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Consultation has concluded
Background: Vessel engine noise emissions
The Small Vessel Regulations currently require that all power-driven vessels be equipped with a muffler. This requirement helps make sure that the engine noise from power-driven vessels is limited to avoid disturbing the environment and others using the waterway.
While a muffler is required, the regulationsdon’t include any performance standards for mufflers or engine noise emission limits.
These gaps have led to concerns that vessel engine noise sometimes exceeds acceptable levels. Police have also noted that it’s hard to enforce the current requirements as they lack the technical expertise needed to identify whether a muffler is properly equipped or not.
Transport Canada is looking at several ways to address these concerns.
Proposed options
Option 1: Make no changes
This option would not add any new regulatory requirements.
Considerations:
No additional cost to industry or police
Vessels could continue to be built and operate at excessive noise levels
Police would continue to face challenges identifying whether vessels comply with the Small Vessel Regulations
No incentive for industry to build quieter vessels
Option 2: Clarify and modernize existing requirements
This option would update the Small Vessel Regulations to clarify existing requirements, for example, more descriptive technical specifications for mufflers.
Considerations:
Clarifying current requirements could help the police identify whether a vessel complies with the Small Vessel Regulations (For example, is a vessel equipped with a muffler?)
No additional cost to industry or police
Proposed changes would not address vessels that comply with the regulationsbut still produce excessive noise
Proposed changes don’t consider future technologies that could address engine noise
Option 3: Introduce performance standards for manufacturers to follow
This option would update the Small Vessel Regulations to require companies that make and import pleasure craft to test their vessels to make sure their engine noise does not exceed set noise-emission levels.
Considerations:
Could be a cost-neutral solution for industry who already do similar testing for vessels in other markets
Would make sure that new vessels don’t exceed engine noise-emission levels
Would not apply to existing vessels whose engine produces excessive noise
Would be hard for police to check whether vessels have been properly tested
Option 4: Introduce performance standards for vessel operators to follow
This option would add engine noise-emission limits to the Small Vessel Regulations. It would also ban vessels from being used in a way that exceeds noise-emission limits when tested according to set standards.
Considerations:
Police could more easily identify whether a vessel complies with the regulations
No additional cost or requirements to industry
Police would need to buy equipment to measure noise levels and train officers on how to use it
Vessel operators who comply with the current regulations may need to modify their vessels to meet new requirements
Option 5: Introduce performance standards for manufacturers and vessel operators to follow
This option would combine Options 3 and 4. It would update the Small Vessel Regulations so both manufacturers and operators must make sure their vessels don’t exceed noise-emission levels.
Considerations:
Proposed changes would make sure that new and existing vessels don’t exceed noise-emission levels
Police could more easily identify whether a vessel complies with the regulations
Police would need to buy equipment to measure noise levels and train officers on how to use it
Vessel operators who comply with the current regulations may need to modify their vessels to meet new requirements
We want to hear from you
Choose “Register” at the top of the page, and join the discussion under the “Have Your Say” tab
You can also submit your comments in a Word or PDF document through the “Submissions” tab (one or more documents can be uploaded)
Background: Vessel engine noise emissions
The Small Vessel Regulations currently require that all power-driven vessels be equipped with a muffler. This requirement helps make sure that the engine noise from power-driven vessels is limited to avoid disturbing the environment and others using the waterway.
While a muffler is required, the regulationsdon’t include any performance standards for mufflers or engine noise emission limits.
These gaps have led to concerns that vessel engine noise sometimes exceeds acceptable levels. Police have also noted that it’s hard to enforce the current requirements as they lack the technical expertise needed to identify whether a muffler is properly equipped or not.
Transport Canada is looking at several ways to address these concerns.
Proposed options
Option 1: Make no changes
This option would not add any new regulatory requirements.
Considerations:
No additional cost to industry or police
Vessels could continue to be built and operate at excessive noise levels
Police would continue to face challenges identifying whether vessels comply with the Small Vessel Regulations
No incentive for industry to build quieter vessels
Option 2: Clarify and modernize existing requirements
This option would update the Small Vessel Regulations to clarify existing requirements, for example, more descriptive technical specifications for mufflers.
Considerations:
Clarifying current requirements could help the police identify whether a vessel complies with the Small Vessel Regulations (For example, is a vessel equipped with a muffler?)
No additional cost to industry or police
Proposed changes would not address vessels that comply with the regulationsbut still produce excessive noise
Proposed changes don’t consider future technologies that could address engine noise
Option 3: Introduce performance standards for manufacturers to follow
This option would update the Small Vessel Regulations to require companies that make and import pleasure craft to test their vessels to make sure their engine noise does not exceed set noise-emission levels.
