NOTICES TO MARINERS
PUBLICATION
EASTERN EDITION

TRANSPORT CANADA – RESTRICTED SPEED AREA - ST. CLAIR AND DETROIT RIVERS

(Recurrent publication of notice *1103/12, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Eastern Edition 11/2012.)

Since November 14, 2012, the restricted speed area currently in place as per the St. Clair and Detroit River Navigation Safety Regulations between the Detroit River light and Peche Island light is reduced in size by relocating the southern point of the restricted speed area from its current location at the Detroit River light to a new location at Bar Point light D33.

SAGUENAY–ST. LAWRENCE MARINE PARK AND SURROUNDING WATERS – WHALE PROTECTION

(Recurrent publication of notice *413/19, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Eastern Edition 04/2019.)

The waters in and around the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park are well known for the resident endangered beluga population and the wide diversity of whales that migrate there to feed, particularly between April and November.

REGULATORY PROTECTION MEASURES

All whale species that are found in the St. Lawrence are protected under the Marine Mammal Regulations, pursuant to the Fisheries Act. Within the boundaries of the Marine Park, specific measures are set out in the Marine Activities in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations, pursuant to the establishment of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Act. Any collision with a marine mammal within the Marine Park must immediately be reported to a park warden at 1-866-508-9888. For collisions that occur outside the Marine Park or for any situation involving a marine mammal that is dead or in trouble, contact the emergency network at 1-877-722-5346 or on VHF channel 16.

For more information on the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, see notice 5C of the Notices to Mariners Annual Edition 2019.

VOLUNTARY PROTECTION MEASURES

Provisional measures in effect from May 1 to October 31, 2019. See map at the end of this notice.

These measures apply to merchant vessels and cruise ships between Pointe à Boisvert and Cap de la Tête au Chien to prevent collisions with whales. These measures should only be taken when they will not jeopardize navigational safety.

Caution area (yellow area): To reduce the risk of collisions with whales that can be present anywhere in this area, heightened vigilance of navigators is critical. Posting a lookout is recommended in order to increase the chances of seeing the whales and thus taking necessary measures to avoid them. If bypassing the whales is not possible, slow down and wait for the animals to move away to a distance greater than 400 metres (0.215 nautical miles) before resuming original speed. It is more difficult to see the animals at night therefore increased caution is recommended.

Slow down to 10 knots or less area (red area): To reduce the risk of collisions with whales in this feeding area, it is recommended that vessels slow down to a maximum speed through the water of 10 knots and post a lookout. It is further recommended to remain in the Laurentian Channel to the north of Île Rouge to minimize the impact of noise in a sensitive area south of this island, which is highly frequented by herds of beluga whales composed of females and young.

Area to be avoided (hatched red area): To reduce noise and the risk of collisions with whales, vessels should avoid transiting through this area which is highly frequented by blue whales, an endangered species. If the area cannot be avoided, slow down to a speed through the water of 10 knots or less.

SAGUENAY–ST. LAWRENCE MARINE PARK – BELUGA WHALE PROTECTION: SLOWDOWN AREA AT THE MOUTH OF THE SAGUENAY FJORD AND AREA CLOSURE AT BAIE SAINTE-MARGUERITE

(Recurrent publication of notice *414/19, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Eastern Edition 04/2019.)

The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park and its surrounding area are at the heart of endangered beluga whale critical summer habitat. Marine mammal protection measures have been put in place in accordance with the Marine Activities in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations within the limits of the Marine Park.

However, important feeding, calving and rearing areas for beluga whales require greater protection to ensure the recovery of the species. The portion of the Saguenay situated between the mouth of the Fjord and Baie Sainte-Marguerite is one of the areas most used by females and their young from May to October. The mouth of the Saguenay is known as a feeding ground and Baie Sainte-Marguerite as a calving and rearing area.

In order to prevent collisions with beluga whales, a compulsory 15-knot slowdown area is in effect from May 1^st to October 31^st at the mouth of the Saguenay. To ensure tranquility for female belugas and their young during the critical calving period, access to Baie Sainte-Marguerite is prohibited to all vessels from June 21^st to September 21^st, except for special authorizations (see description below).

For safety reasons, these measures do not apply to cargo ships (see the monthly edition of Notice to Mariners from May to October for voluntary protection measures in the St. Lawrence Estuary). An enhanced vigilance is, however, recommended to all navigators between the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord and Baie Sainte-Marguerite for the protection of beluga whales.

For more information on the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, see notice 5C of the Notices to Mariners Annual Edition 2019 or visit http://parcmarin.qc.ca/home/.

