I suppose SALTS infected me, to some extent, with a drive to expand my maritime skill set - between sail training there and my more recent training with the Coast Guard Auxiliary that drive has been more firmly seated.

For some background: I got my SALTS juniors on my first 5 day school trip (I was one of only 2 people on board that did so - because everyone else was basically just enjoying themselves rather then taking in the knowledge that was offered) I went on to get my intermediates over the next 5 day school trip and my first 10 day trip as volunteer crew. Seniors took a bit longer - but I had that too before long (at the time I believe I was the youngest person every to get it). More recently I have completed the Coast Guard RHIOT course in Bamfield and am certified as a Coxswain within the auxiliary. So what was next... well the Transport Canada 60 ton Limited Masters ticket seemed the right way to go, strangely enough talking to Martyn Clark one day he suggested I look into it as Transport Canada was going to do away with it. He also noted that should I get the 60 ton - he could further examine me for a "Sailing Ship endorsement" which would put me into the place to actually skipper ships like the SALTS vessels - Ok, now that was ´dream come true´ material if ever I heard it.

I have now, obviously from the title of this bit, embarked on the path to a 60 ton ticket - and it´s proving to be both fun and fascinating. There is a minimum sea time requirement of 60 days - I already had 130 days with SALTS under my belt so I just needed to get the Transport Canada forms signed off and that was done. This is strangely the difficult part for many, as they have frequently lost contact with master under which the sea time was earned. Thankfully, in my case, I just filled out the forms (using my SALTS log book for reference) and send in the paperwork to SALTS. The Next requirement was a Commercial Radio License, I already hold both a Maritime Voluntary and a HAM radio license - so this was again fairly straightforward but it did consist of learning a lot about the new GMDSS (Global Marine Distress and Safety System) including INMARSAT, NAVTEX, and EPIRB systems, of which I had limited knowledge (through the Coast Guard) The ROC-MC (Restricted Operators Certificate - Marine Commercial) radio course is required and is somewhat expensive so this turned into a bit of a hurdle (you can´t self study this one as it includes a sizeable practical portion) but with luck Maritime Education Associates was holding this and several other courses I required right in my home town of Sechelt. So Kellei (that´s another story - suffice to say - the love of my life) and I coughed up the $1000 each and signed up for both the ROC-MC and MED A1/A2.

The MED (Marine Emergency Duties) courses basically deal with how to handle all the things you hope you never need to handle - collision, flooding, fire, capsize, etc  there is a pool session where you get to inflate a life raft and learn how to flip it, play with SOLAS life jackets, and even fight fires with portable extinguishers. That bit they say on BC Ferries about being "Transport Canada Certified to deal with Emergency Situations" - is this course.

The MED A1/A2 courses are so informative that I would be so bold as to suggest every mariner should have them (professional ones are all required to) but it´s only $400 and could easily save you life.

Back to the 60 ton - the other two requirements I couldn´t challenge were the Transport Canada medical and a Marine Advanced First Aid certificate. This also was made straightforward by the Coast Guard - We do a first aid course every year or every 2 years at a minimum and I needed only to do a small $80 upgrade to the standard to get the "Marine Advanced" endorsement. The Medical I received before RHIOT school almost work as the Transport - but they got picky and said that only Coast Guard Employees could use that one - so I needed to fork out another $100 for a less intensive Transport Canada one (...can anyone say government money grab...)

So here I am - with pretty much all my ducks in a row and looking to start the examination process. I have the ROC-MC, MED A1/A2, the Medical, the Sea Time, the First Aid and what´s left are two written exams Chart-work - and Rules of the Road followed by an oral exam with the examiner.

Looking at the knowledge required (and this is the fun part) The two exams are basically EXACTLY what the SALTS Seniors exam requires - so it´s all a review (granted my Seniors exam was almost a decade ago - so it´s a LOT of review, but review none the less) The orals are a bit of a concern as I have no idea what to expect - but I have met several people in the community that have their 60 ton and have been happy to give me some tips.

Why am I writing this - well, mainly because the experience thus far has been a very positive one and I wanted to share it - but also because when I set out on this path, it was all a bit of a mystery - so for anyone hoping to do the same this may help in some small way.

Happy Training - and I´ll follow-up this with notes about the exams.

Congratulations on your progress. Getting a license is a great adventure, and gives a huge feeling of accomplishment. Even after forty years I remember the thrill of getting that first "ticket" with ´myname´ on it. Keep up the good work.
WAC