Transport Canada issued a bulletin to inform about new reporting requirements to the Radio Aids to Marine Navigation. On top of the usual reports, a vessel’s master must also contact the nearest Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre (MCTS) to report whether any person or crew member onboard has a serious illness or any COVID-19 symptoms.
This bulletin applies to the owners, operators and masters of vessels that report to the Canadian Coast Guard through the Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre (MCTS) in all of the local zones and offshore systems:
- the Northern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone (NORDREG)
- the Eastern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone (ECAREG)
- the Vessel Traffic Services Offshore (VTS Offshore)
- the Local Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Zones
The master must also send an update to the MCTS if more people onboard start to get sick.
See also: Canada: PSC officers to continue to shed focus on maximum period of seafarers’ service onboard
In addition, masters of vessels transiting in Canadian waters west of the St. Lambert lock on the St. Lawrence River and in Canadian waters of the Great Lakes must report whether any person or crew member on board has a serious illness or any COVID-19 symptoms to the closest MCTS Center or any applicable vessel traffic centre.
Foreign flagged vessels and Canadian Flagged vessels arriving in Canada from international voyages are reminded to inform Transport Canada of any illness when submitting the 96 Hour Pre-arrival Information Report (PAIR) and advising Transport Canada of any illness or change in crew health in accordance with the Special Marine Security Notification 2020-007.
