On this page
- Policy objective
- Policy statement
- Scope
- Authority
- Responsibility
- Related documents
- Background
- Definitions
- Date of application
- Date for review
- RDIMS Reference
- Keywords
1 Policy objective
1.1 This policy sets a risk-based oversight framework for all Canadian small vessel manufacturers and importers who are subject to Part 7, 8 and 9 of the Small Vessel Regulations (SVR).
2 Policy statement
2.1 This policy will establish a risk-based approach to small vessel manufacturer and importer monitoring to help support continuous compliance and improve safety by ensuring vessels sold in Canada comply with the applicable construction requirements.
2.2 This policy will provide Transport Canada’s Marine Safety and Security branch with additional tools to help small vessel manufacturers and importers follow Canadian regulations. This will supplement the manufacturer and importers declaration of conformity and the branch’s administrative review process.
2.3 Conducting oversight of small vessel manufacturers and importers at an early stage, will diminish the amount of oversight required after the sale of small vessels to end users.
2.4 Through on-site education and inspections, Transport Canada Boating Safety Officers and Marine Safety Inspectors will explain the Small Vessel Manufacturers and Importers Compliance Program and how it can help manufacturers and importers comply with Canadian regulations.
3 Scope
3.1 This policy applies to pleasure craft of not more than 24 m in length and non-pleasure craft of not more than 15 gross tonnage and design to carry not more than 12 passengers, manufactured, built, rebuilt or imported for use in Canada.
4 Authority
4.1 This policy falls under the administrative authority of the Director General of Marine Safety and Security.
4.2 The Marine Safety and Security Executive committee has approved this policy for general application.
4.3 The Executive Director of Domestic Vessel Regulatory Oversight is the functional authority.
4.4 The Manager of Small and Fishing Vessels Design and Construction Standards (AMSDS) is the national Office of Primary Interest (OPI).
5 Responsibility
5.1 The Director of Domestic Vessel Regulatory Oversight must make sure this policy is developed, approved, updated and improved (as needed).
5.2 The Small and Fishing Vessels Design and Construction Standards (AMSDS) group will develop and manage the program framework that will support this policy.
5.3 The Regional Directors of Marine Safety and Security will conduct the activities that support this policy in line with approved business practices and performance targets.
5.4 Please address your questions or comments to:
Manager, Small and Fishing Vessels Design and Construction Standards (AMSDS)
Transport Canada, Marine Safety and Security
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5
Phone: 1-613-990-5990
Email: declaration@tc.gc.ca
6 Related documents
6.3 Construction Standards for Small Vessels (TP 1332)
6.4 Policy – Acceptance of Alternative Construction Requirements for Small Vessels
7 Background
7.1 The Marine Safety and Security “Small Vessel Manufacturers and Importers Compliance Program” (SVMICP) oversees the requirements for small vessel manufacturers and importers to verify that vessels are built in compliance with the Canadian construction requirements, which are set in Parts 7, 8 and 9 of the Small Vessel Regulations (SVR), made pursuant to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.
7.2 Part 7 of the SVR includes the construction requirements and incorporates by reference, the Construction Standards for Small Vessels (TP 1332).
7.3 Part 8 of the SVR requires any Canadian that manufactures, builds or imports a power-driven vessel for sale in Canada to make sure that:
- all small vessels are sold with a Canadian compliance notice; and
- a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is prepared for each model or custom vessel and submitted to Transport Canada. A copy of the DoC must also be provided to the reseller or end user upon initial transfer of ownership of each vessel.
7.4 Part 9 of the SVR requires Canadian manufacturers, builders or importers of small vessels, either power-driven or human-powered, to ensure that each vessel is marked with a unique Hull Serial Number.
7.5 The objective of the SVMICP is to have vessel compliance established before being sold on the Canadian market. Through the SVMICP program, Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security helps small vessel manufacturers and importers meet their responsibilities under the SVR.
7.6 To demonstrate compliance, small vessel manufacturers and importers must:
- submit to TC a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for each vessel model;
- attach a compliance notice to each vessel; and
- send an annual production report to Transport Canada
7.7 Additionally, a Manufacturer’s Identification Code (MIC) must be obtained from or registered with Transport Canada and a Hull Identification Number (HIN) must be marked on the vessel.
8 Definitions
8.1 The term “pleasure craft” is defined in section 2 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.
9 Date of application
9.1 This policy comes into effect on September 28, 2021.
10 Date for review
10.1 This policy will be reviewed 1 year after it comes into effect, and then at least every 5 years after.
11 RDIMS Reference
11.1 The English version of this document is saved in RDIMS under reference number 15859477. The applied naming convention is PUBLICATION – TP 13585 - POLICY – OVERSIGHT OF SMALL VESSEL MANUFACTURERS AND IMPORTERS.
11.2 La version française du présent document est dans le SGDDI et porte le numéro de référence 17782202. La règle d'affectation des noms est PUBLICATION – TP 13585 – POLITIQUE – SURVEILLANCE DES FABRICANTS ET IMPORTATEURS DE PETITS BÂTIMENTS.
11.3 This is the first approved and finalized revision of the English version of this document.
12 Keywords
- Non-pleasure craft
- Pleasure craft
- Monitoring
- Manufacturer
- Importer
- Compliance
