A Guide for Ukrainian Seafarers

joining Horizon Maritime

1. Open Work Permit
2. CDN Number
3. Canadian Discharge Book
4. Resume
5. Marine Medical Examination
6. Canadian Endorsement
7. Knowledge of Canadian Marine Laws
8. Ukrainian Certificates verification process
9. Marine Safety and Security Transport Canada
Centres (TCC)
 Welcome to Canada!

1. Open Work Permit

In order to work in Canada or for a Canadian Employer, you will need a work permit.
This permit can be acquired upon FIRST arrival in Canada, whether it be by plane,
boat, or land border from the USA.
You can find more information about obtaining a work permit at this link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-
citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures/ukraine-open-
work-permit.html..
If you qualify for the CUAET Visa, you will receive an open work permit that is valid
for a duration of 3 years.
 2. CDN Number
A CDN number is a Candidate document number allotted to a candidate by Transport
Canada Marine Safety (TCMS). All your training and qualification records are
maintained in our TCMS computer database (ACES) under your CDN number.
Refer to Ship Safety Bulletin 02/2016 https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-
transportation/marine-safety/ship-safety-bulletins/streamlined-application-process-
candidate-document-number-cdn-ssb-no-02-2016

Persons who need a CMD must complete an Application for a Candidate Document
Number (CDN). This form must be presented in person to the closest TCMS office,
together with documents that will clearly identify the candidate.
An applicant can complete and print the application form available
on link: http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Corp-Serv-Gen/5/Forms-Formulaires/search.aspx.
The completed application, together with two (2) documents as proof of identity, must
be submitted in person to the
closest TCMS office, http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/regions.htm.
You can also search “Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security” on Google Maps.

Applicants, who, due to residence in distant and remote locations, are unable to
visit a TCMSS office, may apply by mail to the nearest District office. The
correspondence shall include the completed Application for a Candidate Document
Number(CDN) form and a copy of any identity document

It's best to to call TCMS in advance and make an appointment!

 3. Canadian Discharge Book
Please contact your local Marine Safety and Security Transport Canada
Centres (TCC) to apply for a Discharge Book.
Discharge Books can be requested by completing an application at the
closest TCMSS office.
Discharge Books are issued to
•a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident who serve onboard any vessel,
and
•a person who is not a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident but
presents reasonable proof that they are about to be employed on a
Canadian vessel. You also may obtain a letter of proof from Horizon
Maritime, confirming your intent to join one of our vessels.

Please ensure that you have scheduled an appointment in advance and

have your CDN Number, Photo ID, and Photo (in Canadian Passport
Standard) ready.

You can have your passport photo taken at the nearest Walmart,
Shoppers, or Staples.
 4. Resume
When applying for a job in Canada, you have to make sure your resume conforms to Canadian
application standards.
The most popular resume format in Canada is the reverse-chronological format (which is also called
the chronological format). It's so widely used that it's expected by most recruiters. The chronological
format puts your most recent work experiences first and then goes back in time.
Canadian Resume is a concise, one- to two-page document that focuses on a candidate’s relevant
skills, work experience, and achievements. Canadian resumes tend to be more privacy-conscious
and focused on skills and experiences rather than personal details, reflecting Canadian employment
laws and cultural norms.
! Here are some key differences:
Personal Information:
Seafarer CV: Often includes a photo, date of birth, nationality, and possibly marital status. These are
common in many countries to give a comprehensive view of the candidate.
Canadian Resume: Generally, does not include a photo, age, date of birth, marital status, or
nationality. Canadian employers are prohibited from making hiring decisions based on personal
characteristics unrelated to the job, to prevent discrimination.
Length and Detail:
Seafarer CV: May be more detailed and longer, including a comprehensive list of ships served on,
types of vessels, engine details, cargo types, and specific responsibilities on each ship.
Canadian Resume: Typically concise, ideally 1-2 pages long, focusing on relevant experience, skills,
and education. Detailed technical specifics are usually less emphasized unless directly relevant to
the job being applied for.
Focus on Certifications and Training:
Seafarer CV: Heavy emphasis on maritime certifications, courses, and health certificates specific to the
maritime industry, such as Basic Safety Training, Advanced Fire Fighting, and Certificates of Competency.
Canadian Resume: While certifications and training relevant to the job are important, the emphasis is on
demonstrating how your skills and experiences make you a good fit for the position. This might include a
mix of formal education, job-related training, and transferable skills.
Privacy and Legal Compliance:
Seafarer CV: The inclusion of personal data is more accepted and sometimes expected, depending on the
country.
Canadian Resume: Strict adherence to privacy laws means avoiding the inclusion of information that could
be used to discriminate against a candidate, such as religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or photos.
Objective or Summary Statement:
Seafarer CV: May not always include a personal statement or summary at the beginning.
Canadian Resume: Often starts with a brief objective or professional summary that highlights the
candidate’s career goals and what they bring to the table. This is tailored to the specific job and employer.
Language and Terminology:
Seafarer CV: Uses maritime-specific terminology and jargon that is understood within the industry.
Canadian Resume: While industry-specific terms are used, there's a focus on making the resume
understandable to non-specialists, especially when applying to roles that involve cross-disciplinary teams
or when the HR personnel may not be familiar with maritime jargon.
Format and Presentation:
Seafarer CV: Format can vary widely by country and personal preference, with some emphasis on
chronological work history.
Canadian Resume: Prefers a clean, professional layout with a focus on readability. Bullet points are
commonly used to list achievements and responsibilities in a concise manner.