REGULATORY PROTECTION MEASURES — BELUGA WHALE

Entire Marine Park Territory:

•When beluga whales are less than half a nautical mile (926 metres) from a motorized vessel, the vessel must maintain a speed of between 5 and 10 knots.
•All vessels, including human-powered vessels (kayaks and canoes), must continue to move forward and maintain their heading.
•All vessels must maintain a minimum distance of 400 metres from beluga whales at all times.

For more information concerning the regulations, consult: http://marinepark.ca/protect/#regulations.

Mouth of the Saguenay Fjord (Figure 1) — Slowdown Area (area cross-hatched in red):

•Maximum speed at the mouth of the Saguenay between buoys S7 and S8 and the ferry docks between
Baie-Sainte-Catherine and Tadoussac is 15 knots from May 1^st to October 31^st.

Baie Sainte-Marguerite (Figure 2) — Area Closure (red area):

•From June 21^st to September 21^st, vessels must not enter the red area, which follows a line between Cap Nord-Ouest and Cap Sainte-Marguerite.
•Special authorizations are granted only for kayaks, canoes and recreational fishermen who must travel without stopping along a corridor within 10 metres of the shore or in shallow areas.

VOLUNTARY PROTECTION MEASURES

Baie Sainte-Marguerite sector (Figure 2) — Transit Area (area cross-hatched in yellow):

•From June 21^st to September 21^st, navigation in this area is recommended at a speed of between 5 and 10 knots without stopping.

The purpose of this transit area is to favour respect of the Marine Activities in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations, since beluga whales are often present in the Baie Sainte-Marguerite sector.

INFORMATION

All incidents, including collisions with whales, must be reported without delay by dialling 1-866-508-9888. For any other situation concerning a marine mammal that is either dead or in trouble, contact the emergency network at 1-877-722-5346, or use VHF channel 16.

Figure 1

Figure 2

IMPORTANT AMENDMENT: GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE – PROTECTION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE

(Recurrent publication of notice *801/19, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Eastern Edition 08/2019. It replaces notice *701/19 and includes all major changes, which are highlighted in yellow.)

Due to changing migration of North Atlantic right whales and their increased presence in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Government of Canada has established seasonal speed restrictions in specific zones. These restrictions combine “static zones” and “dynamic shipping zones.” See the map below for details.

Note: Navigational Warnings with these speed restrictions are considered to be Notices to Shipping, which vessels must follow under section 7 of the Collision Regulations.

Changes to speed restriction zones
In response to consultations with industry, and based on scientific data, we have made two changes to the restriction zone this year, which took effect on April 28, 2019:

•We removed the southeast corner of the speed restriction zone, around the Magdalen Islands.
•To help reduce impacts on the marine shipping industry, we are allowing vessels, in the absence of North Atlantic right whale sightings, to travel at safe speeds in a larger area north of Anticosti Island, extending to the mainland.

In response to the recent deaths in June and July 2019 of 8 NARWs, additional changes have been made to the restriction zone, which took effect on July 9, 2019:

•As the speed restriction in the static zone may be lifted when there are adverse weather conditions forecast in the area, the static zone has been divided in two sections in order to diminish the impact of the lifting of the mandatory speed restriction. This modification will be in effect for the rest of the year.
•Dynamic zone E has been added and the static zones have been extended to cover the area around the new dynamic zone E.
•All speed restrictions apply to vessels above 13 m.

Please refer to the latest NAVWARN issued by the Canadian Coast Guard for all speed restrictions currently in force.

Static zones

In the static zones, all vessels above 13 m in length overall (LOA) must proceed at a speed of not more than 10.0 knots over the ground.

NEW coordinates for the northern static zone:

•50° 20’ N 065° 00’ W
•49° 13’ N 065° 00’ W
•48° 40’ N 064° 13’ W
•48° 40’ N 062° 40’ W
•48° 03’ N 061° 07.5’ W
•47° 58.1’ N 061° 03.5’ W
•48° 00’ N 061° 00’ W
•49° 04’ N 061° 00’ W
•49° 04’ N 062° 00’ W
•49° 43’ N 063° 00’ W
•50° 20’ N 063° 00’ W

NEW coordinates for the southern static zone:

•48° 40’ N 065° 00’ W
•48° 40’ N 062° 40’ W
•48° 00’ N 061° 00’ W
•48° 03’ N 061° 07.5’ W
•47° 58.1’ N 061° 03.5’ W
•47° 10’ N 062° 30’ W
•47° 10’ N 065° 00’ W

Mariners will be notified ahead via a NAVWARN on which of these sections are not subject to a speed restriction, due to inclement weather.

Within any static zone that is not subject to a speed restriction, mariners may proceed at a safe operational speed. However, we recommend that mariners proceed with extreme caution while transiting in these sections and avoid excessive speed in order to minimize potential strikes with NARWs.