Considerations:
Could be a cost-neutral solution for industry who already do similar testing for vessels in other markets
Would make sure that new vessels don’t exceed engine noise-emission levels
Would not apply to existing vessels whose engine produces excessive noise
Would be hard for police to check whether vessels have been properly tested
Option 4: Introduce performance standards for vessel operators to follow
This option would add engine noise-emission limits to the Small Vessel Regulations. It would also ban vessels from being used in a way that exceeds noise-emission limits when tested according to set standards.
Considerations:
Police could more easily identify whether a vessel complies with the regulations
No additional cost or requirements to industry
Police would need to buy equipment to measure noise levels and train officers on how to use it
Vessel operators who comply with the current regulations may need to modify their vessels to meet new requirements
Option 5: Introduce performance standards for manufacturers and vessel operators to follow
This option would combine Options 3 and 4. It would update the Small Vessel Regulations so both manufacturers and operators must make sure their vessels don’t exceed noise-emission levels.
Considerations:
Proposed changes would make sure that new and existing vessels don’t exceed noise-emission levels
Police could more easily identify whether a vessel complies with the regulations
Police would need to buy equipment to measure noise levels and train officers on how to use it
Vessel operators who comply with the current regulations may need to modify their vessels to meet new requirements
We want to hear from you
Choose “Register” at the top of the page, and join the discussion under the “Have Your Say” tab
You can also submit your comments in a Word or PDF document through the “Submissions” tab (one or more documents can be uploaded)
Share What do you think about not making any changes, and not further addressing small vessel noise emissions? on FacebookShare What do you think about not making any changes, and not further addressing small vessel noise emissions? on TwitterShare What do you think about not making any changes, and not further addressing small vessel noise emissions? on LinkedinEmail What do you think about not making any changes, and not further addressing small vessel noise emissions? link
Share What do you think about updating and changing the Small Vessel Regulations’ definition of a “muffler”? on FacebookShare What do you think about updating and changing the Small Vessel Regulations’ definition of a “muffler”? on TwitterShare What do you think about updating and changing the Small Vessel Regulations’ definition of a “muffler”? on LinkedinEmail What do you think about updating and changing the Small Vessel Regulations’ definition of a “muffler”? link
Share What do you think about introducing performance standards for manufacturers to follow? These standards would make sure new vessels are tested to confirm that they don’t exceed certain decibel limits. on FacebookShare What do you think about introducing performance standards for manufacturers to follow? These standards would make sure new vessels are tested to confirm that they don’t exceed certain decibel limits. on TwitterShare What do you think about introducing performance standards for manufacturers to follow? These standards would make sure new vessels are tested to confirm that they don’t exceed certain decibel limits. on LinkedinEmail What do you think about introducing performance standards for manufacturers to follow? These standards would make sure new vessels are tested to confirm that they don’t exceed certain decibel limits. link
Share What do you think about introducing performance standards for vessel operators to follow? These standards would make sure vessels already in operation don’t exceed certain decibel limits. on FacebookShare What do you think about introducing performance standards for vessel operators to follow? These standards would make sure vessels already in operation don’t exceed certain decibel limits. on TwitterShare What do you think about introducing performance standards for vessel operators to follow? These standards would make sure vessels already in operation don’t exceed certain decibel limits. on LinkedinEmail What do you think about introducing performance standards for vessel operators to follow? These standards would make sure vessels already in operation don’t exceed certain decibel limits. link
Share What do you think about introducing performance standards for manufacturers and vessel operators to follow? These standards would make sure vessels don’t exceed certain decibel limits. on FacebookShare What do you think about introducing performance standards for manufacturers and vessel operators to follow? These standards would make sure vessels don’t exceed certain decibel limits. on TwitterShare What do you think about introducing performance standards for manufacturers and vessel operators to follow? These standards would make sure vessels don’t exceed certain decibel limits. on LinkedinEmail What do you think about introducing performance standards for manufacturers and vessel operators to follow? These standards would make sure vessels don’t exceed certain decibel limits. link
Share Are there any other steps you think should be taken to address vessel engine noise emissions? on FacebookShare Are there any other steps you think should be taken to address vessel engine noise emissions? on TwitterShare Are there any other steps you think should be taken to address vessel engine noise emissions? on LinkedinEmail Are there any other steps you think should be taken to address vessel engine noise emissions? link
