Marine Transportation
Transport Canada promotes efficient marine transportation and safe, secure and sustainable marine practices; oversees marine infrastructure; regulates the safe transportation of dangerous goods by water; and helps protect the marine environment.
Find out about...
- Keeping you and your guests safe in the water
- Marine Policy
- Marine Training and Certification
- Marine Transportation in the Regions
- Providing input into proposed regulations of the Navigable Waters Protection Act
- Recreational Boating
- Requirements to build or place something in, on, over or under water
- Small Commercial Vessel Safety
- Small Vessel Compliance Program - non-pleasure craft (SVCP)
- Standards for Marine Safety Services
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods
I want to...
- Apply for a marine medical
- Apply for approval to build or place something in, on, over or under water
- Change my address and ownership
- Enrol in the Small Vessel Compliance Program (Non-pleasure craft) (SVCP)
- Import a boat
- License my pleasure craft
- Obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator Card
- Receive Ship Safety Bulletins by signing up for e-Bulletin
- Register a small commercial vessel
- Report marine pollution
Click on a topic to expand the list and access items.
I am a recreational boater
Canada has the world's longest coastline and greatest concentration of freshwater lakes. We invite you to explore Canada's waterways responsibly. All recreational boaters, are expected to know the rules that govern their safe enjoyment in Canadian waters.
Do you have your Pleasure Craft Operators Card?
Learn how to obtain yours.
- Boating Safety
- Licensing and Registration
- Human Powered Craft
- Visitors
- Marine Environment
- On the water
- Weather and Water Conditions
- Sea Ice Conditions (Natural Resources Canada)
- Special Zones/BRRs
- Trip/Rescue Plan
- Emergencies
- Marine and Air Emergency Telephone Numbers
- Charts
I am a marine passenger
Make sure you get all the information you need for a safe trip! Some of the most beautiful and exciting tours take place on Canadian waters. Although our marine industry has an enviable safety record, accidents can happen. Passenger vessel crews are trained to deal with emergencies, however if you're responsible for planning a boat tour, there are steps you can take to increase the likelihood of a safe, fun outing.
Some of the most beautiful and exciting tours take place on Canadian waters.
If you're responsible for planning a boat tour, there are steps you can take to increase the likelihood of a safe, fun outing.
- Ferry Services
- Provincial Ferry Services (Newfoundland and Labrador)
- Ferries (Prince Edward Island)
- Ferry service (New Brunswick)
- Bay Ferries (Nova Scotia)
- Ferries (Quebec)
- Ferry Information (Ontario)
- Ferry Schedules (Manitoba)
- Ferry Information (Saskatchewan)
- Ferries (Alberta)
- Inland Ferry Schedules (British Columbia)
- BC Ferries (British Columbia)
- George Black Ferry (Yukon)
- Ferries Services (Northwest Territories)
- Safety
- Visitors
- Thinking of booking a boat tour?
- Information for passengers
- Accessible transportation
I am concerned about the marine environment
Transport Canada develops and administers policies, regulations and programs to protect the marine environment; reduce the impact on the environment of marine pollution incidents in Canadian waters; and promote the safety of the general public.
Learn more about what Canada is doing about Arctic climate change.
- Pollution
- Prevention and Enforcement
- Protection
- Climate Change
I am a small commercial vessel operator
Transport Canada Marine Safety Inspectors are working with small vessel operators across Canada to enhance the safety of small tour boat operations. Owners and operators must ensure their vessels meet national construction and maintenance standards, and that all crew be trained and certified to deal with marine emergencies.
Does your vessel have an Inspection Certificate, Notice of Inspection or decal?
Contact your nearest Transport Canada Marine Safety office to arrange an inspection.
- Certification and Vessel Registration
- On the water
- Canadian Marine Weather(Environment Canada)
- Sea Ice Conditions (Natural Resources Canada)
- Small and Special Purpose Vessels
- Small Fishing Vessels
- Small Vessel Compliance Program (Non-Pleasure Craft)(SVCP)
- What is the SVCP?
- >Request for Inspection form (PDF)
- SVCP Web site
- Regional Transport Canada Centres
- Safety
- Acts, Regulations & Policies
I am a large commercial vessel operator
Safe navigation of Canada's waters requires vessels - from large cruise ships to cargo vessels - that are built, equipped, operated and crewed according to standards and regulations set and enforced by Transport Canada.
Have you read the latest Ship Safety Bulletin?
- Certification and Vessel Registration
- On the water
- Canadian Marine Weather (Environment Canada)
- Sea Ice Conditions (Natural Resources Canada)
- Safety
- Ports
- Acts, Regulations & Policies
- Canada's Gateways
- Environment
- Accessibility
I am a seafarer
Transport Canada develops and enforces regulations related to training, testing and certifying marine personnel, including seafarers, ship security officers and pleasure craft operators, to ensure the safe operation of all marine vessels in Canada.
Do you have your Seafarer's Identity Document?
Applications can be made at any Transport Canada Marine Safety office.
- Training and Certification
- Safety
- Service Standards
- Ports
- Canada's Gateways
- Ship Security Officers
- Vessels
- Environment
Latest News Releases
See all marine-related news releases
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