British Columbia is Canada's gateway to the Pacific. West coast ports support a large shipping industry through ice-free, deep-water ports.
Transport Canada helps ensure the safe operation of commercial shipping by certifying officers and crews on Canadian ships and inspecting foreign flag vessels entering our waters to make sure they are in compliance with strict safety and anti-pollution standards. Transport Canada
also regulates passenger vessel
safety in British Columbia, from small
whale-watching boats to large ships like B.C. Ferries.
The province's rugged 29,000 kilometre coastline is home to one of Canada’s largest recreational boating communities and thriving fishing and marine tourism industries. The Office of Boating Safety is responsible for promoting safe boating for recreational boaters, fisherman and commercial operators.
Transport Canada is responsible for creating and enforcing regulations, such as the
Canada
Shipping Act to ensure safe and environmentally responsible commercial marine operations, and the
Canada Marine Act,
to oversee Canada's ports. The Port of Vancouver is Canada's busiest, handling over 70 million tonnes of cargo annually, and the Port of Prince Rupert offers North America's shortest and most efficient land-sea route to Asian markets.
Transport Canada’s marine services (e.g., certification and examination of officers and crews, marine occupational health and safety, ship registry, etc.)
can be accessed through our Transport Canada Centres in Nanaimo, Prince
Rupert, Vancouver, and Victoria.
In accordance with the federal government's National Marine Policy, Transport Canada is transferring ownership of its regional/local
ports to local interests.
For more information about the Office of Boating Safety, please contact:
Office/Mailing Address:
Office of Boating Safety
Transport Canada
25 Huron Street
Victoria, B.C. V8V 4V9 |
Telephone Number: (250) 480-2792
E-mail: OBS Pacific |
For more information about Marine Safety, please contact:
Office:
Marine Safety
Transport Canada
700 - 800 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2J8 |
Mailing Address:
Marine Safety
Transport Canada
620 - 800 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2J8 |
Telephone Number: (604) 666-5300
Facsimile Number: (604) 666-5444 |
For more information about Harbours and Ports, please contact:
Office:
Programs Branch
Transport Canada
700 - 800 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2J8 |
Mailing Address:
Programs Branch
Transport Canada
620 - 800 Burrard Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2J8 |
Telephone Number: (604) 666-5399
Facsimile Number: (604) 666-2961 |
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