! Here you can download some free templates:

https://create.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/resumes
5. Marine Medical Examination
A Marine Medical Examination may only be carried out by a designated Marine Medical
Examiner.

If assessed as fit, a Provisional Marine Medical Certificate (valid for 6 months) will be
issued to you immediately. The permanent certificate will be mailed to you from
Transport Canada, Ottawa. The validity period will be for 2 years, commencing on the
date that the initial medical examination was performed.
Medical center will encourage you to bring 2 pieces of government ID, list of
medications or a printout from the pharmacy, any relevant medical reports that my
support your success in passing this exam.

The applicant must schedule an appointment for a marine medical examination with
a Marine Medical Examiner (MME) and complete the applicable form available onsite
at the MME’s office. Designated MMEs are found at https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-
sec-sur/4/mme-mdm/eng/marine-medical-examiners/search.

Note! There is necessary to have your CDN Number ready.

 6. Canadian Endorsement
Transport Canada has issued a Ship Safety Bulletin 29/2022. This contains the process on apply
for the Canadian Endorsement.
- Canada has signed a reciprocal arrangement with Ukraine.
- Ukrainian seafarers holding a valid STCW certificate and who intend to work onboard a
Canadian-flagged vessel can now apply online for a Canadian endorsement.
The Canadian endorsement will be valid for a period that does not exceed the expiry date
on the face of the Ukrainian certificate it endorses
Who can apply?
An authorized representative (AR), of a Canadian flagged vessel, may apply for
a Canadian endorsement for a foreign seafarer who holds a valid STCW
certificate with which Canada has a signed reciprocal arrangement to
recognize STCW certificates. A certificate that will expire within the next six
months from the date of the application will not be endorsed, the foreign
seafarer must have it renewed by their Administration before the AR makes an
application for a Canadian endorsement.

Which STCW certificates can be endorsed by Transport Canada?

A certificate of competency issued under Regulations II/1, II/2, II/3, III/1, III/2,
III/3, IV/2, VII/2 or a certificate of proficiency issued under Regulations V/1-1
and V/1-2 of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended.
Documents you need to apply
To apply for a Canadian endorsement, please download and follow the
instructions contained within the following Transport Canada forms:
•Application for a Canadian endorsement (Form #82-0786)
•Declaration from an Authorized Representative (Form #82-0787)
! A foreign seafarer must meet the requirements Immigration, Refugee and
Citizenship Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada to
work in Canada, including obtaining a valid work permit.

Transport Canada will only process applications that have been supported
by a Canadian authorized representative. This means that only a company
looking to hire you as an employee or if you have obtained Permanent
Resident status, can apply for your Canadian Endorsement.
Alternatively, there is another option to apply for Canadian endorsement on
your own once you obtain permanent residency in Canada.

