*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

*301/26Canadian Hydrographic Service – Electronic Navigational Charts

*302/26Canadian Hydrographic Service – Raster Digital Charts (BSB V3)

*303/26Canadian Coast Guard Publication - Amendments to the Notices to Mariners Annual Edition 2026 - Section A5, Notice 10: Routeing of Ships

Page 1
ADD AS FOLLOWS:

2.1Compulsory Canadian Routeing Systems adopted by IMO

•In the Approaches to Chedabucto Bay

Reference charts: 4013, 4233, 4301, 4321, 4335 and 4374 (Canada)

•In the Bay of Fundy and Approaches

Reference charts: 4010, 4011, 4012, 4116 (Canada)

•In the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its Approaches

Reference charts: 3440, 3461, 3462, 3601, 3602 and 3606 (Canada)

•In Haro Straight and Boundary Pass

Reference charts: 3461, 3462, 3440, 3441 and 3601 (Canada)

Additional information Applicable in the Haro Straits and Boundary Pass

A)Turn Point Special Operating Area
The Turn Point Special Operating Area (SOA) has been established to enhance order and predictability, the efficient and safe movement of goods and services, and to further reduce the risk of accidents with respect to vessels transiting the boundary waters of Haro Strait and Boundary Passage in the vicinity of Turn Point on Stuart Island, Washington.

The Turn Point SOA consists of those Canadian and United States waters contained within a four (4) sided area connected by the following coordinates:

•48°41.324N 123°14.245W (Turn Point Light, LL255/US 19790);
•48°42.400N 123°13.967W;
•48°41.087N 123°17.631W (Arachne Reef Light, LL254.3);

•48°39.732N 123°16.438W (Tom Point Light, LL225).

B)Application

These procedures apply to all Canadian and United States VTS participant vessels within or approaching the Turn Point SOA from Boundary Passage, southbound for Haro Strait; and from Haro Strait, northbound for Boundary Passage or Swanson Channel, however, they do not apply to vessels southbound out of Swanson Channel.

C)Movement Procedures

a)A VTS participant, if towing astern, do so with as short a hawser as safety and good seamanship permits.

b)A VTS participant of 100 metres or more in length (LOA) will make best efforts consistent with safety and industry practices:

1.not to enter the Turn Point SOA when another VTS participant of 100 metres or more in length is already located within the SOA, unless;

i.when following astern a minimum 0.5NM (5 cables) separation is maintained with the vessel ahead,

ii.when overtaking in the SOA with the concurrence of Victoria MCTS that there is no opposing traffic and a CPA of at least 0.5NM (5 cables) is maintained.

iii.if outbound from Boundary Pass and meeting an inbound vessel from Haro Strait already in the SOA, enter only after the outbound vessel is past the vector heading of the inbound vessel engaged in the turn and maintain at least a 0.5NM (5 cables) CPA,
iv.if inbound from Haro Strait and meeting an outbound vessel from Boundary Pass already in the SOA, enter only after the outbound vessel has crossed a bearing line between Turn Point and Arachne Reef and maintain at least a 0.5NM (5 cables) CPA

2. maintain a distance off of Turn Point of at least 0.3 NM (3 cables).

All VTS participants approaching the Turn Point SOA are expected to make safe passing arrangements with other VTS participants at either Monarch Head or Blunden Islet southbound; and Lime Kiln Light (LL222/US19695) or Kellett Bluff Light (LL229/US19720) northbound. These arrangements should be made no later than reaching CIP 6 at Gowlland Point (LL253/US19800) southbound and approximately abeam Danger Shoal Light and Horn Buoy (US19775) northbound.

•In the Strait of Georgia

Reference charts: 3462, 3463, 3492 and 3601 (Canada)

Mariners can obtain most up to date information on charts at Nautical charts and services.

Section 1A: Temporary and Preliminary Notices

Reminder – Comment Period for Active Preliminary Notices

This is a reminder that the comment period is still open for the following active Preliminary notices:

Please refer to the Notices to Mariners - Monthly Summary of Temporary and Preliminary Notices publication for details.

*305/26Burin Peninsula to / à Saint-Pierre – Waterway Information Included in Canadian Sailing Directions

Reference: Notice 719(T)/24 is cancelled (Chart 4625).
Information regarding dangerous shipwrecks sites of the USS Truxtun, near Lawn Point, and the USS Pollux, near Chambers Cove, have been included in the Canadian Sailing Directions booklet ATL 103.

*306/26Larkin Point to / à Cape Anguille– Wharf Construction Completed

Reference: Notice 306(T)/24 is cancelled (Chart 4682).

Wharf demolition and breakwater reconstruction operations are now completed.

No notices applicable for this edition.

*307/26Mouillages et Installations Portuaires/Anchorages and Harbour Installations - Haute Côte-Nord – Wharf Construction Completed

Reference: Notice 310(T)/24 is cancelled (Chart 1226).
Repair works at wharves 1, 2 and 3 of Port-Cartier Harbour are now complete.

*308/26Baie des Chaleurs / Chaleur Bay – Aquaculture Sites Charted

Reference: Notice 317(T)/23 is cancelled (Chart 4486).

The aquaculture sites have been charted on chart 4486.

No notices applicable for this edition.

*309/26Lac des Deux Montagnes – Missing Unlit Buoy Replaced

Reference: Notice 907(T)/21 is cancelled (Chart 1510).
The missing unlit buoy has been replaced.

*310/26Hamilton Harbour – Waterway Information

Reference: Notice 917(T)/23 is cancelled (Chart 2067).

The advanced notice procedures are no longer required when entering and leaving the Hamilton Harbour.

No notices applicable for this edition.

No notices applicable for this edition.

No notices applicable for this edition.