23General Information on Pilotage Service

1Pilotage messages - General

Masters of vessels requiring a pilot are reminded that a request for such service must be submitted in sufficient time to enable the pilot to meet the vessel.
The message should include the following:

(a)The time in UTC that the pilot is required on board.

(b)The place the vessel is to be boarded.
(c)The duty to be performed.
(d)Whether or not the vessel has been granted radio pratique.

The minimum notice of a vessel's ETA at the pilot stations that is required to avoid delay in obtaining a pilot is shown below for various pilotage districts. ETA's must be revised if necessary prior to arrival at the pilotage station.

2Pilot messages - Great Lakes

(a)St. Lambert Lock to Lake Michigan

Masters of vessels requiring pilotage service in the waters of the Great Lakes must give at least 12 hours notice to Pilot Offices to avoid any delay in obtaining a pilot.

This message, giving ship's name, draught, ETA or ETD, and destination must be confirmed at least 4 hours prior to arrival at a pilot station or departure from a port, and can be relayed via any Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centre.

(b)Sault Ste. Marie and Lake Superior

Vessels westbound desiring a pilot must give at least 12 hours notice by message addressed to pilots Detour via any MCTS Centre. A confirmation of the ETA and order for a pilot at Detour must be sent by radio at least 4 hours prior to arrival at the pilot station.

Vessels eastbound must give at least 12 hours notice of their ETA at Gros Cap light for pilot requirements, by message addressed to pilots Detour via Sarnia MCTS A confirmation of the ETA and order for a pilot at Gros Cap light must be sent by radio at least 4 hours prior to arrival at the pilot station.

3Pilot messages - Gulf and River St. Lawrence

(Extract from the Laurentian Pilotage Authority Regulations.)

Notices of arrival

6(1)The owner, master or agent of a ship that is to arrive in the compulsory pilotage area at the pilot boarding station at Les Escoumins shall

(a)if the ship is arriving from any point east of the Strait of Belle Isle, Cabot Strait or the Strait of Canso

(i)give a first notice of the estimated time of arrival 24 hours before the estimated time of arrival.
(ii)give a second notice of the estimated time of arrival 12 hours before the estimated time of arrival, and
(iii)give a final notice confirming or correcting the estimated time of arrival 6 hours before the estimated time of arrival.

(b)if the ship is arriving from any point west of the Strait of Belle Isle, Cabot Strait or the Strait of Canso

(i)give a first notice of the estimated time of arrival 12 hours before the estimated time of arrival, and
(ii)give a final notice confirming or correcting the estimated time of arrival 6 hours before the estimated time of arrival.

(2)The notices referred to in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b) shall be given by calling the pilot dispatch center of the Laurentian Pilotage Authority:

E-Mail: pilote-mtl@apl.gc.ca
Fax number: (514) 283-3647

7The owner, master or agent of a ship that is to arrive in the compulsory pilotage area from any point above the entrance to St. Lambert Lock shall give notice of the immediate and ultimate destinations of the ship in the compulsory pilotage area by calling the St. Lawrence Seaway Radio Control when passing lroquois Lock and Beauharnois Lock.

Notices of departure

8The owner, master or agent of a ship that is to depart from a berth in the compulsory pilotage area for any purpose, other than making a movage, shall, by calling the pilot dispatch centre,

(a)give a first notice of its estimated time of departure 12 hours before its estimated time of departure, and
(b)give a final notice confirming or correcting its estimated time of departure at least 4 hours before the estimated time.

Notices of movage

9(1)The owner, master or agent of a ship that is to make a movage shall,

(a)in any harbour within the compulsory pilotage area other than the Harbour of Montreal or the Harbour of Québec,

(i)give a first notice of the estimated time of movage 12 hours before the estimated time of movage, and
(ii)give a final notice confirming or correcting the estimated time of movage 4 hours before the estimated time of movage,

(b)in the Harbour of Montreal or the Harbour of Québec, give a notice of movage 3 hours before the time of movage.

(2)The notices referred to in subsection (1) shall be given by calling the pilot dispatch centre.

Optional Notices

10(1)Notwithstanding sections 8 and 9, the owner, master or agent of a ship that is to depart or make a movage may within 8 hours after having given the first notice referred to in paragraph 8(a) or subparagraph 9(1)(a)(i), give a second notice confirming or correcting the estimated time of departure from or movage in any compulsory pilotage area.

(2)Where a second notice has been given in respect of a ship pursuant to subsection (1), the time of departure or movage of that ship shall not be later than 12 hours from the time that notice was given.

Required Information

11Where the owner, master or agent of a ship gives a notice referred to in subparagraph 6(1)(a)(i) or 6(1)(b)(i), he shall state,

(a)in the case of the first arrival of the ship in the compulsory pilotage area in any calendar year,

(i)the name, nationality, call sign and agent of the ship,
(ii)the length, breadth, moulded depth, deepest draft, speed, deadweight tonnage and the largest net registered tonnage of the ship, and
(iii)the immediate and ultimate destinations of the ship within the compulsory pilotage area, and

(b)in the case of any subsequent arrival, movage or departure of the ship in the compulsory pilotage area in any calendar year,

(i)the name, call sign, deepest draft, the speed of the ship and any changes in the information provided under paragraph (a), and
(ii)the immediate and ultimate destinations of the ship within the compulsory pilotage area.