Dynamic shipping zones

The static zone has 5 “dynamic shipping zones”: A, B, C, D and E.

When the Government of Canada determines that North Atlantic right whales do not appear to be in these zones, vessels may transit through them at a safe operational speed.

When we determine that North Atlantic right whales are present in a dynamic zone, vessels above 13 m in length overall (LOA)

•will be notified through a NAVWARN; and
•must proceed at a speed of not more than 10.0 knots over the ground within that zone.

Note: Dynamic shipping zone E is a new zone as of July 2019.

Dynamic zone coordinates

Zone A

•49⁰ 41’ N, 065⁰ 00’ W
•49⁰ 20’ N, 065⁰ 00’ W
•49⁰ 11’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W
•49⁰ 22’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W

Zone B

•49⁰ 22’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W
•49⁰ 11’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W
•48⁰ 48’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W
•49⁰ 00’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W

Zone C

•49⁰ 00’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W
•48⁰ 48’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W
•48⁰ 24’ N, 062⁰ 00’ W
•48⁰ 35’ N, 062⁰ 00’ W

Zone D

•50⁰ 16’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W
•50⁰ 00’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W
•49⁰ 56’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W
•50⁰ 16’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W

Zone E

•48⁰ 35’ N, 062⁰ 00’ W
•48⁰ 24’ N, 062⁰ 00’ W
•48° 03’ N 061° 07.5’ W
•47° 58.1’ N 061° 03.5’ W
•48⁰ 00’ N, 061⁰ 00’ W
•48⁰ 10.5’ N, 061⁰ 00’ W

Speed restrictions in the dynamic shipping zones

These speed restrictions will be in effect for 15 days from the date we issue them. We may extend a restriction past the 15 days if North Atlantic right whales continue to be present. Speed restriction zones and sectors will be announced through NAVWARNs.

These restrictions will be in effect from April 28 to November 15, 2019. These dates may change, depending on when whales are present.

During this period, vessels above 13 m in length (LOA) must reduce their speed so as not to exceed 10.0 knots over the ground in the presence of North Atlantic right whales.

Outside the restriction period, once the mandatory speed restriction is lifted, we ask vessels to reduce their speed voluntarily so as not to exceed 10.0 knots over the ground

•in the presence of North Atlantic right whales; and
•only if maritime conditions permit safe operation of their vessel at that speed.

Map of the Gulf of St. Lawrence
The following map shows

•the speed restriction zone, in red (static zones); and
•the dynamic shipping zones, in green.

Map showing the static restriction area and the five dynamic zones (A, B, C, D and E).

Navigational Warnings (NAVWARNs) Broadcasts

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) continues to promulgate valid Navigational Warnings via radio broadcasts over various terrestrial systems and also online at http://www.marinfo.gc.ca/e-nav or http://nis.ccg-gcc.gc.ca. Mariners shall ensure that they have correct and up-to-date information concerning the protection of the North Atlantic right whales as contained in all applicable Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) and Navigational Warnings.

Canada has replaced its Notice to Shipping (NOTSHIP) with Navigational Warnings (NAVWARNs). NOTSHIPs are no longer being issued. Mariners and other users will be able to search for NAVWARNs, or subscribe to receive NAVWARNs by email, by visiting the following web page: http://nis.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/public/rest/messages/en/search.

Until updates are completed to Canadian nautical charts and publications, Notice to Shipping or NOTSHIPs will continue to be referenced. All references to Notices to Shipping and to NOTSHIPs must be read as meaning Navigational Warnings or NAVWARNs.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) will still be issued as usual and can be searched by visiting the following web page: https://www.notmar.gc.ca/monthly-mensuel-en.php.

Aids to Navigation

In addition, CCG continues to test the use of virtual Automatic Identification System aids to navigation (AIS AtoN), referred in NOTMAR 819(T)/2016. These aids will notify a mariner of a dynamic sector that is subject to a speed restriction. Each dynamic sector will be delimited by four virtual AIS AtoN which could be displayed on the ship’s navigation equipment such as: ECDIS, ECS, RADAR, Minimum Keyboard Display, and Electronic Nautical Charts. The virtual AIS AtoN will be broadcasted only when a speed restriction is in effect in one or more sectors. The mariner is required to select the virtual AIS AtoN symbol to view a message as such: “SectA1 Spd Lim 10 kt.” This message refers to a speed restriction in effect for a specific sector. As this system continues to be in the testing phase, it is not the primary means of communicating with the mariner.

Compliance and enforcement

NAVWARNs are enforced in the same way as Notices to Shipping. You must comply with these warnings under section 7 of the Collision Regulations.

If you do not comply with any instructions in the NAVWARNs, you could face

•administrative monetary penalties ranging from CAN $6,000 to CAN $25,000; and/or
•penal sanctions under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.

