Two Metro Transit ferry officers have fined for having out-of-date certifications. (CBC)Transport Canada has fined two people who work on the Halifax Harbour ferries for having out-of-date certifications, CBC News has learned.

Metro Transit, which owns and operates the ferries that run between Halifax and Dartmouth, had been at the centre of an investigation on whether its ferry officers had valid competency and training certificates.

"The investigation determined that one officer had not held a valid nautical certificate of competency since 1994, or a valid seafarer's medical certificate since 2001," said Mélanie Quesnel, a spokeswoman for Transport Canada.

"The other officer had not held a valid certificate of competency since 2007, or a valid seafarer's medical certificate since 2004," Quesnel said in an email.

Metro Transit has been fined $6,000 and each of the two officers was fined $1,250. The officers cannot be identified because of privacy concerns, said Quesnel.

A Transport Canada spokesman told CBC News earlier this week that the federal body became aware in September that Metro Transit was having issues with certification.

Before a captain, first mate or engineer can work on a ferry they are supposed to have valid competency and training certificates — the mariner's equivalent of a driver's licence.

Transport Canada inspects the Metro Transit ferries and the credentials of their crews every year.

"Transport Canada inspects the vessels annually and the certificates of the crew on board at the time of inspection," Quesnel said. "If the people in question were not aboard the vessel at the time of the annual inspection, their certificates would not be reviewed until the individuals applied for renewal."

Quesnel said Metro Transit is ultimately responsible for ensuring its ferries are crewed by qualified personnel.

It is unclear whether the workers have to be recertified before they can return to their jobs.

Metro Transit spokeswoman Lori Patterson said she couldn't divulge any details of the investigation because it involves personnel matters.

"I can confirm that HRM has been advised that there is an investigation ongoing with Transport Canada pertaining to the ferry and we are co-operating fully," she said.

"The safety of our passengers is always of our utmost concern and it is not impacted as a result of the investigation."

The Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents the 30 employees on the ferries — including captains, first mates and engineers — also refused to comment.