12Where a ship has on board one or more holders of pilotage certificates who are certificated for the compulsory pilotage area through which the ship is to proceed, the master of the ship shall, each time the ship proceeds through the area, state

(a)the names of the holders of pilotage certificates and the certificate numbers, and
(b)the information specified in subparagraphs 11 (b)(i) and (ii).

13.Where in any case referred to in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, the owner, master or agent of a ship fails without reasonable cause to give the notice required by that section for that case, the Authority is not required to provide that ship with the services of a pilot.

4Pilot messages – East Coast

Notice to obtain pilots for compulsory – Arrivals and Departures.

The Atlantic Pilotage Authority (APA) has established a central dispatch office in Halifax, N.S. All pilot orders for arrival, departure or moves are placed through the Atlantic Pilotage Authority Dispatch Office (APA DISPATCH). Pilots may still be ordered through any Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centre with a clear request to <<Please forward to Atlantic Pilotage Authority Dispatch, Halifax>>. The name of the port where the pilot is required should be clearly identified.

Only masters, owners or agents may order pilots. To avoid delays in obtaining pilots, the master, owner or agent at the designated ports listed below shall advise APA DISPATCH of the estimated time of arrival (ETA), Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), at the pilot boarding station as indicated in columns 4 and 5. Such notice shall be by one of the following means:

With reference to departures and moves, masters, owners or agents should advise APA DISPATCH with the notice as indicated in column 6.

Placing Calls to Dispatch

When calling dispatch it is of great help if the Dispatcher knows at the outset what type of call is coming in such as “a new order” or “a change in an existing order.” To place a new/original order please follow the guideline for information needed as below:

For a new/original order

(1)Port
(2)Vessel Name and Call Sign
(3)Date of Assignment (order date)
(4)Type of Order – e.g. Trip, Move, Trial Trip, etc.
(5)Draught
(6)Length/Breadth/Moulded Depth
(7)GRT
(8)Air Draught (if applicable)
(9)Certificate Number (if applicable)
(10)Agent Name
(11)Caller’s Name
(12)Taxes: Refer to page 1.5
(13)Special Instructions
(14)Hazards/Dangerous Cargo. e.g. H₂S gas concentrations present for tanker vessels.

For a confirmation of order

(1)Port
(2)Vessel Name
(3)Date and Time of Assignment
(4)Dispatcher will reconfirm original order information
(5)Caller’s name

For a change of order

(1)Port
(2)Vessel Call Sign
(3)Date of Original Assignment
(4)Agent
(5)Caller’s Name
(6)Information to be Changed

Facsimile / E-Mail

A facsimile form will be provided to all agents for the convenience of faxing information correctly. This form can also be used to place an order via E-Mail. Please refer to APA web page for a copy of the form.

TAX DECLARATION DOCUMENT

(Sample Letter)

Atlantic Pilotage Authority
TD Tower, Suite 1801
1791 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K9

Dear Sir/Madam:

Please be advised we, __________________ act in the capacity of shipping agents and hereby declare all our Principals for which we request services as Agents only, are non-resident, non-registrants. We, therefore, respectfully request all charges for all services rendered to the vessels of our Principals be zero rated. Should the status of any of our Principals change in the future, we undertake to inform you of the same so the appropriate tax rate may be applied.

Yours truly,

Pilot Order Form

To: ATLANTIC PILOTAGE AUTHORITY From:

EMAIL: Date:

Fax to email: 1-866-774-2477 Fax: 1-877-745-3477

Dispatch Phone direct: 1-877-272-3477 Web Site: https://www.atlanticpilotage.com

Port: _______________

Reason for pilot order: Arrival: _____ Departure: _____ Move: _____

Date required: ____________________ Time required: _____________

Vessel Name: ____________________ Number of Tugs: ___________

IMO number: ____________________ Draft: ____________________

Air Draft: __________________ Masters Name: _________________

Hazards to Report:

H₂S or other hazardous gases: ___________________ PPM: ___________________________

Mechanical Issues: ______________________________________________________________

Illnesses/ Quarantines: __________________________________________________________

Other: ________________________________________________________________________

Vessel Specs:

Length Overall: __________ Breadth: __________ Moulded Depth: __________

Docking Orders:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Agent Information:

Agent representing vessel: ______________ Phone: ____________

Local representative: ______________________

Agent to receive Invoicing / Billing: ________________________________________________

5Pilotage messages West Coast, British Columbia

Pilot boarding stations

1There shall be a pilot boarding station

(a) off Victoria, B.C., adjacent to the VH buoy off Brotchie Ledge;
(b)off Cape Beale, at the entrance to Trevor Channel in Barkely Sound (no pilot boat, helicopter by arrangement);
(c)off Triple Island, near Prince Rupert;
(d)off Pine Island, near Port Hardy,
(e)off Sand Heads, at the mouth of the Fraser River, for Area 1 pilot transfers; and
(f)at any other point or place in the region that the Authority considers necessary to ensure a safe and efficient pilotage service.

