Working with the Canadian Coast Guard

• When I work on a ship can I go home each night?
• Can I bring my spouse/partner with me on a vessel?
• What happens if I get sick aboard a ship?
• Do I need to pay for room or board when I'm on board a CCG ship?
• When working aboard a CCG vessel, how much time do I spend away from home?
• Can I be a diver (search and rescue) with the CCG?
• Can I choose the region I want to work in?
• Can I work in more than one region or on more than one vessel during a year?
• Do CCG Officers/Ships’ Crew carry firearms?
• Are new employees (initial appointees) entitled to relocation provisions?

• When I work on a ship can I go home each night?
  
  This varies according to the type and location of the ship. Employees can leave the ship only if the station-based vessel is at its homeport however you must be available for call-back in case of emergencies, such as responding to Search and Rescue incidents. In any other circumstance, you will be based on the ship throughout your shift, although many ships dock at shore for various reasons, giving employees the chance to go ashore.
  
  
• Can I bring my spouse/partner with me on a vessel?
  
  Only employees and dignitaries can sail with the ship. Significant others can only visit vessels when it is docked or when there is an open house.
  
  
• What happens if I get sick aboard a ship?
  
  If you are talking about seasickness, even the most experienced mariner suffers from time to time. In those cases, mild medication and special meals are available to address discomfort. In chronic cases, alternate employment may be the solution.
  If illness arises due to other circumstances, there are protocols in place to ensure you receive medical attention and advice. The protocols take into account where the ship is located and the severity of the illness.
  
  
• Do I need to pay for room or board when I'm on board a CCG ship?
  
  Room and board is provided free of charge, as well as protective clothing and uniforms.
  
  
• When working aboard a CCG vessel, how much time do I spend away from home?   
  
  It depends on the class of ship, but typically anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks at time. However, for every day worked on board, one usually earns one day of paid days off. So if you spend 6 weeks away afloat, you'll enjoy 6 weeks of time off.
  
  
• Can I be a diver (search and rescue) with the CCG?
  
  You will have to take our program in the Officer Training Program in Navigation. It is a training program of 4 years at the college, which include two sea phases on board of our ships. You can read about it on our website: www.cgc.gc.ca. Once you graduate, you will have a very good knowledge of the Search and Rescue section of our mandate. And with more experience, you will have the opportunity to be trained in this specific sector to become a specialist, and it's where your skills will be applied.
  
  
• Can I choose the region I want to work in? 
  
  At your graduation, you will be posted to a region. Assignments to a region are based on regional needs at the time, as well as your ranking compared to your graduate colleagues.
  
  
• Can I work in more than one region or on more than one vessel during a year? 
  
  You may work on more than one vessel during a year depending on the activities in the region, but to work in another region you must apply and be selected for a position in order to be transferred.
  
  
• Do CCG Officers/Ships’ Crew carry firearms?
  
  The Canadian Coast Guard does not issue personal firearms. Seagoing personnel have shotguns and rifles only for protection against wildlife in remote locations.
• Are new employees (initial appointees) entitled to relocation provisions?
  
  All newly appointed employees to the public service must be relocated under the Initial Appointees Relocation Program when relocation applies. This includes relocations from abroad on initial appointment.
  
  The Initial Appointees Relocation Program provides newly appointed employees states:
  
  
  • the sum of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) in eligible relocation expenses; and,
  • a contract with a relocation services supplier who will provide the newly appointed employees with professional assistance such as counselling on the relocation benefits available, guidance on accommodation at the new location and expense management, along with several other relocation services.
  • Employment search;
  • Employment assistance;
  • Travel to/from interviews;
  • Preparation of CV; and,
  • Photocopy and transmittal costs for transcripts of academic records.
  
  
  Assistance is only extended if the appointee is prepared to sign a two-year service agreement specifying that if the appointee terminates employment and thereby fails to complete a continuous two-year period with the federal government, the employee shall repay directly to the engaging department, a portion of the relocation assistance provided, proportional to the period by which the employee's continuous service falls short of two years.
  
  For specified term appointments of less than two years, the reimbursement will be proportional to the period by which the employee's service falls short of the original duration of the term. Please note that provisions for spouses/common-law partners are available. The following services may be reimbursed as per Section 3.3 of the NJC Relocation Directive:
  
  
  
  Expenses are subject to CRA policy and guidelines; receipts are required. A taxable benefit could result from these reimbursements. 
  
  For more information please visit this link:
  
  http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/tbm_113/iairp-prinefp-eng.asp