FERRY SAFETY

Total passenger ferry traffic in Canada was estimated at over 40 million passengers and 17 million vehicles in 2001. This represents approximately 15 per cent of total worldwide ferry traffic.

Transport Canada has a comprehensive framework in place to oversee and enhance the safety of ferries and their passengers. This includes developing and enforcing regulations and standards, as well as other initiatives such as research and development projects.

All commercial passenger vessels operating in Canada must comply with regulations under the Canada Shipping Act. Ferries, in particular, are required to:

• be constructed to applicable Canadian and international standards for seaworthiness, buoyancy and stability in the event of damage to the vessel,
• carry specific navigating, firefighting and lifesaving equipment,
• have the required equipment to facilitate the evacuation of passengers in an emergency (marine evacuation systems, lifeboats and liferafts),
• be operated by a sufficient number of crew members trained in emergency duties,
• provide safety briefings to passengers prior to the vessel’s departure,
• plan and undertake drills for efficient emergency evacuations.

Transport Canada inspectors regularly monitor and inspect passenger ferries for compliance with regulations. If a vessel has safety deficiencies, Transport Canada takes enforcement action such as detaining the vessel until the deficiencies have been addressed and possibly laying charges against the operator in the event of a serious violation.

Transport Canada is currently reviewing regulations that fall under the Canada Shipping Act as part of a regulatory reform initiative that will modernize the existing regulatory framework. The new Canada Shipping Act, 2001, is scheduled to come into force in November 2006. Marine industry stakeholders and the general public continue to participate in this important initiative.

Safety is a shared responsibility. Transport Canada is committed to working with its Canadian and international partners, as well as with the marine community and ferry operators to continue to enhance the safety of all passenger vessel operations in Canada, and to maintain the place of Canada’s ferries amongst the safest and most efficient in the world.

September 2005