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INTRODUCTION – THINKING AHEAD
Who Should Read this Guide
Marine Safety – Working with You
Accidents don’t just happen. Often conditions causing vessel loss
and casualty could have been averted by thinking ahead about safety. Unsafe
water conditions and failures of equipment and crew, together, can allow
a random gathering of events to become an accident... sometimes with tragic
results. To prevent tragedy, vessel operators need to be aware of what
they can do in advance to protect against hazards.
Human error and equipment failure cannot be legislated out of existence.
However, it is possible to increase the safety of commercial vessels by
complying with regulations, applying best practices, increasing crew knowledge
and improving vessel condition and emergency response. This guide will
give you an overview of all these aspects.
Owners and operators of commercial vessels not exceeding 15 gross tons
will find this guide a useful primer to ensure their vessel is seaworthy
in all respects and properly equipped in event of emergency. There is
no attempt, however, to cover every aspect of the regulations and standards
in this guide.
Understanding and complying with the Canada
Shipping Act , the
associated regulations and standards, and implementing prudent marine
practices will improve marine safety. Like any good guide, this booklet
will help you become more knowledgeable, and it will point you in the
right direction to gain more information on the specific regulations that
apply to the particulars of your vessel and situation. However, we need
to remind you that this guide does not replace or supersede the laws and
regulations on which it is based.
You have a duty to make yourself thoroughly familiar with the laws and
regulations that apply to your vessels. Don’t accept safety hazards
as the cost of doing business. The majority of risks can be controlled
and defended against, with this essential guide as the starting point
for new and experienced commercial vessel owners and operators alike.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS GUIDE ^
This guide is aimed at owners and operators of small commercial vessels.
For the purpose of this guide, a small commercial vessel is a vessel no
larger than 15 tons gross tonnage, that is not a fishing vessel or a pleasure
craft. If passengers are carried, there are no more than 12 on board.
A pleasure craft means a vessel used for pleasure and not for
a commercial purpose.
A fishing vessel means a vessel that is employed in the catching
of fish, mammals, or other living resources from the sea, and that does
not carry passengers or cargo, other than a cargo of fish.
A passenger is anyone on a ship except for the master, a member
of the crew or a person engaged in any capacity on board the ship on the
business of the ship, including special purpose personnel, a person carried
in pursuance of the obligation to carry shipwrecked persons, or a guest
on board the ship if the ship is used exclusively for pleasure and the
guest is carried without remuneration or any object of profit.
For more information on whether the laws and regulations for small commercial
vessels apply to your particular situation, Please see Application,
Chapter 1.
MARINE SAFETY– WORKING WITH YOU ^
People don’t need to be reminded of the importance of safety. That’s
why we work together with the entire marine community and Canadians from
coast to coast to coast to minimize risk on the water. Transport Canada
is the national authority over commercial ship safety in Canadian waters.
The Marine Safety Directorate is responsible for the safe operation of
ships, protection of life and property, and safeguarding the marine environment
from ship-source pollution.
Our focus on safety covers every aspect of commercial vessels and their
operations, including registration of ships, certification of officers,
safety equipment, regulation of working conditions for crews, vessel construction,
marine pilotage, navigation safety and pollution prevention. It also incorporates
several important provisions that relate to compliance of domestic and
foreign ships with international maritime conventions to ensure commercial
vessels operate in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally sound,
and responsive to the needs of all Canadians.
We Don’t Do It Alone ^
Partner safety agencies such as police forces and the Canadian Coast
Guard also have important safety roles. However, as inspectors and other
safety partners will not be with you as you go about your business, the
onus is clearly on you, the owner or operator, to ensure the safe condition
and operation of your vessel.
More Information ^
Transport Canada offices are located throughout Canada to answer questions
you may have on safe marine practices, plan approvals, ship surveys and
inspections, certification of shipboard personnel, licensing and registration,
pollution prevention, and more. To find an office near you, please see
the list of Transport Canada Centres
in Appendix 2.
To research the specific rules and regulations that apply to your vessel,
you can follow the references provided throughout this guide.
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