Apply to the Inshore Rescue Boat student program: Step 1. Who can apply

Who can apply

To apply to the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) service, you must be:

• a full-time CEGEP, college, or university student in an accredited institution who is returning to full-time post-secondary studies in your next academic term and able to meet the minimum age requirement in the province/territory
• fluent in French to work in the Quebec region and fluent in English to work in all other regions
• during the hiring process^{Footnote 1}, able to successfully:
  • obtain a government-issued reliability security clearance
  • pass a Health Canada medical clearance (archived) which includes a:
    • hearing test
    • physical examination
    • colour-vision examination

Security clearance and physical exams are only completed after your selection and interview process.

Students applying for an IRB position must hold a valid:

• Canadian driver's license
• Standard first-aid certification with CPR-C /AED certification
• Pleasure Craft Operator Card
• Restricted Radio Operator Certificate: Maritime

All applicants should have:

• general knowledge of:
  • marine safety
  • the work performed by the IRB
• the ability to work in a team
• personal suitability, including:
  • initiative
  • reliability
  • judgement

Asset qualifications include any additional training in:

• medical/first aid
• small vessel operations/basic navigation

Conditions of employment

Once selected for training, candidates will have to complete a 16-day training course that includes classroom study, on-water exercises and written examinations. Employment will only be offered by the IRB coordinator if all portions of training are completed successfully.

All IRB crew members must:

• be willing to:
  • work extra hours, sometimes with little notice
  • serve as a replacement in neighbouring territories
  • be posted to any IRB station in any region as assigned by the employer
• wear the provided:
  • CCG uniform to CCG uniform standards
  • required personal protective equipment when in the operational field
• successfully complete the 16-day training course that certifies candidates in:
  • Marine Emergency Duties (MED)
  • Marine Advanced First Aid (MAFA)
  • Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) training
• adhere to the IRB Operational Standing Orders and Standard Operating Procedures