*505/23Canadian 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 the Magnetic Declination Estimated Value website. 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 Western 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. 

*208/24West Coast Haida Gwaii – Voluntary Protection Zone for Shipping

(Recurrent publication of notice *208/24, originally published in the Notices to Mariners – Monthly Western Edition 02/2024 publication.)

Reference: Notice *1105/21 is cancelled.

Voluntary Protection Zone for Shipping, western shore of 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 in distress or drifting. This in turn reduces the risk of grounding and oil spills.

A Voluntary Protection Zone for Shipping on the western shore of Haida Gwaii is currently in effect. In the Voluntary Protection Zone, commercial vessels of 500 gross tonnage or greater are requested to observe a minimum distance of 50 nautical miles from the western shore of Haida Gwaii with the following exemptions:

Exemptions from requested 50 nm distance:

•Cruise vessels, which are asked to observe a minimum 12 nm distance from shore;
•Vessels transiting from Alaska to British Columbia or Washington State, or vice versa, through the Voluntary Protection Zone are asked to observe a distance of at least 25 nm from shore
•No minimum distance is requested for tugs and barges (including pushing and towing alongside) or vessels engaged in commercial fishing.

•Vessels to which this bulletin applies are not required to observe requested minimum distances if doing so may compromise navigational, vessel, passenger or cargo safety.

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 onboard, and the cargo.

*1105/24Transport Canada – British Columbia North Coast Waterway Management Guidelines

(Recurrent publication of notice *1105/24, originally published in the Notices to Mariners – Monthly Western Edition 11/2024 publication.)

Reference: Notice *1004/23 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 British Columbia North Coast Waterway Management Guidelines.
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.

*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).

*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.

No notices applicable for this edition.

*1112(T)/25Halibut Bank to/à Ballenas Channel – Waterway Information – ODAS Buoy

Reference chart: 3456
An ODAS buoy has been deployed north of Ballenas Islands at 49° 21.212'N 124° 09.737'W displaying
Fl (Y) 5 20s.

(NW-P-1483-25)

Western Region

*1113(P)/25Laredo Channel and/et Laredo Inlet – Unlit Buoy to be Replaced by Virtual AIS AtoN

Reference chart: 3981

The Canadian Coast Guard proposes to permanently replace the following unlit buoy by a virtual AIS AtoN:

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

(P2025-063)

*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.