.

(4) Until July 1, 2009, a vessel security officer on a SOLAS ship that is entitled to fly the Canadian flag is not required to hold a certificate of proficiency as a ship security officer if they have proof that before January 1, 2008 they successfully completed vessel security officer training at one of the training institutions listed in Schedule 0.1.

(5) Until July 1, 2009, a vessel security officer on a SOLAS ship that is entitled to fly the flag of a foreign state is not required to hold a certificate of proficiency as a ship security officer if the officer holds or can otherwise document qualifications to fulfil the responsibilities of a vessel security officer.

(6) In circumstances of exceptional necessity, when a person who holds a certificate of proficiency as a ship security officer is temporarily unavailable to serve as vessel security officer on a SOLAS ship, the Administration may permit a member of the vessel’s personnel who has responsibilities respecting the security of the vessel and an understanding of the vessel security plan to serve as vessel security officer on the vessel until it arrives at the next port of call or for a period not exceeding 30 days. That member shall serve as the vessel security officer as permitted by the Administration, and the vessel’s master shall, as soon as possible, inform the relevant maritime authorities of the next ports of call of the arrangements in place.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6), Administration means

• (a) in respect of a SOLAS ship that is entitled to fly the Canadian flag, the Minister; and

• (b) in respect of a SOLAS ship that is entitled to fly the flag of a foreign state, the contracting government of that state.