DECAL PROGRAM AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

With the growth of the tour boat industry across the country, Transport Canada has developed a safety program to make it easier for passengers to recognize vessels that have been inspected by the department and that meet safety standards and regulations. The program involves placing decals on commercial passenger vessels that have been inspected and meet applicable standards and regulations.

To inform the public of the new decals, Transport Canada has started a public awareness campaign addressed to people who may consider taking a commercial boat tour. Look for Transport Canada’s posters and brochures at a tourist information centre near you.

Safety is a shared responsibility. While Transport Canada regulates commercial vessel operators to verify that they meet all applicable safety standards and regulations, there are some precautionary measures passengers should also take to enhance their own safety when going on a tour. These include:

• In addition to looking for the inspection decal prior to boarding a tour boat, passengers should ask their boat operator if they have a valid Transport Canada inspection certificate.
• Passengers should listen carefully to the safety briefing offered by the operator so they know where the life-jackets are and what to do in an emergency.

For more information, check the Frequently Asked Questions on the sticker campaign, visit Transport Canada’s small vessels website, or call your regional Transport Canada Marine Safety office:

Pacific region: (604) 666-5300 
Prairie and Northern region: 1-888-463-0521 
Ontario region: (519) 383-1826 
Quebec region: 1-888-649-6292 
Atlantic region: 1-800-387-4999 

May 2006