Area 2 Pilotage Order and Fingerprint Designations

Summary#

This notice names and removes a few people authorized to do fingerprint examinations under the Criminal Code, and it announces Interim Order No. 2 Respecting Area 2 of the Pacific Pilotage Authority Region, made May 1, 2025, which temporarily changes pilotage rules in a specific sea area. The pilotage change makes only large, laden crude oil tankers of 40,000 summer deadweight tonnes or more subject to compulsory pilotage in that extended area, and the order expires after 30 days.

What it does#

• Fingerprint examiner changes under the Criminal Code:

  • Designates Kelly Menna of the Belleville Police Service (designated April 28, 2025).
  • Designates Mario Danis, Vasco Martinov and Matthew Ramsden of the Ottawa Police Service (designated April 28, 2025).
  • Designates Mark Adams of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (designated April 28, 2025).
  • Revokes the designation of Jim Killeen and Robert Kurus of the Ottawa Police Service (revoked April 28, 2025).

• Changes made by Interim Order No. 2 Respecting Area 2 of the Pacific Pilotage Authority Region (under the Pilotage Act and referencing the General Pilotage Regulations):

  • Extends what counts as Area 2 by adding a specific polygon of waters defined by a list of latitude/longitude points. The order lists the exact coordinates.
  • Within that extended Area 2, only laden crude oil tankers of 40,000 summer deadweight tonnes or more are required to take a compulsory pilot.
  • Requires notices about a ship’s movement to state the nature of any cargo on board, in addition to existing notice requirements.
  • Defines “crude oil” and “crude oil tanker” for the order’s purposes.
  • Repeals the prior interim order made May 1, 2024.
  • The new interim order is itself set to be repealed 30 days after it was made (it was made May 1, 2025).

Who's affected#

• Shipping companies and ship operators that run crude oil tankers into or through the waters covered by the extended Area 2, especially those operating vessels of 40,000 summer deadweight tonnes or more.
• The Pacific Pilotage Authority and local marine pilots, who manage and provide pilotage services in the area.
• Ports, harbours, tug operators, local maritime service providers and coastal communities near the defined coordinates — they may see changes in pilotage procedures or traffic reporting.
• Emergency responders and marine safety organizations, who will receive cargo-type information in notices.
• The Belleville Police Service, Ottawa Police Service, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the named individuals listed under the fingerprint examiner designations and revocations.
• If it is unclear exactly which local harbours or communities fall inside the new polygon, the order’s coordinates are the definitive guide.

Why it matters#

• Compulsory pilotage for the largest laden crude oil tankers brings trained local pilots aboard those vessels. That is intended to reduce navigation risk and lower the chance of collisions or oil spills in the affected waters.
• Requiring cargo type in shipping notices gives port authorities, pilots and response teams more information up front. That can speed decision-making in routine traffic control and in emergencies.
• The interim order is temporary (30 days), so this is a short-term safety measure while authorities consider longer-term rules or solutions.
• The fingerprint examiner listings are routine administrative actions that affect which people can perform fingerprint work for criminal cases in their named police services.