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Our Vision
A marine industry where safety and environmental protection are the top priorities.
Marine Safety Mandate and Responsibilities
The purpose of the Marine Safety program is to protect life, health, property
and the marine environment, thereby contributing to an efficient and sustainable
marine transportation system in which the public can have continued confidence.
Marine Safety's mandate encompasses the full spectrum of
responsibilities related to the safety of vessels and environmental
protection, including:
- developing, administrating and enforcing national and international laws;
- promoting safe practices and procedures;
- overseeing training programs for officers and crews of commercial
vessels; pleasure craft operator competency requirements;
- responding to marine occupational health and safety
issues;
- maintaining a Canadian ship registry;
- protection and
safety of marine navigation and the protection of marine
environment in Canadian waterways;
- licensing small commercial vessels and pleasure
craft; and
- overseeing pilotage matters.
Marine Safety derives its authority from numerous pieces of
legislation, including the Canada Shipping Act, Arctic Waters
Pollution Prevention Act, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act,
Safe Containers Act, Pilotage Act, Canada Labour Code, Coasting
Trade Act, Navigable
Waters Protection Act, and the Canada Marine Act. In addition, a variety of
international conventions provide Marine Safety with powers and
responsibilities as they relate to the marine transportation
system in Canada, including foreign and domestic shipping.
Clients, Partners and Stakeholders
Marine Safety provides direct services to all segments of both
the domestic and foreign marine industries. In addition, Marine
Safety collaborates with a variety of partner organizations to
provide services, including industry associations, labour unions,
special interest groups, federal and provincial governments, and
other areas of Transport Canada, among others.
Although not always Marine Safety's direct client, the general
public ultimately receives the benefits of its services. The most
important aspect of Marine Safety's mandate is to protect the
public interest, ensuring safety for the travelling public by
supporting, promoting and regulating marine practices, which
protect human life and the environment.
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