Water-level alarms required on large fishing vessels

Summary#

These are final regulations (SOR/2022-25) that change the Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations to require water-level alarms on certain large fishing vessels. The rule requires detectors and alarms for watertight compartments below the waterline that are not meant to hold liquids. The amendment was registered on February 21, 2022 and comes into force on the first anniversary — February 21, 2023.

What it does#

• Requires every watertight compartment that is partially or fully below the load waterline and not intended to carry liquids to have a high water level detector.
• The detector must be connected to both a visual and an audible alarm in the vessel’s control station.
• Applies to existing fishing vessels that are over 24.4 m in length or 150 gross tonnage and that are not sailing ships.
• Sets the compliance date as one year after registration (registered February 21, 2022, effective February 21, 2023).

Who's affected#

• Owners and operators of large Canadian fishing vessels (those over 24.4 m or 150 gross tonnage). Transport Canada counted 154 such vessels in 2020.
  • Of those, 104 are between 24.4 m and 34 m, 35 are between 34 m and 55 m, and 15 are 55 m or longer.
• Crews on those vessels, who will get earlier warnings of flooding.
• Small businesses that own a single large vessel are expected to shoulder a share of the cost (about 44% of the total estimated cost).

Financial note from the government analysis:

• Total installation cost (present value) is estimated at $88,170.
• Most of that ($74,680) is expected to be paid when the rule comes into force, with $13,490 for new vessels in later years.
• Costs are concentrated regionally (about 68% Atlantic, 25% Pacific).

Why it matters#

• The rule aims to reduce the risk of undetected flooding, which can quickly make a vessel unstable and lead to loss of the ship, cargo, or life.
• It responds to a long-standing safety recommendation from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (related to past sinkings where undetected flooding was a factor).
• Early detection gives crew time to fix leaks, move people to safety, avoid or reduce damage, and reduce the chance of costly search and rescue or fatal accidents.
• The government’s analysis says the likely safety benefits would outweigh the installation costs, though those benefits are hard to put into dollar terms because such incidents are rare.