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TIPS
WE WELCOME YOUR IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS AND SUBMISSIONS!

Some questions, answers and tips for contributing to Marine Safety Review:
1. Who are our readers?
2. What kinds of articles do we publish?
3. In what format should submissions be?
4. Once submitted, what is done with my Article?
5.Some  tips to assist you.

1. Who are our readers?

• Marine Safety employees of Transport Canada.
• Members of the marine community across Canada and abroad, including private companies, institutions, associations and other government departments.

2. What kinds of articles do we publish?

Items of interest and relevance to the marine community such as:

• Legislative developments
• Special projects and initiatives
• Activities and events
• New technology, research and innovations
• Informative facts and findings

3. In what format should submissions be?

• We welcome your original articles, even if only in point form – you don’t have to write like Shakespeare to contribute! Plain language is the key.
• Articles may vary in length from a brief paragraph to two standard size pages.
• Written in English or French. If possible, include translations for official titles and technical terms.
• Electronic format preferred, but hard copy also accepted
• Photos and illustrations either on their own or accompanied by an article. Please include captions and credits.* If submitted in hard copy format, include a return address should you wish to have these items returned.

* Note: Written permission is required from those individuals quoted, pictured or referred to in an article.

4. Once submitted, what is done with my Article?

• Your article may be edited for grammar, clarity and length. Once edited, it will be returned to you for final approval.
• Your article will then be published as space permits. You will be advised should your article be deferred to a subsequent edition.

Here are some writing tips to assist you:

• Ask yourself the W5 question: Who,What, Where, When, Why and yes, How?
• Keep in mind the target audience and related topics of interest (see #1 and #2 above)
• Capture the reader’s attention by placing the most important information at the beginning of the article.
• Keep sentences and paragraphs short and to the point.
• Use plain, clear and simple language
• If using acronyms, spell them out at first use. For example: Transport Canada (TC)
• Feel free to include quotations from those "in the know" (ensure you obtain written permission from those you are quoting).
• Write in the active, rather than passive voice. For example: "The participants contributed valuable insights" instead of "Valuable insights were contributed by the participants."
• Suggest a descriptive and eye-catching headline.

Send submissions to the attention of:

Editor

Marine Safety Review

Transport Canada, Marine Safety (AMSB)
Tower C, Place de Ville
330 Sparks St., 11^th floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N8

E-mail: MarineSafety@tc.gc.ca

Web site: www.tc.gc.ca/MarineSafety/

Telephone: (613) 990-6653
Facsimile: (613) 990-6191

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