*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.

*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.

*304/26Strait of Georgia, Central Portion/Partie Centrale – Daybeacon Permanently Established

Reference chart: 3512

The following daybeacon has been permanently established at the following coordinates:

(P2026-015)

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.

Western Region

*311(P)/26Fraser River/Fleuve Fraser, Sand Heads to/à Douglas Island – Range Lights to be Discontinued

Reference chart: 3490

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

Initial publication date: Friday, March 27, 2026
Comment submission deadline: Thursday, June 25, 2026

(P2026-013)

No notices applicable for this edition.

No notices applicable for this edition.