*1105/21West Coast Haida Gwaii – Voluntary Protection Zone for Shipping

(Recurrent publication of notice *1105/21, originally published in the Notices to Mariners – Monthly Western Edition 11/2021 publication.)

Reference: Notice *903/21 is cancelled.

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 Voluntary Protection Zone for Shipping on the West Coast of Haida Gwaii is currently in effect. 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)

*505/23 Canadian Hydrographic Service – Magnetic Declination Calculations

(Recurrent publication of notice *505/23, originally published in the Notices to Mariners – Monthly Western Edition 05/2023 publication.)

Mariners are advised that CHS has adopted the harmonized World Magnetic Model (WMM), as found on the NCEI/NOAA website. Old compass rose declination information on CHS navigational products can be updated using this website: https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/calculators/magcalc.shtml#declination. While the differences in the model declinations are small each year, they can become more significant over a large period of time.

*807/23Canadian Hydrographic Service – Inappropriate Geographical Names Review Process

(Recurrent publication of notice *807/23, originally published in the Notices to Mariners – Monthly Western Edition 08/2023 publication.)

The records of the Canadian Hydrographic Service could contain geographical names that may be considered racist, offensive and derogatory. Geographical naming authorities are in the process of addressing many offensive place names, but the work is still ongoing. For more information, about inappropriate geographical names, please contact chsinfo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

*1004/23Transport Canada – British Columbia North Coast Waterway Management Guidelines

(Recurrent publication of notice *1004/23, originally published in the Notices to Mariners – Monthly Western Edition 10/2023 publication.)

Reference: Notice *905/22 is cancelled.

The North Coast Waterway Management Guidelines are voluntary guidelines that aim to improve safety on the water by reducing conflicts between First Nations’ marine use activities, such as fishing and shoreline harvesting, and commercial vessels on the shipping route between Kitimat and Browning Entrance. The guidelines came into effect on September 1, 2022, and will be reviewed from time to time.

The guidelines apply to all vessels navigating on the route between Kitimat and Browning Entrance, on the north coast of British Columbia. This area includes:

The complete guidelines document is available at the following link:

https://www.notmar.gc.ca/publications/monthly/documents/NorthCoastWaterwayManagementGuidelines_Sept2023.pdf

Nothing in these guidelines replaces or changes how we apply any Canadian or international laws or regulations, including the Collision Regulations. Furthermore, nothing in these guidelines prevents or limits the master or pilot of a ship from making any decisions to protect the vessel, the crew, or the marine environment.

The guidelines include information for:

•all vessels that covers:

-­inshore safety zones
-­routing measures
-­speed reductions
-­guidelines for meeting and passing

-­a special operating area in Wright Sound, and
-­guidelines in case of a mechanical or electrical breakdown

•large commercial ships, including bulk carriers, general cargo vessels, liquid bulk vessels, and passenger vessels
•tugs and barges, and

•vessels operating in First Nations Areas of Concern where you must pay special attention to make sure local community users can transit and use the area safely.

Erratum : Western Edition 10/2023 – Section 1 – General and Safety Information –
Notice *1013/23

Page 9:
AMEND AS FOLLOWS 

*1013/23 Houston Stewart Channel – Daybeacon Repositioned

Reference chart: 3855

The following daybeacon has been repositioned to the following coordinates:

(P2023-069)

*1101/23Canadian Hydrographic Service – Nautical Charts

*1102/23Canadian Hydrographic Service – Electronic Navigational Charts

*1103/23Canadian Hydrographic Service – Raster Digital Charts (BSB V3)

*1104/23Transport Canada – Ship Safety Bulletins #23 and #24/2023

New Ship Safety Bulletins have recently been posted on the Transport Canada website.

To view or download these bulletins, please click on the links below:

SSB#23/2023 – Marine Medical Certificates, Discharge Books & Marine Counter Services
(September 2023)
RDIMS# 19794724

SSB#24/2023 – Recognition of Royal Canadian Navy competencies by Transport Canada
RDIMS# 19859349

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).

Section 1A: Temporary and Preliminary Notices

Reminder – Comment Period for Active Preliminary Notices

No notices applicable for this edition.

No notices applicable for this edition.

No notices applicable for this edition.

No notices applicable for this edition.

Western Region

*1114(P)/23Harbours in Queen Charlotte Islands/Havres dans Îles de la Reine-Charlotte – Paper Chart to be Discontinued

Reference chart: 3811

The Canadian Hydrographic Service proposes to permanently discontinue paper chart 3811 called Harbours in Queen Charlotte Islands/Havres dans Îles de la Reine-Charlotte.
Pacofi Bay, Rockfish Harbour and Thurston Harbour are available on Chart 3807. Port Louis is available as new chart 3813.
Mariners and other interested parties are invited to comment on this action until February 23rd, 2024.
Comments should be directed to the following email address: chsinfo@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.

*1115(P)/23Laredo Sound – Notice of Proposed Changes

Reference chart: 3980

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

Initial publication date: Friday, November 24, 2023
Comment submission deadline: Thursday, February 22, 2024

(P2023-067)