1.1Some offshore exploration and exploitation work takes place in waters under Canadian jurisdiction (see attached drawing). Such areas of operation have been established on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, on the Scotian Shelf off Nova Scotia and Sable Island, in the Beaufort Sea off the Mackenzie Delta, in Hudson Bay and the Canadian waters of Lake Erie.

1.2Frequently, complaints are received from these exploration or exploitation vessels stating that dangerous situations have developed because passing ships have come much too close to their areas of operation.

1.3The most common complaint is the lack of any response to safety radiotelephone calls transmitted from these vessels to warn approaching ships. Most of these calls are made on the VHF distress, safety and calling frequency Channel 16 (156.8 MHz).

1.4Other means of attracting attention such as the use of a signaling lamp and/or searchlight, the firing of rockets to draw the attention of the approaching ship, and the dispatching of a stand-by vessel to intercept have not always proved to be effective.

1.5Some passing ships have also been observed using offshore exploration and exploitation vessels as a navigational way-point on a trans-oceanic voyage. This is a dangerous practice because it tends to concentrate passing ships at a place where their presence could adversely affect safe navigation.

1.6Most of these waters are noted for their adverse weather conditions. Icebergs, extended periods of reduced visibility and ice coverage make it all the more difficult for passing ships and exploration and exploitation vessels to identify and make contact with each other.

1.7Mariners are reminded when navigating in areas where exploration or exploitation work takes place to:

2.1 (a) A temporary Notice to Mariners is published quarterly. This gives a complete list of the up-to-date positions of every reported offshore exploration and exploitation vessel in waters under Canadian jurisdiction, except on the Great Lakes. These notices are promulgated in Section l of the monthly Notices to Mariners edition numbers 1, 4, 7 and 10. In the event of changes in the position of such vessel(s) a Navigational Warning (NAVWARN), formerly called a Notice to Shipping, will be issued.

    (b)Production Platforms can indicate a permanent offshore structure which significantly affects navigation. These changes are charted by Notice to Mariners or through New Edition of a chart.

2.2On the Great Lakes (presently only in Lake Erie) exploration and exploitation vessels change positions too frequently to warrant being published as a Notice to Mariners. Subsequently, information on their positions is promulgated by Navigational Warning broadcasts. For the positions of all drill barges and exploration or exploitation vessels operating East of Long Point, mariners may also call Seaway Long Point on VHF Channel 11 for the latest information prior to transiting this area.

2.3Selected Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centres (MCTS) also broadcast twice daily:

.1any new Navigational Warning over a 48 hour period; and

.2for five days on the list of active NAVWARNs.

These navigational warnings and the list of active NAVWARNs contain any revision to the position of every reported exploration and exploitation vessel operating in waters under Canadian jurisdiction.

A list of MCTS Centres, the frequencies and times of broadcast can be found in Part 2 of the Canadian Coast Guard publication Radio Aids to Marine Navigation and in the List of Coast Stations and Special Service Stations, published by the International Telecommunication Union.

2.4The United States also broadcast daily NAVAREA IV (Atlantic Ocean) and NAVAREA XII (Pacific Ocean) warnings to shipping which may include reported movement and relocation of exploration and exploitation vessels. All such movements are summarized monthly in section III of the Notices to Mariners published by the United States. It also contains a list by number of all NAVAREA warnings still in effect. The quarterly edition summarizes the details of all NAVAREA warnings still in effect and includes the positions of all reported exploration and exploitation vessels.

2.5Canada broadcast daily NAVAREA XVII and NAVAREA XVIII warnings to ships in Arctic waters which may include reported movement and relocation of exploration and exploitation vessel. These NAVAREA warnings are available on the CCG e-Navigation Maritime Information Portal, Navigational Warning section, located at: e-Navigation Portal.

2.6Mariners are reminded that Section 7 of the Canadian Collision Regulations states that, “Every vessel shall navigate with particular caution where navigation may be difficult or hazardous and, for that purpose, shall comply with any instructions and directions contained in Notices to Mariners and NAVWARNs”^Footnote1 .

3.1In Canadian Waters, Rule 43 of the Collision Regulations establishes safety zones which are 500 meters in all directions from an exploration or exploitation vessel or 50 meters beyond the boundaries of its anchor pattern, whichever area is greater. Ships are prohibited from Navigating within a Safety Zone unless they are specifically exempted. The Regulations permit under certain circumstances the establishment of a larger safety zone.

3.2Navigational warning signals may be used by offshore exploration and exploitation vessels in imminent danger of being rammed, or by stations that consider a ship is in imminent danger of running aground. These navigational warning signals may be displayed or transmitted by International code flags, danger sounds or light signals using Morse code prior to the broadcast of a vital navigational warning. The power of this transmission should, where practicable, be limited to the minimum necessary for reception by ships in the immediate vicinity of the offshore exploration or exploitation vessel or of the land concerned. The navigational warning signal should be immediately followed by a VHF DSC broadcast giving the identity and position of the offshore exploration or exploitation vessel as part of a vital navigational warning to shipping. Stations that consider a ship is in imminent danger of running aground should similarly provide as much identification and position information as possible as part of a vital navigational warning to the endangered vessel.

3.3In Canadian Waters, Rules 41 and 42 of the Collision Regulations states that exploration and exploitation vessels may transmit radar transponder signals if authorized to do so and shall display the appropriate identification panels and lighting in a manner that does not compromise the safety of navigation.