Notice to obtain pilots - Arrivals

2(1)The master, owner or agent of a ship that is to arrive in a compulsory pilotage area shall notify the Authority of the estimated time of arrival, universal co-ordinated time (UTC), of the ship at the pilot boarding station

(a)referred to in paragraph 1(a) at least 12 hours prior to arrival, and shall confirm or correct the estimated time of arrival not less than 4 hours prior to arrival;
(b)referred to in paragraph 1(b) at least 48 hours prior to arrival, and shall confirm or correct the estimated time of arrival not less than 12 hours prior to arrival;
(c)referred to in paragraph 1(c) at least 48 hours prior to arrival, and shall confirm or correct the estimated time of arrival not less than 12 hours prior to arrival; and
(d)designated pursuant to paragraph 1(d) at least 48 hours prior to arrival, and shall confirm or correct the estimated time of arrival not less than 12 hours prior to arrival.
(e)referred to in paragraph (e) at least 48 hours prior to arrival, and shall confirm or correct the estimated time of arrival not less than 12 hours prior to arrival.

Notice to obtain pilots - Departures and movages

(2)The master, owner or agent of a ship that is subject to compulsory pilotage - shall notify the Authority in advance of the local time that a pilot is required to be on board the ship that is to go:

(a)from one place in a compulsory pilotage area to any other place in a compulsory pilotage area;
(b)from one place in a compulsory pilotage area to a place outside a compulsory pilotage area; or
(c)from a place outside a compulsory pilotage area to any other place within a compulsory pilotage area.

2(1)The notices referred to in sub-section 2(1) shall be addressed Pilots Victoria, including the required information sent via any coast station by radiotelephone or other appropriate means or shall be given by calling a pilot dispatch centre.

2(2)The notice referred to in paragraph 2(2)(a) shall be given by calling a pilot dispatch centre as follows:

(a)The master, owner or agent of a ship departing from a place where pilotage service is required shall place a Notice of Requirement in Local Time with the Pilotage Authority at least 12 hours before the pilot or pilots are required to be on board the transportation to the ship specified in the Pilotage Order, or, at least 12 hours before the pilot or pilots are required to be on board the ship, if berthed at a place where pilots are based.
(b)The Pilot Order time specified in a Notice of Requirement may be delayed once, and/or cancelled, without payment of cancellation fees if prior notice of delay or cancellation is received by the Authority not less than:

(i)6 hours prior to transportation in the case of long jobs, i.e. pilotage assignments involving ports, places or harbours on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, and ports, places or harbours north of 50° North Latitude, excluding Port Alberni, Campbell River, Duncan Bay, Prince Rupert and Kitimat;
(ii)4 hours in the case of Roberts Bank, English Bay, Fraser River Ports, all anchorages and berths east of Berry Point and airports at Vancouver, Victoria and Cassidy.
(iii)3 hours in all other cases.

(3)The Authority may agree to waive the 12 hour Notice of Requirement providing the master, owner or agent gives reasonable cause for not complying.

(4) (a)All Notices of Requirement scheduled between the hours of 1200 and 1700 shall be confirmed, delayed or cancelled by 0900 hours daily - any subsequent delays or cancellations will incur the appropriate detention or cancellation fees.

(b)All Notices of Requirement scheduled between the hours of 1700 and 2100 shall be confirmed, delayed or cancelled by 1200 hours daily - any subsequent delays or cancellations will incur the appropriate detention or cancellation fees.
(c)Agents are requested to make their best efforts to ensure that orders scheduled to commence during the period from 2000 hrs to 1059 hrs the following morning shall be placed prior to 1730 hrs daily.

(5)In cases of emergency involving danger to life, limb or property, the Authority shall waive any Notice of Requirement and dispatch the first available pilot to cover the emergency.

Required information in Notice

4A notice under section 2 may be verbal or, when required by the Authority, shall be in writing and shall state

(a)the pilotage service to be performed; and
(b)the name, nationality, length, breadth, gross tonnage and deepest draft of the ship.

6Pilot boarding facilities - Pertaining to foreign flag vessels - Canadian territorial waters

-East Coast Pilot Boarding Stations
-St. Lawrence River (Les Escoumins to St. Lambert) Pilot Boarding Stations
-Great Lakes Pilot Boarding Stations from St. Lambert Westward
-West Coast Pilot Boarding Stations

Under the Section 119 of Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020 ships using stations pilot boarding within the above regions are required to comply with Regulation 23 of Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 as well as the requirements of the Annex to the IMO Resolution A.1045 (27), as amended periodically. The IMO Resolution A.889 (21) has been replaced by IMO Resolution A.1045 (27).

Authority: Transport Canada