Issue: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
For immediate dissemination
Purpose
This Marine Security Notification (MSN) provides an update to MSN #2021-005 issued on May 11, 2021, which is hereby rescinded.
Transport Canada (TC) continues to monitor the evolving public health threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), both internationally and nationally, with a view to mitigating its effect on Canada’s maritime transportation system. This MSN provides guidance and direction to SOLAS and non-SOLAS vessels entering and operating in Canadian waters, regarding the reporting of any person presenting symptoms of COVID-19 or has received a positive COVID-19 test result.
Direction and Guidance
As per the Quarantine Act, “as soon as possible prior to arrival of a vessel at its destination in Canada, the vessel operator must inform a quarantine officer, or cause a quarantine officer to be informed if any person, cargo or other things on board the conveyance could cause the spreading of a communicable disease [including COVID-19]”.
Informing a quarantine officer must occur as soon as possible, including through any complementary processes which can facilitate contact between vessels and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
The Government of Canada has established two separate streams for reporting onboard illness: one stream for commercial vessels transporting cargo and goods entering and operating in Canadian waters; and another stream for cruise vessels entering and operating in Canadian waters. These processes are outlined below, further information can be found by following the provided links.
Process for Commercial Vessels Engaged in the Conveyance of Cargo & Goods:
- If you are a vessel more than 24 hours from entering Canadian waters
- Please report the presence of suspected COVID-19 cases immediately to Transport Canada following the submission of your Pre-Arrival Information Report.
- If you are a vessel 24 hours or less entering Canadian waters
- Please report the presence of suspected COVID-19 cases immediately to the nearest Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre (as outlined in section 3.5 and 3.8 of the Radio Aids to Marine Navigation) and Transport Canada.
- If you are a vessel arriving at a Canadian port or marine facility
- Please report presence of suspected COVID-19 cases immediately to Canada Border Services Agency and Transport Canada.
- If you are a vessel operating in Canadian waters and have cleared Canadian Customs (if necessary) OR if you are on a domestic voyage
- Please report suspected COVID-19 cases as soon as possible to the nearest Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre
- If you are a vessel operating in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway
- Please report presence of suspected COVID-19 cases as soon as possible to nearest Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre or any applicable vessel traffic centre.
- If entering Canada from U.S. waters you must also inform Canada Border Services Agency by submitting a report with your Pre-Arrival Notification (PAN)
Process for Cruise Vessels:
Cruise ships entering or operating in Canada must abide by the conditions and instructions established by the Order in Council Minimizing the Risk Of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order (Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations) as well as those set out in Interim Order No. 3 Respecting Vessel Restrictions and Vaccination Requirements Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the requirements established by its subordinate Ship Safety Bulletins.
- If you are a cruise vessel entering Canadian Waters you must submit a Maritime Declaration of Health
- Authorized Representatives should be aware that the Public Health Agency of Canada requires Authorized Representatives of Canadian vessels operating anywhere or foreign vessels operating in Canadian waters to submit the following:
- A Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) within 48 to 24 hours before entering Canadian waters or at last international port (if less than 24 hours away from Canadian waters).
- An Annex A report on COVID-19 cases on board is to be initially submitted at the same time as the MDH, even if there are no cases on board, and resubmitted as required by the Quarantine Officer. If there are confirmed cases on board, the Annex A Case Reporting Form must be completed and attached to the Annex A submission.
- An Annex B report on other communicable diseases to be submitted as outlined in the Quarantine Act section 34 (2) (a). The Annex B Case Reporting Form must be completed and attached to the Annex B submission.
- Annex A Case Reporting Forms and Annex B Case reporting forms were shared with Industry via email from the CMAC Secretariat on May 5, 2022. If you need to request a copy of the forms please contact CNS/SNC at the following email: cns-snc@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
- Guidance documents for how use the Maritime Declaration of Health can be found at this link.
- Report on Passengers and Crew
- Additionally, an authorized representative of a Canadian cruise ship or a foreign cruise ship operating in Canadian waters, must provide to the Minister a report in accordance with Ship Safety Bulletin 18/21 and your Ship to Shore Checklist
Contact Information:
Refer to Radio aids to Marine Navigation (RAMN) for Marine Communications and Traffic Centre contacts
Transport Canada
On the Pacific Coast, foreign flagged vessels and Canadian Flagged vessels arriving in Canada from international voyages are requested to continue the established, complementary process by advising the Marine Security Operations Centre (MSOC) West of any illness when submitting the 96 Hour Pre-arrival Information Report (PAIR), and advising MSOC-W of any illness or change in crew health while the vessel remains in the waters of British Columbia.
Marine Security Operations Centre West - Transport Canada
MARSECW@tc.gc.ca
1-250-363-4850
On the Atlantic Coast, foreign flagged vessels and Canadian flagged vessels arriving in Canada from international voyages are requested to continue the established, complementary process by advising MSOC East (MSOC-E) of any illness when submitting the 96 Hour Pre-arrival Information Report (PAIR), and advising MSOC-E of any illness or change in crew health while the vessel remains in Canada’s Eastern Waters.
Marine Security Operations Centre East - Transport Canada
marsece@tc.gc.ca
1-902-427-8003
Further Information and Resources:
For more information, guidance, and links to relevant interim orders, ship safety bulletins and other COVID-19 related resources please consult the COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance for marine transportation issued by Transport Canada.