Enhanced Bridge Watch Rating

Begin your career at sea!

Indigenous people and women who are Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents are invited to participate in the fully-funded Bridge Watch Rating Program to learn and enhance seamanship skills, earn nationally-recognized certifications, and embark upon an exciting, entry-level career in the Marine industry.

Supported by Transport Canada and OPP (Oceans Protection Plan), and via a partnership with BCIT, Camosun’s Bridge Watch Rating Program provides a pathway for you to enter into rewarding marine sector careers. You will learn the essential knowledge and skills related to the practice of seamanship, navigation, standards of safe working procedures, and the hazards associated with the marine environment.

Learn from experienced sailors, take field trips, practice hands-on techniques, undertake a practicum at sea, and earn nationally recognized Transport Canada marine certifications. Marine-based employers are excited to hire our graduates! View the Bridge Watch Rating Program application form here.

A Camosun Success Story

Richard Watts, a graduate from the Bridge Watch Rating Program, talks about his experience with the program.

Click on each tab to learn more.

Get the skills you need to begin a career on the water

Training covers the hands-on skills and coursework required by Transport Canada for employment. Over 17 weeks (depending on electives) this full-time program is based on three modular courses designed to prepare you for a career in the marine industry.

Gain hands-on skills and knowledge in:

Keeping a lookout
Steering the vessel
Operating communication systems
Anchoring and mooring
Responding to emergencies
Basic environmental protection procedures
Assisting in cargo operations
Handling ropes and chains

Earn nationally recognized training certificates:

Transport Canada Bridge Watch Rating Training Certificate
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 2015)
Foodsafe Level 1
Restricted Operator's Certificate - Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)
Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP)
Marine Basic First Aid Certificate (MBFA)
STCW Basic Safety Training (BST)
STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC)

Train for a variety of marine vessels

The program is designed to provide entry-level personnel with base-level knowledge of seamanship to prepare for a career at sea with:

BC Ferries
Canadian Coast Guard
Local tug operators
Cruise ships
Deep-sea vessels, and more

In addition to working on commercial vessels, career opportunities exist for:

Water-based ecotourism
Commercial fishing
Sport fishing
Travel
Other recreational marine guiding roles

Program Cost

All tuition, books, and course materials (including pens and pencils) are provided
Lunch or lunch funds are provided for all students for each day a student is on campus
Bus passes for travel within the greater Victoria area are provided
Students who must relocate to attend training may be eligible to receive accommodation and meals for the time that they are away from home (including required training modules in Vancouver)

Costs not covered:

Program Start

Multiple start dates are available throughout the year. The course is offered at Camosun College in Victoria with supplementary training at BCIT in North Vancouver. Contact BridgeWatchRating@camosun.ca for more details on dates, location, entrance requirements, and prerequisites, or to apply for the Bridge Watch Rating Program.

Entrance Requirements

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis from women and Indigenous people who are Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents. Applications must meet all entrance requirements and prerequisites to be waitlisted for a seat.

Prerequisites

Government-issued photo ID
Transport Canada Candidate Document Number (CDN) - Obtain one here
Seafarers' Medical Certificate for the Deckhand Occupation from a Transport Canada-approved physician - Obtain one here
High school grade of 50% or higher in English 12 OR First Peoples' English 12 OR English Studies 12 OR academic assessment
High school grade of 50% or higher in any Math 11 OR academic assessment

If you are unsure of your level for English 12 or Math 11, please contact us for assistance.

Apply today

For the open enrollment Bridge Watch Rating Program, please register here.

Contact BridgeWatchRating@camosun.ca for more details.

Class hours: 8:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday excluding statutory holidays and College closures.

Questions? Please contact BridgeWatchRating@camosun.ca.

Interested in other Nautical training courses and programs?

View all other upcoming nautical courses here. For more information on nautical courses, contact Captain Mori Peivast by email at peivastm@camosun.ca or by phone at 250-370-4016.

Contact a member of the ProSIT team via email at prosit@camosun.ca or by phone at 250-370-4563 for nautical course registration information.

We are especially grateful to live, work, and play on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen (Songhees, Esquimalt), Malahat, Pacheedaht, Scia'new, T'Sou-ke, and WSÁNEĆ (Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum) peoples. We acknowledge their welcome and graciousness to the students who seek knowledge here.