NOTICES TO MARINERS
PUBLICATION
WESTERN EDITION

CANADIAN COAST GUARD PUBLICATION – COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON NOTICES TO MARINERS (NOTMAR) PUBLICATIONS

In an effort to continuously improve the Notices to Mariners publications and to provide the most efficient service possible, the Notices to Mariners team invites all mariners and other interested parties to submit comments and suggestions on possible improvements to its various publications and services at the following email address: Notmar.XNCR@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

CANADIAN HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE – MODIFICATIONS TO THE 2020 CANADIAN TIDE AND CURRENT TABLES VOLUME 5 – JUAN DE FUCA STRAIT AND STRAIT OF GEORGIA

(Recurrent publication of notice *204/20, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Western Edition 02/2020.)

The Canadian Hydrographic Service of the Pacific Region has recently been informed of an error in the 2020 Canadian Tide and Current Tables, Volume 5 - Juan de Fuca Strait and Strait of Georgia, page 123, Table 2, Index no. 7120 – VICTORIA.

Mariners should replace the values for Victoria, Index no. 7120 using the attached Table 2 for page 123:

https://www.notmar.gc.ca/publications/monthly-mensuel/images/ed022020-part1-vol5-p123.pdf

TRANSPORT CANADA – COVID-19 MEASURES, UPDATES AND GUIDANCE

(Recurrent publication of notice *401/20, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Western Edition 04/2020.)

Please refer to the link below for the latest updates to transportation related measures taken by Transport Canada in response to the evolving novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19):

https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/initiatives/covid-19-measures-updates-guidance-tc.html

For travel advice and all other updates, please visit: Canada.ca/coronavirus

BRITISH COLUMBIA COASTAL WATERS – PROTECTION OF THE SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALE

(Recurrent publication of notice *707/20, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Western Edition 07/2020.)

All vessels, including recreational boats and whale watching vessels, have an important role to play in reducing acoustic and physical disturbance. For a second consecutive year, the Government of Canada is implementing an Interim Order for the Protection of the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, including the following mandatory measures:

Approach Distance Prohibition

Vessels are prohibited from approaching any killer whale within 400 metres within Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat and British Columbia coastal waters east of Vancouver Island and south of Campbell River (Cape Mudge) and Malaspina Peninsula (Sarah Point) from June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021.

Details of vessels and persons exempted from the approach distance prohibition are described in Sections 2(2) and 3(2) of the Interim Order.

Interim Sanctuary Zones (ISZ)

Interim Sanctuary Zones create spaces of refuge for the whales on a temporary basis, pending further research into a longer-term approach. The location of these zones is based on scientific knowledge of important foraging areas for Southern Resident killer whales.

From June 1 until November 30, 2020, no vessel traffic or fishing activity is allowed in Interim Sanctuary Zones off the southwest coast of Pender Island, southeast end of Saturna Island and at Swiftsure Bank. Exceptions will be allowed for emergency vessels and vessels engaged in Indigenous food, social and ceremonial fisheries, and additional exceptions apply.

A complete list of vessel exceptions to the Interim Sanctuary Zone prohibitions can be found in Section 4(2) of the Interim Order.

Aids to Navigation

The Canadian Coast Guard has established virtual AIS Aids to Navigation to help delineate the Interim Sanctuary Zones.

6.1.Pender Island

6.2Saturna Island

6.3.Swiftsure Bank

The Canadian Coast Guard is currently testing virtual Automatic Identification System (AIS) aids to navigation (AIS AtoN) in specific areas. These aids notify mariners of an Interim Sanctuary Zone subject to restrictions, per NOTMAR 819(T)/2016.

Each Interim Sanctuary Zone is delimited by virtual AIS AtoNs, which may be displayed on a ship’s navigation equipment, with the proper interface, such as

•Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS);
•Electronic Chart System (ECS);
•RADAR;
•Minimum Keyboard Display (MKD); and
•Electronic Nautical Chart (ENC).

Note: This system is not the primary way we communicate this information.

NAVWARN Broadcasts

The CCG-MCTS issues and publishes NAVWARNs:

•by radio broadcast; and
•online at Canada’s Maritime Information Portal and its Navigational Warnings site.

Mariners must ensure they have accurate and up-to-date information about the protection of the Southern Resident killer whale, as in all applicable NOTMARs and NAVWARNs.

For the Interim Sanctuary Zones and 400 metres approach distance, the NAVWARN that is currently in effect will be provided to vessels subject to the Vessel Traffic Services Zone Regulations.

For those vessels not subject to the above-mentioned regulations, vessel operators are required to monitor broadcasts by the Canadian Coast Guard’s Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) network for the most up to date information. For marine radio frequencies and broadcast times, information may be found in the Radio Aids to Marine Navigation publication.

Compliance and Enforcement

You must comply with the NAVWARNs broadcasted and published by the Canadian Coast Guard related to any Interim Order made pursuant to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, aimed at regulating navigation for the purposes of protecting Southern Resident killer whales.

If you do not comply with instructions in the NAVWARNs or in the Interim Order, you could face:

•administrative monetary penalties up to a maximum of CAN $250,000; and/or
•penal sanctions under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.

If your vessel appears to have entered an Interim Sanctuary Zone or violated the approach distance, Transport Canada Marine Safety inspectors will review all information provided through AIS and other detection methods and may take enforcement action.

If a deviation from the Interim Order restrictions is necessary for safety reasons, the following information must be entered into the bridge logbook:

•Reasons for deviation
•Speed at which vessel is operated
•Latitude and longitude at time of deviation
•Time and duration of deviation
•Master of the vessel shall sign and date the bridge logbook entry

For any deviation, Transport Canada will review and consider reasons such as

•Navigating to ensure vessel safety;
•Weather conditions;
•Force majeure (unforeseeable circumstances); and
•Responding to emergencies.

