Updated navigation safety rules for vessels

Summary#

The final rule called Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020 (SOR/2020-216) updates and combines many older marine navigation and radio rules into one set. It brings Canadian requirements into line with the international International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards and raises equipment and watchkeeping requirements for many types of vessels. The regulations were registered on October 6, 2020 and published in the Canada Gazette on October 28, 2020; most provisions took effect on registration, with a few staged dates described below.

What it does#

• Consolidates and replaces several older regulations into one rule called Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020. Several older instruments (like the Ship Station (Radio) Regulations and the Charts and Nautical Publications Regulations) are repealed.
• Aligns Canadian rules with Chapters IV (radiocommunications) and V (navigation) of SOLAS, so changes at the IMO can be reflected without separate Canadian rulemaking.
• Expands equipment carriage and performance standards. New or clearer requirements cover, among other things:
  • emergency beacons (EPIRB or PLB) for many more vessels, including requirements based on length and voyage class;
  • automatic identification systems (AIS, Class A) for more vessel types (for example many vessels 20 m or longer, vessels carrying more than 50 passengers, certain towboats, dredges and vessels carrying bulk dangerous goods);
  • electronic chart systems (ECDIS) for specified new-build and certain large vessels;
  • bridge navigational watch alarm systems (BNWAS) on vessels above specified tonnages or voyages;
  • voyage data recorders (VDR / S‑VDR) rules tied to dates of construction and vessel types;
  • VHF radios with digital selective calling (DSC) and other radiocommunication equipment, with technical standards and type‑approval rules.
• Sets minimum standards for equipment type‑approval, maintenance records, onboard manuals, spare parts and annual testing where applicable.
• Updates rules about charts and publications, voyage planning, bridge layout/EMC, steering gear checks, watchkeeping language, navigational records and pilot transfer arrangements.
• Keeps or restates specific local navigation limits and prohibitions (examples: Burlington Canal, St. Clair/Detroit River rules, and listed prohibited anchorage areas).

Key staged rules and timing (from the Regulations themselves):

• Most of the Regulations come into force on the day they are registered (that was October 6, 2020).
• Section 117 (ECDIS requirement) and subsection 118(3) come into force on the first anniversary of registration (i.e. October 6, 2021).
• The AIS carriage rule in subsection 118(1) is delayed until 180 days after the Regulations come into force, except it applies immediately for:
  • passenger vessels of 150 gross tonnage or more on international voyages;
  • vessels of 300 gross tonnage or more (non‑fishing) on international voyages; and
  • vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more (non‑fishing) not on international voyages.

Who's affected#

• Owners and operators of Canadian vessels everywhere and of foreign vessels while in Canadian waters. That includes commercial shipowners, fishing vessels, ferries, towboats, dredges and floating plants.
• The fishing industry, passenger‑boat operators (including ferry and tour operators), harbour and towboat operators who may need to buy or fit new equipment.
• Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard, which enforce the rules and operate marine communications and traffic services.
• Equipment manufacturers, service providers, shipyards and repair facilities (for installation, testing and annual checks).
• In some parts of the country, local users will notice specific navigation limits (for example in the Burlington Canal or the St. Clair/Detroit River area).

If it is unclear who must act: the rules generally apply to Canadian ships anywhere and to any ship, Canadian or foreign, while in Canadian waters. Specific equipment obligations depend on vessel size, type, voyage class and whether the vessel is a fishing vessel, pleasure craft, towboat, etc.

Why it matters#

• Safety: the rules are designed to reduce collisions, groundings and search‑and‑rescue delays by making more vessels carry reliable distress beacons, better radios (DSC), AIS transponders and electronic navigation systems. The government’s analysis estimated avoided loss of life and injuries and valued benefits over 2020–2031 (see below).
• Faster, better search and rescue: wider carriage of EPIRBs, AIS and DSC-capable radios helps responders locate people and vessels more quickly and accurately.
• International alignment: matching Chapters IV and V of SOLAS helps Canadian vessels meet global standards and reduces regulatory mismatch for international operators.
• Practical impact: many vessel owners will need to buy, install or maintain equipment and keep new records. The government’s cost‑benefit analysis estimated total present value benefits of about $204.6 million and total present value costs of about $88.1 million over 2020–2031, for a net present value of about $116.5 million. The analysis also estimated avoided incidents such as about 27 avoided fatalities and 11 avoided serious injuries over the period (modelled estimates in the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement).
• Timing to comply: some equipment rules kick in immediately, others are phased (see “What it does”); affected operators should check the specific thresholds (length, gross tonnage, voyage class) that apply to their vessels and plan purchases and installation accordingly.

If you operate or manage a vessel, check the regulation text or contact Transport Canada or the Canadian Coast Guard for the exact equipment lists, technical standards and the compliance deadlines that apply to your vessel.