Overview
Transport Canada (TC) is responsible for overseeing the safety of vessels in Canada. As part of our work promoting safety at sea under the Oceans Protection Plan, we’re reviewing how we oversee domestic commercial vessels.
We held an online consultation from October 15, 2024, to February 13, 2025, to collect feedback on the existing process for overseeing small vessels in Canada and get input on how to best modernize our approach in this area. We received 15 comments, and this report summarizes the feedback from this consultation.
The consultation focused on 2 questions:
- Do people feel TC is doing enough to address the risks that vessels can pose to people and the environment, and
- How can TC improve how we oversee small vessel safety
The feedback we received is grouped by theme below.
Key themes
Small vessel inspections
Some respondents felt that there’s a gap in the inspection regime for small vessels, especially those under 15 gross tonnage and suggested that TC inspect more of these vessels. Concerns were raised about these vessels, including “Fat Forty” fishing boats that are built just below the inspection threshold to avoid regulatory oversight, which respondents felt leads to vessels being non-compliant with TC’s requirements.
There were concerns with the ability of small operators to maintain their equipment without regular inspections. Some argued that all commercial vessels should be inspected, regardless of size.
The idea of shifting from size-based to risk-based inspections was proposed, with a respondent noting that accidents on small passenger vessels could be more serious than those on work boats. They also noted that small tugs can pose significant risks when towing large barges in congested waterways. Fishing vessels, which have higher accident and death rates, were highlighted as an area that needs better risk management. One respondent stated that the current system doesn’t deal with these risks well because it focusses on a vessel’s size rather than the perceived associated risk.
There was skepticism about outsourcing some parts of inspections to private surveyors. Some believe this practice is more about saving money than improving safety, and that these types of inspections could affect the integrity of oversight.
Modernizing inspections
Some respondents stressed that uninspected vessels are problematic and that solving this issue should be prioritized. They recommended making inspections mandatory for all commercial vessels, regardless of size.
One respondent supported using third-parties or private companies to help with inspections. On the other hand, some respondents questioned the idea of involving the private sector in the inspection process and had concerns about how it could affect the ability of small businesses to be competitive. There was also a call for more transparency around outsourcing inspections, including clear metrics to justify contracting decisions.
Some submissions referenced that TC could update the inspection process to be more efficient. Suggestions included:
- using drones
- using digital tools, like mobile applications
- using interactive inspection checklists with guidance on security requirements, and
- revising internal systems to make sure stakeholder information is updated regularly
One respondent noted that equipping inspectors with mobile applications and digital checklists could make them more efficient. They also noted that using drones could lead to more thorough, faster, and safer inspections in remote areas, and that a central inspection database could help track inspection outcomes, flag repeated issues, and help us prioritize resources based on data.
One respondent recommended that we set-up an inspection feedback process. This would help us evaluate how well the inspection process worked, the tools we used, and the interventions throughout the inspection process. It was also suggested that TC should collaborate with provincial, municipal, and private inspectors to share workloads and allow for more oversight. Respondents also emphasized the need to standardize inspections across all provinces to eliminate inconsistencies.
Risk-based criteria
One submission noted a preference for making use of risk-based criteria to determine how often a vessel is inspected, rather than a vessel’s size. They also noted that switching from a size-based to a risk-based inspection model would better capture high-risk operations, ensuring vessels with operational hazards receive proper oversight.
One respondent suggested that using a standard method, as well as an issue (non-compliance) tracking system, could help TC focus its energy on the most impactful areas – higher risk vessels.
Communication, education, and training
Some respondents emphasized the need for better education and training for small vessel operators. They felt that small vessels frequently lack proper equipment and that those onboard often don’t have the necessary training. Respondents felt that TC should review how we educate, cooperate, share materials, and reach out. They also suggested that we be more proactive with small vessel operators to help them keep their equipment in good shape and meet safety standards.
One suggestion was for TC to offer mandatory refresher courses every 2 to 3 years—much like first-aid certification—which could be an effective way of reinforcing safety and promoting a safety-first culture. Simple tools like visual reminders and checklists onboard vessels are a straightforward way to help crews maintain awareness of safety practices, stay alert, and be informed.
Respondents also highlighted the need for easier and more accessible communication with inspectors. Suggestions included creating dedicated phone lines, email addresses, or online portals with guaranteed response times to ensure that inspectors can provide timely guidance.
They indicated that making it easier for operators, dealers, and repair professionals to get help would greatly improve the industry’s ability to understand and follow safety standards.
Summary
Enhancing safety education and training, inspecting more smaller vessels, adopting risk-based inspection criteria, and improving communication with the commercial small vessel community were seen as key steps to improving small vessel safety.