CANADIAN HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE – CANADIAN TIDE AND CURRENT TABLES – PRINTING TO BE DISCONTINUED

(Recurrent publication of notice *904/20, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Western Edition 09/2020.)

Due to the availability of the Canadian Tide and Current Tables as viewable and printable PDF files on charts.gc.ca for each complete volume and additional information in different formats (predictions, observations in tables, and graphics) on tides.gc.ca, the Canadian Hydrographic Service is permanently discontinuing the printing of all volumes of Canadian Tide and Current Tables starting January 2021.

Advances in technology bring a new era of marine navigation with a focus on digital and electronic products. The Canadian Hydrographic Service is transforming the way it delivers quality data and services to clients, in a timely manner, to support decision-making.

For more information, visit www.charts.gc.ca.

CANADIAN HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE – CHART 1 – PRINTING TO BE DISCONTINUED

(Recurrent publication of notice *905/20, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Western Edition 09/2020.)

Due to the availability of Chart 1: Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms as both viewable and printable PDF files and HTML format on charts.gc.ca, the Canadian Hydrographic Service is permanently discontinuing the printing of Chart 1: Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms starting January 2021.

Advances in technology bring a new era of marine navigation with a focus on digital and electronic products. The Canadian Hydrographic Service is transforming the way it delivers quality data and services to clients, in a timely manner, to support decision-making.

For more information, visit www.charts.gc.ca.

CANADIAN HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE – NOTICES TO MARINERS FOR CHANGES IN BUOY SHAPE

(Recurrent publication of notice *906/20, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Western Edition 09/2020.)

As part of the CHS Digital Transformation and for the sake of economy, CHS will no longer systematically issue Notices to Mariners (NTM) for buoy shape changes only. These changes will, however, be applied to electronic navigation charts (ENCs) where applicable. The paper and raster versions will be updated during the New Edition process.

WEST COAST HAIDA GWAII – TRIAL VOLUNTARY PROTECTION ZONE FOR SHIPPING

(Recurrent publication of notice *1005/20, originally published in the Notices to Mariners Publication - Western Edition 10/2020.)

Trial Voluntary Protection Zone for Shipping, West Coast Haida Gwaii (formerly Queen Charlotte Islands)

Haida Gwaii’s remote location, rugged coastline, variable sea and weather conditions, and rich ecological and cultural heritage make it vulnerable to the potential for pollution from shipping breakdowns and accidents. Increasing the distance vessels travel offshore can increase the amount of time available to address propulsion, steering or other issues, and the likelihood of a towing vessel being able to respond to a vessel that is disabled or drifting. This in turn reduces the risk of grounding and oil spills.

A trial Voluntary Protection Zone for Shipping on the West Coast of Haida Gwaii will be in effect from September 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021. In the Voluntary Protection Zone, commercial vessels of 500 gross tonnage or greater shall observe a minimum distance of 50 nautical miles offshore when transiting along the West Coast of Haida Gwaii with the following exceptions:

•Cruise vessels, to observe a minimum 12 nm distance from shore;

•Vessels transiting between Pacific Northwest ports (Washington, Alaska, BC), to observe a minimum 25 nm distance from shore;
•Tugs and barges (including pushing and towing alongside), no minimum distance; and

•Fishing vessels, no minimum distance.

The Voluntary Protection Zone for Shipping coordinates are:

Vessels are requested to adhere to these distances on a voluntary basis and only when it does not jeopardize the safety of navigation, the vessel, the persons aboard, and the cargo.

(NW-P-1085-20)

*1101CANADIAN HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE – NAUTICAL CHARTS

*1102CANADIAN HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICE – RASTER DIGITAL CHARTS (BSB V3)

*1103TRANSPORT CANADA – SHIP SAFETY BULLETIN #23/2020

A new Ship Safety Bulletin has recently been posted on the Transport Canada website at www.tc.gc.ca/ssb-bsn/.

To view or download this bulletin, please click on the link below:

SSB#23/2020 – New navigation safety regulations
RDIMS#16889859

Sign up for e-Bulletin to receive an e-mail notice each time a new Ship Safety Bulletin is published on our website.

Contact us at marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca or 1-855-859-3123 (Toll Free).

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ADD THE FOLLOWING SECTION:

1.1.3Iridium SafetyCast Service

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) announced the establishment of the Iridium SafetyCast Service as a recognized mobile satellite service in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
Effective October 1^st 2020, an Iridium SafetyCast Service for broadcasting navigational warnings in the English language will be declared to be in an “Initial Operational Capability” (IOC) for Canada’s Arctic NAVAREAs XVII and XVIII.
During the Iridium SafetyCast IOC period, navigational warnings will be broadcast in accordance with the Revised Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Maritime Safety Information Manual on an intermittent and test basis. The IOC period is a test and evaluation stage which is necessary to ensure navigational warnings are processed and promulgated in a timely and appropriate manner. NAVAREAs XVII and XVIII will broadcast Iridium SafetyCast messages to vessels with an approved SafetyCast receiver. On vessels with Iridium GMDSS terminals installed, mariners are advised to check their manufacturer’s operation manuals to obtain information on the setting of their SafetyCast receivers to receive relevant SafetyCast messages.
During this period, the Canadian Coast Guard will not guarantee service availability.
Determination when NAVAREAs XVII and XVIII is ready to establish "Full Operational Capability" (FOC) will come at a later date and will be announced through a subsequent Notice to Mariners.