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Procedures for Assistance to Disabled Vessels

May 5, 2004 

The mandate of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is one of maritime safety and environmental protection. The CCG must ensure that its resources – vessels and personnel – are available to fulfill this mandate. In other words, using CCG vessels to respond to non-distress missions may impact on the CCG’s ability to respond to more serious cases. 

It is recognized that the timely provision of towing or other technical assistance to disabled vessels in distress or non-distress incidents can be an effective way of meeting the national SAR objective of preventing loss of life and injury. 

This statement is not, however, intended to convey to the public that the Federal Government or its agents are prepared to assist disabled vessels merely on request.  The Federal Government or its agents will not compete with commercial or private interests to provide assistance. Some incidents involving the use of the SAR system are clearly preventable or unreasonable.  The response to these incidents occupies resources that may be needed for more serious incidents and may place responders in unnecessary danger.  

The essential elements of the procedures are as such:  

a.       It is the responsibility of the mariner to make their own arrangements for towing and salvage when they require such services.

b.      The CCG does not tow vessels on request and does not compete with commercial towing companies.

c.       However, for disabled vessels in distress, the CCG will provide towing assistance if it is deemed by the Commanding Officer of the CCG Vessel to be the best way of saving lives. In other situations, the CCG will only tow after all efforts to arrange private or commercial assistance have failed. For safety reasons, the CCG will monitor the situation until it is resolved.

d.      If a disabled vessel requesting assistance in a non-distress situation refuses commercial or private assistance when available, then the provision of a tow by the CCG will be denied.

e.       The procedures have also clarified that when a CCG vessel is tasked to assist a disabled vessel in a non-emergency situation, that this vessel will normally complete any other critical mission in which it is currently engaged, such as a fisheries law enforcement operation, before proceeding to the disabled vessel assistance, meaning that mariners may have to wait many hours if there is no immediate danger. 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

1. Why did the Canadian Coast Guard release new procedures for towing?

In the past, there has been some confusion about the role of the Coast Guard in providing such assistance. The Canadian Coast Guard has updated the procedures for assisting disabled vessels in order to provide a clearer, more consistent service across the country. These procedures clearly state why, when and who will assist and not assist disabled vessels.

2. How do the procedures differ from what was in place before?

These updated procedures largely renew the commitment of the Coast Guard to provide assistance to disabled vessels under certain conditions. They are also being renewed and updated at this time in order to clearly and consistently communicate these national procedures to Coast Guard staff and mariners. 

The essential elements of the procedures are as such:  

1. The mandate of the CCG is one of maritime safety and environmental protection. The CCG must ensure that its resources – vessels and personnel – are available to fulfill this mandate.
2. It is the responsibility of the mariner to make their own arrangements for towing and salvage when they require such services.
3. The CCG does not tow vessels on request and does not compete with commercial towing companies.
4. However, for disabled vessels in distress, the CCG will provide towing assistance if it is deemed by the Commanding Officer of the CCG Vessel to be the best way of saving lives. In other situations, the CCG will only tow after all efforts to arrange private or commercial assistance have failed. For safety reasons, the CCG will monitor the situation until it is resolved.
5. If a disabled vessel requesting assistance in a non-distress situation refuses commercial or private assistance when available, then the provision of a tow by the CCG will be denied.

In addition, the procedures have also clarified that when a CCG vessel is tasked to assist a disabled vessel in a non-emergency situation, that this vessel will normally complete any other critical mission in which it is currently engaged, such as a fisheries law enforcement operation, before proceeding to the disabled vessel assistance. 

3. Should the Coast Guard not have towing as one of its services as many Canadians expect?

The mandate of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is one of maritime safety and environmental protection. The CCG must ensure at all times that its resources – vessels and personnel - are available to fulfill this mandate. In other words, using CCG vessels to respond to non-distress missions may impact on the CCG’s ability to respond to more serious cases. 

It is important mariners be aware that the Canadian Coast Guard does not tow vessels on request and does not compete with private commercial towing companies. 

However, for disabled vessels in distress, the CCG will provide towing assistance if it is deemed by the Commanding Officer of the CCG Vessel to be the best way of saving lives. In other situations, the CCG will only tow after all efforts to arrange private or commercial assistance have failed. For safety reasons, the CCG will monitor the situation until it is resolved. 

If a disabled vessel requesting assistance in a non-distress situation refuses commercial or private assistance when available, then the provision of a tow by the CCG will be denied. 

The Coast Guard advises all mariners to ensure their vessels are always in optimum condition in order to reduce the risk of breakdowns. 

4. Who determines if there is a distress or potential distress situation?

A Joint Rescue Coordination Centre or Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre should be notified by the mariner when a vessel breaks down at sea. This is done by contacting the nearest CCG Marine Communication and Traffic Services Centre. The Coast Guard will keep in contact with the mariner to determine if persons are in distress. The ultimate determination remains with the master or operator of the disabled vessel. 

5. How long will a mariner have to wait before the CCG will respond?

The Coast Guard will send out a Maritime Assistance Request Broadcast asking for assistance for the vessel. If there is no response to the broadcast, the Coast Guard will task a vessel to respond. However, if a CCG vessel is tasked to assist a disabled vessel in a non-emergency situation, this vessel will normally complete any other critical mission in which it is currently engaged, such as a fisheries law enforcement operation, before proceeding to the disabled vessel assistance. Mariners may have to wait many hours if there is no immediate danger.

6. Will the Coast Guard assist mariners to find commercial towing companies?

Yes, the Coast Guard will issue a Maritime Assistance Request Broadcasts and wait for assisting agencies to respond. The Coast Guard will also continue to monitor the situation to determine if it has become a distress situation in which case the CCG will respond.

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