The Bridge Watch Rating course provides training to those who would like to have a sea-going career but have little or no previous marine experience. This 11-week (300 hrs) entry level course introduces shipboard terminology, safety procedures, standards for watchkeeping, and provides the practical skills and knowledge you will need to become a proficient deckhand.

This training course is designed to meet the Transport Canada standards as per TP10936. As such, Transport Canada requires that students maintain an attendance standard of 90% during the course and a pass mark of 70% for the final course mark.

The Bridge Watch Rating Certificate of Competency is issued by Transport Canada.  After successfully completing the BWR course at Holland College, you will require an additional 60 days of sea service onboard a vessel.  You must submit all of your training certificates, Statement of Sea Service (documenting two months of sea service) and Steering Testimonial (showing 10 hours of experience steering a vessel) to Transport Canada, and then you will receive an Examiner's Certificate which will allow you to work as BWR in Canadian waters. After earning a total of six months of sea service onboard a vessel, you can obtain your Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and at that point, you can get an unrestricted Bridge Watch Rating Certificate of Competency which will allow you to work as BWR in international waters. 

The Bridge Watch Rating Certificate of Competency allows you to work as part of a team during shipboard activities including the following:

• Steering the vessel
• Lookout duties
• Mooring and anchoring operations
• Handling ropes and chains
• Maintenance of the ship and deck equipment
• Cargo operations
• Small boat operations
• Emergency response

In addition to the BWR Training Certificate, you will also receive the Radio Operators Certificate - Marine Commercial (ROC-MC) and Vessel Personnel with Security Responsibilities (VPWSR) as part of your training.

Prerequisites:

• 18 years of age
• Valid Transport Canada Marine Medical *
• STCW Basic Safety, STCW Survival Craft, Marine Basic First Aid (These courses are typically offered immediately before the BWR course)

*To work as a watchkeeper on the Bridge, you must be medically fit to work at sea and you must not be colour blind.  Therefore, it is extremely important for students to obtain their Marine Medicals as soon as possible.  It is beneficial for the student to know their results before confirming their seat for the course.

Due to the international nature of sea-going careers, it is also advisable to have a valid passport, but it is not required as part of this course.