If your vessel appears to have violated the speed restriction, Transport Canada Marine Safety inspectors will review all information provided through AIS and seek information from the master.

We will not grant exemptions to the speed restriction in advance. However, Transport Canada will review and consider reasons such as

•navigating to ensure vessel safety;
•weather conditions;
•force majeure (unforeseeable circumstances); and
•responding to emergencies.

Report a North Atlantic right whale sighting

If you see a North Atlantic right whale that is entangled, dead or injured, please report it to your nearest Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre, or as follows:

Southern part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Marine Animal Response Society

Telephone: 1-866-567-6277

Newfoundland and Labrador

Whale Release and Strandings

Telephone: 1-888-895-3003

For the Québec Sector

Marine Mammal Emergencies

Telephone: 1-877-722-5346

If you see live, free-swimming whales

•Call 1-902-440-8611 (local) or 1-844-800-8568 (toll free)
•Email: XMARWhalesightings@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Please consult WhaleMap for the latest right whale observations:

https://whalemap.ocean.dal.ca/

*1001CANADIAN COAST GUARD - LIST OF CHARTS AND REFERENCE CHARTS (SECTION 1) AFFECTED BY TEMPORARY AND PRELIMINARY NOTICES

IN EFFECT OCTOBER 25, 2019

(REVISED AND PROMULGATED QUARTERLY)

*1002PLAYGREEN LAKE TO/AU LITTLE PLAYGREEN LAKE – UNLIT BUOYS REPOSITIONED

Reference Chart: 6263

The following unlit buoys have been permanently repositioned:

(A2019-013 to 017)

*1003(P)LITTLE BAY ARM AND APPROACHES / ET LES APPROCHES – NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES

Reference Chart: 4523

The Canadian Coast Guard proposes to permanently change the following aids to navigation:

Comments on this action are solicited from mariners and other interested parties by January 31, 2020, three months following the initial publication date of October 25, 2019. Following this date, this notice will be cancelled. Comments should be directed to the following:

Superintendent, Aids to Navigation
Canadian Coast Guard
P.O. Box 5667
250 Southside Road
St. John’s, NL A1C 5X1
Telephone: (709) 552-6456
Email: renee.pope@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Any objections raised must state the facts on which they are based and should include supporting information on safety, commerce and public benefit.

(N2019-097)

*1004(P)HARBOURS IN PLACENTIA BAY / HAVRES DANS PLACENTIA BAY: PETIT FORTE TO / À BROAD COVE HEAD – LIGHT BUOYS TO BE DISCONTINUED

Reference Chart: 4615

The Canadian Coast Guard proposes to permanently discontinue the following aids to navigation:

Comments on this action are solicited from mariners and other interested parties by January 31, 2020, three months following the initial publication date of October 25, 2019. Following this date, this notice will be cancelled. Comments should be directed to the following:

Superintendent, Aids to Navigation
Canadian Coast Guard
P.O. Box 5667
250 Southside Road
St. John’s, NL A1C 5X1
Telephone: (709) 552-6456
Email: renee.pope@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Any objections raised must state the facts on which they are based and should include supporting information on safety, commerce and public benefit.

(N2019-094)

*1005(P)PRESQUE HARBOUR TO / À BAR HAVEN ISLAND AND / ET PARADISE SOUND – LIGHT BUOY TO BE DISCONTINUED

Reference Chart: 4619

The Canadian Coast Guard proposes to permanently discontinue the following aid to navigation:

Comments on this action are solicited from mariners and other interested parties by January 31, 2020, three months following the initial publication date of October 25, 2019. Following this date, this notice will be cancelled. Comments should be directed to the following:

Superintendent, Aids to Navigation
Canadian Coast Guard
P.O. Box 5667
250 Southside Road
St. John’s, NL A1C 5X1
Telephone: (709) 552-6456
Email: renee.pope@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Any objections raised must state the facts on which they are based and should include supporting information on safety, commerce and public benefit.

(N2019-100)

*1006(P)TWILLINGATE HARBOURS – LIGHT BUOY TO BE DISCONTINUED

Reference Chart: 4886

The Canadian Coast Guard proposes to permanently discontinue the following aid to navigation:

Comments on this action are solicited from mariners and other interested parties by January 31, 2020, three months following the initial publication date of October 25, 2019. Following this date, this notice will be cancelled. Comments should be directed to the following:

Superintendent, Aids to Navigation
Canadian Coast Guard
P.O. Box 5667
250 Southside Road
St. John’s, NL A1C 5X1
Telephone: (709) 552-6456
Email: renee.pope@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Any objections raised must state the facts on which they are based and should include supporting information on safety, commerce and public benefit.

(N2019-098)