*505/23Canadian Hydrographic Service – Magnetic Declination Calculations

(Recurrent publication of notice *505/23, originally published in the Notices to Mariners – Monthly Eastern 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.

*1207/23Canadian Hydrographic Service – Inappropriate Geographical Names Review Process

(Recurrent publication of notice *1207/23, originally published in the Notices to Mariners – Monthly Eastern Edition 12/2023 publication.)

The records of the Canadian Hydrographic Service could contain geographical names that may be considered inappropriate, offensive and derogatory. Geographical naming authorities are in the process of addressing many offensive place names, the review process is underway. For more information, about inappropriate geographical names, please see the following announcement. 

*1001/25Pilot Project – Guidelines for the Transit of Container Vessels up to 310 metres in Length x 40 metres in Beam – Québec–Montréal Segment

(Recurrent publication of notice *1001/25, originally published in the Notices to Mariners – Monthly Eastern Edition 10/2025 publication.)

NOTICE

This notice sets out the conditions under which container ships, with a maximum length of 310 metres and a beam of up to 40 metres, may safely transit the St. Lawrence waterway between Québec and Montréal.

Effective Date: September 30, 2025

Duration: This pilot project remains in effect until further notice or until permanent guidelines are established.

Scope of the Pilot Project

This pilot project applies to container vessels with following dimensions:

Length Overall: Between 300.01 metres and not exceeding 310.0 metres; and,

Moulded Breadth: Equal to or greater than 32.5 metres, not exceeding 40.0 metres.

Application of Notice to Mariners 27A

Notice to Mariners 27A remains applicable, except for the following sections, which are amended or replaced by the directives specified in this pilot project:

Section 2: Meetings in Risk Areas (R)

Section 3: Overtaking in Risk Areas (D)

Section 6: Maneuverability Assessment

Note: Any changes in the status of the vessel (e.g. hull, navigational equipment, propulsion, etc.) must be reported immediately to the Escoumins Marine Communication and Traffic Services Centre (MCTS Escoumins) prior to entering pilotage area.

Should a deficiency occur, it will be analyzed and reviewed by Canadian Coast Guard, Pilotage Authority and Transport Canada to determine steps to resolve the issue. A reauthorization will be required to proceed into pilotage areas as a vessel participating in a pilot project.

Specific Guidelines – Container Ships up to 310 m x 40 m

1. Meetings and Overtaking
All meetings and overtaking are permitted in accordance with Notice 27A for all vessels, except for Wide Beam and Long vessels.

For these vessels, the authorized zones for meeting and overtaking with vessel up to 310 m x 40m will be determined by the expert committee and communicated to MCTS within 48-hours prior to the transit, based on scheduled traffic of other Wide Beam and Long vessels.

2. Transit Safety Conditions and Measures

2.1 Transits will mostly occur during daylight between Québec and Montréal, depending on weather, traffic, and other navigational risk factors.

2.1.1 During hours of darkness, in favourable conditions, passage is allowed for upbound container vessels until Grondines.
2.1.2 The “Good Manoeuvrability” (BM) classification, as defined in Sections 6 and 7 of Notice 27A, cannot be assigned to the vessels covered by this pilot project.

2.2 Minimum engine speed is required when approaching the Québec bridges and the Laviolette Bridge, provided environmental conditions allow.

2.3 Maximum speed over ground between Île-aux-Vaches and Contrecoeur is 9 knots upbound and 11 knots downbound.
2.4 During pilot changeovers at Trois-Rivières, the handover of conduct shall take place, upstream or downstream after the vessel has cleared the Laviolette Bridge, weather conditions permitting.
2.5 At least 30 minutes before passing under the Québec bridges and the Laviolette Bridge, qualified crew members must be stationed:

•In the steering gear room, ready to activate emergency steering systems; and,

•On the forecastle, ready to drop anchors.

Each station must be equipped with independent communication means with the bridge.

2.6 An operational tug with a minimum bollard pull of 40 tonnes must be assigned and available during the vessel’s transit under the Laviolette Bridge. The tug must:

•Be within a 15-nautical-mile radius of the Laviolette Bridge;

•Ready to respond within one hour’s notice

Passage Management Framework

1. Coordination and Follow-up Procedures
Any shipowner or agent planning a transit under this pilot project must notify the Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA) at transit@apl.gc.ca as soon as possible, and at least 10 days in advance.

2. Expert Committee
The expert committee responsible for monitoring this pilot project consists of representatives from:

•Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)
•Corporation of Central St. Lawrence Pilots (CPSLC)
•Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA)
•Montreal Port Authority (MPA)
•Transport Canada (TC)

Roles and Responsibilities:

•Pre-transit assessment: Hold a meeting before each transit to analyze environmental, operational, and safety conditions.
•Transit Planning: Coordinate vessel arrival and ensure measures are implemented.
•Transit monitoring: Oversee and study each transit
•Decision-making: Authorize or postpone passage based on observed conditions and evaluated risks.

