From the Marine Personnel Regulations, section 151: (the table doesn't copy-and-paste very well)
Small Vessel Machinery Operator
151. (1) An applicant for a Small Vessel Machinery Operator certificate shall meet the requirements set out in column 1 of the table to this subsection and the corresponding specifications set out in column 2.
TABLE
Column 1 Column 2
Item Requirements Specifications
1. Experience Acquire at least two months of qualifying service as follows:
(a) at least 1 month of sea service as an engineer or a rating performing engine-room duties on one or more motor vessels; and
(b) any remaining time any combination of the types of service set out in item 2 of the table to subsection 147(1).
2. Certificates to be provided to the examiner (a) MED with respect to small passenger vessel safety; and
(b) marine basic first aid.
3. Pass examinations (a) Written examination on general engineering knowledge of small vessels, after meeting the requirements of items 1 and 2; and
(b) after passing the examination referred to in paragraph (a),
(i) oral examination on general engineering knowledge of small vessels if applying for an unrestricted certificate, and
(ii) practical examination on board the vessel in respect of which the certificate is sought if applying for the restricted certificate referred to in subsection (2).
(2) Despite item 1 of the table to subsection (1), an applicant for a Small Vessel Machinery Operator certificate restricted for use on board a specified passenger-carrying vessel that has a propulsive power of less than 750 kW and is engaged on a limited near coastal voyage, Class 2 or a sheltered waters voyage may, instead of meeting the requirements of that item,
(a) successfully complete training related to the propulsion system and safety systems fitted on the vessel; or
(b) acquire at least 10 days of sea service performing engine-room duties on the vessel or a vessel of the same class.
Whether the Certificate is restricted or not, the candidate must pass the 60 multiple choice question Examination on Wednesday morning before taking the Oral. (The Exam Schedule is in TP 2293, Chater 4, section 4.4, Table VIII, same Exam at the same time from St Johns to Victoria, give or take the time difference) The Oral is either in the TC office for unrestricted, or aboard the vessel to which the SVMO-R applies. Note that in table item 3(b)(i) the last "and" should be "or", the candidate only takes one Oral at a time.
If, after acquiring 60 day's sea service, the candidate with SVMO-R wishes an unrestricted SVMO, only the Oral would be required, he/she has already passed the written and it should be logged in the TC database.
You are aware of the appeal process, I presume? From TP 2293, chapter 2, section 2.13 and 2.14:
2.13 Request for review
Within five days of receiving the results of an examination, applicants may request a review by the examiner who marked it and a meeting with the examiner. For this purpose the applicant fills out the Request for Review form provided with the examination paper.
2.14 Appeals
If, after meeting with the examiner, the applicant is still not satisfied, a formal written appeal may be submitted to the Director, Marine Personnel Standards and Pilotage, Ottawa. The examination will then be marked independently by two reviewing examiners at Headquarters, neither of whom is the original examiner. An average of the two marks will be taken, and the Director will inform the applicant in writing of the result.
The process is very fair and unbiased. Although it says two Examiners will mark the paper, I can tell you it's usually three, who do not discuss it until all three have marked it. All three normally come out within a couple of percentage points. Ottawa will look at it in light of the Regulation and assess it by that criterion.
I refer you to TP 2293, chapter 33, which specifies required knowledge for SVMO. Knowledge of internal combustion engines is listed, but there is no mention of boilers or steam plant. The validity of the SVMO is stated in this Chapter and says:
The holder of a certificate issued under subsection 151(1) may act as chief engineer or watchkeeping engineer on a motor vessel, with the restrictions described in Table 1. (tables don't copy and paste very well)
Table I
Voyage Sheltered waters and limited Near Coastal class 2 Sheltered waters and limited Near Coastal class 2, less than 6 hours duration No more than five nautical miles from a sheltered dock
Type of Vessel
Passenger Less than 750 kW Less than 1500 kW
See note 1 N/A
Cargo N/A Less than 2000 kW See note 2 N/A
Tug N/A Less than 3000 kW See note 3 Tug less than 500 GRT See note 4
Note 1. Subject to conditions set out in the Marine Personnel Regulations, subsection 219 (2).
Note 2. Subject to conditions set out in the Marine Personnel Regulations, subsection 220 (2).
Note 3. Subject to conditions set out in the Marine Personnel Regulations, subsection 221 (2).
Note 4. Subject to conditions set out in the Marine Personnel Regulations, subsection 221 (3).
The biggest engine listed there is 3000 Kw, on a harbour tug of less than 500 GRT. The holder of an SVMO would never see a large diesel with an air start system, so it's not required knowledge.
If you feel that the Examiner is unfairly expanding the scope of this chapter, may I suggest you follow the steps in chapter 2, section 2.14 Don't have a general bitchfest, be very specific about who, where, when and what.
The address is in TP 2293, chapter 1, section 1.8
Transport Canada
Marine Safety
Marine Personnel Standards and Pilotage
8th Floor, Tower C
Place de Ville
330 Sparks Street, (TP 2293 says Kent St, but they moved to this address)
Ottawa, Ontario
Tel.: 613-991-3120
Fax: 613-990-1538
TP 2293 is available on line here:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/tp ... u-2254.htm
and Marine Personnel Regulations are here:
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regu ... .html#h-46