To apply for a Canadian endorsement on behalf of a seafarer, Horizon

Maritime will be required to provide the following information:
• A Declaration for a Canadian Endorsement form completed and signed by the
foreign seafarer (82-0786);
• A Declaration of the Authorized Representative form completed and signed by
the AR (82-0787);
 • A valid medical certificate;
• A valid foreign passport;
• A valid Canadian work permit;
• A passport-sized photo, taken within the last six months;
• Verified Ukrainian documents from their new system (marad.gov.ua):
As for the Ukrainian seafarers, please be advised, we now have a temporary way forward but will
require additional information submitted by the AR/Candidate. Candidates will now be required to
verify their Certificates of Competency (COC), Certificates of Endorsement (COE), Certificates of
Proficiency (COP) for AFF, PSCRB, & STCWBS, and other required COP’s, ie. Tankers. Once a
candidate verifies their certificates and receives the verified document attached as PDFs, each with
its own QR code in their email, please forward these emails to us for further verification by us. We
strive to continue to meet our service standard of 10 business days to issue a Confirmation of the
Receipt of an Application (CRA) upon receiving a complete application. Please see the link below for
Ukrainian candidates to use for this verification purpose: The Ukrainian website link: Verification
service (marad.gov.ua)
Horizon Maritime is required to declare that the foreign seafarer possesses a proficient
understanding, speaking, reading, and writing ability in either English or French,
enabling them to fulfill their duties competently. This proficiency will be assessed
during the interview process.

Additionally, it is necessary for Horizon Maritime to declare that the foreign seafarer
has adequate knowledge of Canadian maritime laws and regulations in order to
ensure the safety and efficiency of vessel operations. Transport Canada mandates that
the company will conduct thorough on-board orientation to confirm this knowledge
and keep detailed records to be submitted to TC
7. Knowledge of Canadian Marine Laws
Knowledge of Canadian Marine Laws refers to a person's understanding of the laws and regulations
governing the maritime industry in Canada. This includes rules regarding safety, security,
environmental protection, and other areas that are applicable to persons working in this industry.
The on-board familiarization must be developed by the AR to ensure that the foreign seafarer
becomes familiar with the Canadian maritime laws and has
appropriate knowledge to effectively perform their assigned duties, especially when performing
duties vital to safety and the prevention or mitigation of pollution.
Horizon Maritime will provide you all necessary materials required for the preparation for the
onboarding interview.
During the interview, the following topics to be discussed:
○ The principal government departments which regulate the marine industry;
○ The purpose, the general content, and the structure of the applicable Acts and Regulation as listed in Annex 1.
○ Where to look for information regarding the following topics: Hull inspection; Machinery inspection; Tackle
and lifting appliances inspection; Safe working practices; Occupational health and safety; Labour standards;
Emergency drills; Safety management system; and Administrative monetary penalties.
○ Specific Canadian requirements regarding: Occupational health and safety; Hours of work and rest; Rights and
duties of employer and worker; Refusal to work in dangerous conditions; Reporting requirements for accidents,
incidents and hazardous occurrences, personal injury, or death to TC and Transportation Safety Board; Permitted
discharge of pollutants; Emission control areas; Ballast water control and management; Pollution certificates;
NORDREG; Inspection certificates; Load line certificates; Conditions for issue and renewal certificate; Authorities
and powers of Transport Canada and Transportation Safety Board of Canada; Authorities and powers of marine
safety inspectors; Authorities and powers of delegated health and safety officers; Vessel traffic schemes and
reporting requirements (nautical only); Charts and publications to be carried on board (nautical only); ECDIS
training (nautical only); and Canadian modifications to the international regulations
for preventing collisions at sea and Canadian aids to navigation system (nautical only).
8. Ukrainian Certificates verification process
The verification process for STCW certificates, CoCs, endorsements, and certificates of proficiency
for Ukrainian seafarers is conducted through the Ukrainian Marine Administration's website. Here's
a summary of the process:
1.Registration: First, you need to register on the official website of the Shipping Administration by
selecting the "Verification" section and following the provided link to create a new account. The
registration form requires your personal data, including email, password, full name, sex, date of
birth, phone number, and an optional 3×4 cm photo.
2.Document Verification Request: After registration, you can request document verification by
accessing the "Document Verification Request" section in your Personal Cabinet. You'll need to fill
in the required data for the "Confirmation of qualification documents" form for each document
separately and then submit your request.
3.Verification Results: The status of your request can be checked in your online account, where it
will be listed as "Approved", "Rejected", "Being processed", or "Canceled". If your document is
verified successfully, it will be marked as "Valid" in your account, and you will be able to download
a verification PDF with a QR code in both Ukrainian and English. This document confirms that your
credentials have been verified. If the document is not valid or if there were issues with the request
form, it will be indicated accordingly.