3. Operational Flexibility

The expert committee may:

•Ease, reinforce, or modify safety measures based on weather, tides, or other risk factors.

•Place representatives on board for study and verification purposes within the pilot project.

Safety and Responsibility Clause

In applying these guidelines, it is understood that the pilot and bridge team must take into account all navigational hazards, collision risks, and special circumstances, as well as vessel limitations, which may require deviation from these measures to avoid immediate danger.

In such cases of deviation, or in any incident or situation, the pilot must inform the nearest MCTS officer.
The pilot conducting the vessel is responsible to the master for the safety navigation of the vessel.
(Section 38.01(3) of the Pilotage Act)

Pilot Project Progress

As part of this pilot project, safety measures will be continuously monitored and may be progressively adjusted by the expert committee based on:

•Operational experience acquired during transits under varied conditions;
•Results of complementary technical studies;
•Assessment of the potential impact on traffic fluidity; and,
•Recommendations made by the expert committee.

Any adjustment must be submitted to the Standing Committee on Navigational Safety (SCNS) for review and, if required, communicated through additional notices.

Reporting and Data Collection

After each voyage, pilots must submit to the expert committee a detailed report on vessel maneuverability and on meetings that occurred during the passage. MCTS will also submit a transit report.

The Laurentian Pilotage Authority will maintain a consolidated database of all transit and maneuverability reports related to this pilot project.

Contact Information

Laurentian Pilotage Authority
Phone: 514-657-2041 option 2
Email: transit@apl.gc.ca

*1101/25Canadian Hydrographic Service – Electronic Navigational Charts

*1102/25Transport Canada - Ship Safety Bulletins #15/2025 and #16/2025

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#15/2025 – Mandatory fatigue management training

SSB#16/2025 – 2025 VHF marine radio channel requirements during the VHF Data Exchange System transition

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).

*1103/25Rivière des Prairies – Daybeacons Repositioned

Reference chart: 1509

The following daybeacons have been repositioned to the following coordinates:

(Q2025-082, 083)

*1104/25Port Severn to/à Parry Sound – Unlit Buoys Permanently Established

Reference chart: 2202

The following unlit buoys have been permanently established at the following coordinates:

(D2025-026 to 028)

*1105/25Byng Inlet to/à Killarney – Unlit Buoy Repositioned

Reference chart: 2204

The following unlit buoy has been repositioned at the following coordinates:

(D2025-029)

*1106/25Sandpoint Island to/aux Anchor Islands – Unlit Buoy Permanently Established

Reference chart: 6109

The following unlit buoy has been permanently established at the following coordinates:

(D2025-025)

*1107/25Amundsen Gulf – Daybeacon Repositioned

Reference chart: 7621

The following daybeacon has been repositioned to the following coordinates:

(A2025-052)

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.

Atlantic Region

*1108(P)/25Strait of Belle Isle / Détroit de Belle Isle – Aid to Navigation to be Discontinued

Reference chart: 4020

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

Initial publication date: Friday, November 28, 2025
Comment submission deadline: Thursday, February 26, 2026

(N2025-037)

No notices applicable for this edition.

No notices applicable for this edition.

*1109(T)/25Portage-du-Fort à/to Île Marcotte – Aids to Navigation Unlit

Reference chart: 1552, 1553

The following aid to navigation is currently unlit:

(NW-C-1381-22)

*1110(T)/25Lake Ontario/Lac Ontario (Western Portion/Partie Ouest) – Marine Works

Reference: Notice 815(T)/25 is cancelled.

Reference chart: 2077
Construction operations taking place daily 24 hours a day until September 30, 2026 at the Toronto Hunt course. Dredges, barges, tug boats, construction equipment and sedimentation control structures will be on scene.

(NW-C-3380-25)

*1111(T)/25Toronto Harbour – Obstruction : Turbidity Curtain

Reference chart: 2085

Lit turbidity curtains installed on both sides of the sewer outflow pipes.

(NW-C-3420-24)

No notices applicable for this edition.

*1114(P)/25Canadian Coast Guard Publication – New Edition of the List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals Publication

The Canadian Coast Guard advises that a new edition of the List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals publication will be published on January 30, 2026.
This new edition will introduce several improvements, most notably the addition of a dedicated Arctic Coast volume, aimed at providing a comprehensive coverage of the Canadian Arctic.

The 2026 edition will supersede the 2009 edition, which, since its initial publication, has been kept up to date through monthly corrections.