All large fishing vessels are covered by the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and are subject to requirements in the Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations.
Fishing vessels over 150 gross tonnage or 24.4 metres in length are monitored by Transport Canada Marine Safety Inspectors at three stages — before construction, during construction, and after the fishing vessel is operational.
On this page…
- Review of vessel plans before construction
- Inspection of vessel during construction
- Periodic inspection of vessel
- Inspection information
Review of vessel plans before construction
Before starting construction on a large fishing vessel, you must submit the plans noted in Schedule I of the Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations to your local Marine Safety office.
A Marine Safety Inspector will review the plans. The inspector will grant approval if the plans meet the requirements in the Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations and if the inspector believes that the vessel to be constructed will be safe.
Inspection of vessel during construction
During construction of a vessel, you must notify a Marine Safety Inspector at least one week before each of the following:
- beginning framing
- beginning planking or plating
- launching
- doing dock and sea trials
Periodic inspection of vessel
Inspection schedules vary for different parts of a large fishing vessel and its equipment. This includes life-saving equipment, boilers, pipes, steam propulsion engines, air receivers, internal combustion engines, wooden/steel hulls, and so on. The required frequency of each inspection is specified in sections 30–40 of the Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations.
Inspection information
For more information on fishing vessel inspection and services, please contact:
- your local Marine Safety office
- Marine Safety telephone: 1-855-859-3123 or 613-991-3135
- Marine Safety direct email: marinesafety-securitemaritime@tc.gc.ca