For more detailed instructions, including how to navigate the verification website, you can visit the
Ukrainian Marine Administration's official portal at marad.gov.ua or directly access the verification
page at vrf.marad.gov.ua.
9. Marine Safety and Security Transport Canada Centres (TCC)
Ontario Region
•Sarnia: 519-464-5111 / Email: MSSarnia-SarniaSM@tc.gc.ca
•Toronto: 416-952-1018 / Email: MSToronto-SMToronto@tc.gc.ca Atlantic Region
•Kingston: 613-545-8676 / Email: MSKingston-SMKingston@tc.gc.ca New Brunswick:
•St. Catharines: 905-688-4360 / Email: MSStCatharines- •Bathurst: 506 548-7491 / Email: BathurstTCCAdmin-
SMStCatharines@tc.gc.ca AdminCTCBathurst@tc.gc.ca
•Thunder Bay: 807-766-2600 / Email: MSThunderBay- •Saint John: 506-636-4748 / Email: SaintJohnInspectionServices-
SMThunderBay@tc.gc.ca InspectionServicesSaintJohn@tc.gc.ca
Québec Region Newfoundland & Labrador:
•Îles-de-la-Madeleine: 418-986-6275 / Email : tc.querimouskictc- •Corner Brook: 709-637-4390 / Email: cornerbrookprogram-
rimouskitccque.tc@tc.gc.ca programmecornerbrook@tc.gc.ca
•Montréal: 1-855-842-7042 or 514-283-0574 / •Lewisporte: 709-535-2503 / Email: lewisporteprogram-
Email: tc.exams.examens.mtl@tc.gc.ca programmelewisporte@tc.gc.ca
•Québec: 1-888-649-6292 or 418-648-3238 / •St. John’s: 709-772-5167 / Email: stjohnsexamcenter-
Email: examensmaritimes-tcque-marineexams@tc.gc.ca centredexamenstjohns@tc.gc.ca
•Rimouski: 1-800-427-4417 or 418-722-3040 / Nova Scotia:
Email: tc.querimouskictc-rimouskitccque.tc@tc.gc.ca •Dartmouth: 902-461-3861 / Email: DartmouthExamCenter-
•Sept-Îles: 418-968-4991 / Email: TCMarineSafety-SeptIles- CentredexamenDartmouth@tc.gc.ca
TCSecuriteMaritime@tc.gc.ca •Port Hawkesbury: 902-625-0803 / Email: PortHawkesburyInspectionServices-
Prairie & Northern Region ServicesDinspection@tc.gc.ca
•All offices: 1-888-463-0521 / Email: pnrmarine-administration- •Sydney: 902-564-7002 / Email: sydneyinspectionservices-
maritimepnr@tc.gc.ca inspectionservicessydney@tc.gc.ca
Pacific Region •Yarmouth: 902-742-6860 / Email: YarmouthExamCenter-
•Vancouver: 604-666-0834 / Email: TC.CEServices- CentreDexamenYarmouth@tc.gc.ca
ServicesFE.TC@tc.gc.ca Prince Edward Island:
•Prince Rupert: 250-627-3045 / Email: TC.TM-PRU.TC@tc.gc.ca •Charlottetown: 902-566-7987 or 902-566-7986 /
•Victoria: 250-363-0394 / Email: PACMSSVictoria- Email: CharlottetownTCCAdmin-AdminCTCCharlottetown@tc.gc.ca
VictoriaSSM@tc.gc.ca
•Nanaimo: 250-754-0244 / Email: pacmssnanaimo-
nanaimossm@tc.gc.ca
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