Test44567

Share Test44567 on Facebook Share Test44567 on Twitter Share Test44567 on Linkedin Email Test44567 link

The Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020 help to enhance maritime safety, protect the marine environment, and increase the efficiency of vessel operation in Canadian waters through marine navigation and marine radiocommunication requirements.

As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing marine safety and environmental protection, Transport Canada is conducting a public consultation to gather insight and feedback on the effectiveness and impact of these regulations and their proposed amendments. Your participation will help identify areas for improvement, and ensure that these regulations continue to meet the evolving needs of the maritime community. We are seeking public input on the following proposed amendments to the Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020 (NSR 2020).

Electronic Charts

We propose allowing the use of an Electronic Chart System (ECS) as an alternative to the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) and paper nautical charts on vessels that are less than 500 gross tonnage. This threshold was chosen to give flexibility to smaller vessels that are not required to carry mandatory ECDIS equipment. Through these changes, we aim to modernize marine navigation while ensuring that smaller vessels benefit from increased operational flexibilities and cost efficiencies without compromising navigational safety. The proposed changes also align with the ongoing Digital Transformation Initiative of the Canadian Hydrographic Service.

Under this proposal, an ECS would be required to meet specific technical standards which are currently under development. For instance, the system would need to have a backup, an operational display area of a certain size, and be compatible with S-57 ENCs.

SAR Co-Operation Plan

We propose to expand and clarify the requirements to carry onboard a Search and Rescue (SAR) Co-Operation Plan, which currently applies only to vessels on an international voyage, and all Canadian passenger vessels of 150 gross tonnage or more that are operating outside of sheltered waters in the Great Lakes and on the sea coasts of Canada. These proposed amendments would better align domestic regulations with the content of Chapter V, Regulation 7 (Search and Rescue Services) of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This update would ensure better preparedness and coordination in case of emergencies and enhance passenger safety on domestic routes. The purposes of the SAR Co-Operation Plan include:

  • Allowing early and efficient contact in the event of an emergency – between a passenger ship, its operator’s shore-based emergency response system, and SAR services;
  • Providing the SAR services with easily accessible and up-to-date information about the ship; and
  • Providing the ship and its operators with easily accessible information about SAR and other emergency services available in the ship’s area of operation.

The plan should be developed in cooperation with the ship, the company (ship-owner), and the search and rescue service provider. It should also include regular exercises to test its effectiveness.

Newly Registered Vessels

We propose that all foreign vessels newly registered in Canada fall under the ‘new constructions’ category, regardless of their original construction date. This proposal would ensure that all newly registered vessels meet current Canadian safety and environmental standards. For example, under the current regulations, foreign vessels could reflag as Canadian vessels and be eligible for grandfathering clauses related voyage data recorders (VDR), or ECDIS.

Automatic Identification System (AIS)

We proposeeasing the carriage requirement of Class A AIS by enabling Class B AIS for vessels that carry more than 50 passengers and that operate in lakes and rivers (e.g. internal waters). The requirement for the AIS to have a display would still apply. The proposed amendments would allow stakeholders to equip vessels according to their individual operating conditions, eliminating the need for an MTRB decision.

Lost Containers

We propose introducing a regulatory requirement on the reporting of lost containers to the nearest Canadian Coast Guard Station, reflecting the latest SOLAS amendments coming into effect January 1, 2026. This new requirement, which has already been introduced through Notice 10B of the Notices to Mariners (NOTMAR), would require ship operators to report the loss of containers promptly, providing details about the incident to the appropriate authorities. This information will include the number, identification, and contents of the lost containers, as well as the loss's circumstances.

Administrative Monetary Penalties

We propose amending the Administrative Monetary Penalties and Notices (CSA 2001) Regulations (AMPNR) to include violations under the Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020. This would introduce a range of penalties from $260 to $250,000 for the NSR 2020.

In 2018, the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001) was amended to increase the maximum amount of an administrative monetary penalty (AMP) for designated violations from a maximum of $25,000 to $250,000 per violation to strengthen enforcement under the Act. Although the Administrative Monetary Penalties and Notices (CSA 2001) Regulations were later amended to specify the regulatory provisions and penalty ranges for various violations, updates for the NSR 2020 remain incomplete.

Penalty ranges rather than fixed amounts would be used to ensure that the penalty is appropriate to the circumstances of each case and that full consideration can be given to any aggravating or mitigating factors that may apply.

Expansion of VDR Carriage and Inclusion of Electronic Inclinometer

We propose improving safety and data collection for incident investigations by expanding the carriage requirements of Voyage Data Recorders (VDR) to new Canadian vessels meeting SOLAS size thresholds, regardless of voyage limits. This new provision would also apply to vessels engaged on the Great Lakes. Additionally, this would include electronic inclinometers for domestic vessels, such as bulk carriers of 3000 gross tonnage or more, which are subject to degraded stability due to cargo movement during transit and adverse weather and sea conditions.

Agreement Between Canada and the United States of America for Promotion of Safety on the Great Lakes by Means of Radio, 1973

This agreement was terminated in November 2023. To update the Navigation Safety Regulations, we propose removing references to this agreement. More information on this agreement, its termination, and the related policy can be found in SSB 21/2023.

We want to hear from you!

  1. Choose “Register” at the top of the page, and join the discussion under the “Have Your Say” tab.
  2. You can also submit your comments in a Word or PDF document through the “Submissions” tab, and you can upload more than one document.

We appreciate any information or comments you submit. Your feedback on these proposed changes is critical to ensuring the continued relevance and effectiveness of the Navigation Safety Regulations. Once the comment period closes, we will publish a “What we heard report” online.

The Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020 help to enhance maritime safety, protect the marine environment, and increase the efficiency of vessel operation in Canadian waters through marine navigation and marine radiocommunication requirements.

As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing marine safety and environmental protection, Transport Canada is conducting a public consultation to gather insight and feedback on the effectiveness and impact of these regulations and their proposed amendments. Your participation will help identify areas for improvement, and ensure that these regulations continue to meet the evolving needs of the maritime community. We are seeking public input on the following proposed amendments to the Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020 (NSR 2020).

Electronic Charts

We propose allowing the use of an Electronic Chart System (ECS) as an alternative to the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) and paper nautical charts on vessels that are less than 500 gross tonnage. This threshold was chosen to give flexibility to smaller vessels that are not required to carry mandatory ECDIS equipment. Through these changes, we aim to modernize marine navigation while ensuring that smaller vessels benefit from increased operational flexibilities and cost efficiencies without compromising navigational safety. The proposed changes also align with the ongoing Digital Transformation Initiative of the Canadian Hydrographic Service.

Under this proposal, an ECS would be required to meet specific technical standards which are currently under development. For instance, the system would need to have a backup, an operational display area of a certain size, and be compatible with S-57 ENCs.

SAR Co-Operation Plan

We propose to expand and clarify the requirements to carry onboard a Search and Rescue (SAR) Co-Operation Plan, which currently applies only to vessels on an international voyage, and all Canadian passenger vessels of 150 gross tonnage or more that are operating outside of sheltered waters in the Great Lakes and on the sea coasts of Canada. These proposed amendments would better align domestic regulations with the content of Chapter V, Regulation 7 (Search and Rescue Services) of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This update would ensure better preparedness and coordination in case of emergencies and enhance passenger safety on domestic routes. The purposes of the SAR Co-Operation Plan include:

  • Allowing early and efficient contact in the event of an emergency – between a passenger ship, its operator’s shore-based emergency response system, and SAR services;
  • Providing the SAR services with easily accessible and up-to-date information about the ship; and
  • Providing the ship and its operators with easily accessible information about SAR and other emergency services available in the ship’s area of operation.

The plan should be developed in cooperation with the ship, the company (ship-owner), and the search and rescue service provider. It should also include regular exercises to test its effectiveness.

Newly Registered Vessels

We propose that all foreign vessels newly registered in Canada fall under the ‘new constructions’ category, regardless of their original construction date. This proposal would ensure that all newly registered vessels meet current Canadian safety and environmental standards. For example, under the current regulations, foreign vessels could reflag as Canadian vessels and be eligible for grandfathering clauses related voyage data recorders (VDR), or ECDIS.

Automatic Identification System (AIS)

We proposeeasing the carriage requirement of Class A AIS by enabling Class B AIS for vessels that carry more than 50 passengers and that operate in lakes and rivers (e.g. internal waters). The requirement for the AIS to have a display would still apply. The proposed amendments would allow stakeholders to equip vessels according to their individual operating conditions, eliminating the need for an MTRB decision.

Lost Containers

We propose introducing a regulatory requirement on the reporting of lost containers to the nearest Canadian Coast Guard Station, reflecting the latest SOLAS amendments coming into effect January 1, 2026. This new requirement, which has already been introduced through Notice 10B of the Notices to Mariners (NOTMAR), would require ship operators to report the loss of containers promptly, providing details about the incident to the appropriate authorities. This information will include the number, identification, and contents of the lost containers, as well as the loss's circumstances.

Administrative Monetary Penalties

We propose amending the Administrative Monetary Penalties and Notices (CSA 2001) Regulations (AMPNR) to include violations under the Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020. This would introduce a range of penalties from $260 to $250,000 for the NSR 2020.

In 2018, the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001) was amended to increase the maximum amount of an administrative monetary penalty (AMP) for designated violations from a maximum of $25,000 to $250,000 per violation to strengthen enforcement under the Act. Although the Administrative Monetary Penalties and Notices (CSA 2001) Regulations were later amended to specify the regulatory provisions and penalty ranges for various violations, updates for the NSR 2020 remain incomplete.

Penalty ranges rather than fixed amounts would be used to ensure that the penalty is appropriate to the circumstances of each case and that full consideration can be given to any aggravating or mitigating factors that may apply.

Expansion of VDR Carriage and Inclusion of Electronic Inclinometer

We propose improving safety and data collection for incident investigations by expanding the carriage requirements of Voyage Data Recorders (VDR) to new Canadian vessels meeting SOLAS size thresholds, regardless of voyage limits. This new provision would also apply to vessels engaged on the Great Lakes. Additionally, this would include electronic inclinometers for domestic vessels, such as bulk carriers of 3000 gross tonnage or more, which are subject to degraded stability due to cargo movement during transit and adverse weather and sea conditions.

Agreement Between Canada and the United States of America for Promotion of Safety on the Great Lakes by Means of Radio, 1973

This agreement was terminated in November 2023. To update the Navigation Safety Regulations, we propose removing references to this agreement. More information on this agreement, its termination, and the related policy can be found in SSB 21/2023.

We want to hear from you!

  1. Choose “Register” at the top of the page, and join the discussion under the “Have Your Say” tab.
  2. You can also submit your comments in a Word or PDF document through the “Submissions” tab, and you can upload more than one document.

We appreciate any information or comments you submit. Your feedback on these proposed changes is critical to ensuring the continued relevance and effectiveness of the Navigation Safety Regulations. Once the comment period closes, we will publish a “What we heard report” online.

Page published: 17 Dec 2024, 01:04 PM