Transport Publication - TP 15180 E
2.1 Submission for Approval of Plans and Data
2.1.1 Tugs ≤ 15 GT
2.1.1.1 Although some regulations require plan approval for certain provisions without stating any lower size limits, there is no mandatory Transport Canada plan approval for tugs of not more than 15 gross tonnage that are not required to be certificated as per the Vessel Certificate Regulations. The owner is, however, responsible to prepare all the documentation required by the regulations and to make this documentation available on request to any person or organization authorized under the Act to carry out inspections.
2.1.2 Tugs > 15 GT
2.1.2.1 The owner of a tug of more than 15 gross tonnage must submit for approval vessel plans and data as set out in the regulations listed below. For vessels delegated under the Delegated Statutory Inspection Program (DSIP see 2.6), the plans must be submitted to the Recognized Organization (RO). For vessels that are not delegated, the submission may be made either to Transport Canada or to a Recognized Organization.
- Hull Inspection Regulations – Schedule VI, Part 3(c)
- Fire Detection and Extinguishing Regulations – Section 7
- Life Saving Equipment Regulations – Section 110
- TP 7301 Stability, Subdivision, and Load Line Standards – Stab 1, 2, and 3
- Marine Machinery Regulations – Section 6
- TP 127 Ships Electrical Standards – Part I, Section 36
2.1.2.2 The local Transport Canada Marine Safety office should be contacted to get details on the regional plan submission process. Contact information is available on the following web site: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/regions.htm
2.2 Vessel Registration
2.2.1 General
2.2.1.1 All non-pleasure vessels must be registered as per section 46 of part 2 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.
2.2.1.2 The following Regulations and Standards apply to registration and tonnage measurement:
- Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations
- TP13340, Standard for The Tonnage Measurement of Vessels (2007)
2.2.1.3 More information on registration and tonnage is available on the following website: http://www.tc.gc.ca/vessel-registry.
2.2.2 Tugs ≤ 15 GT
2.2.2.1 Tugs of not more than 15 gross tonnage may be registered either in the Small Vessel Register or in the Canadian Register of Vessels.
2.2.3 Tugs > 15 GT
2.2.3.1 Tugs of more than 15 gross tonnage must be registered in the Canadian Register of Vessels.
2.3 Vessel Certification
2.3.1 Tugs ≤ 15 GT
2.3.1.1 Tugs of not more than 15 gross tonnage are not issued an inspection certificate.
2.3.2 Tugs > 15 GT
2.3.2.1 All tugs of more than 15 gross tonnage must hold an inspection certificate issued by Transport Canada or one of its Recognized Organizations (see 2.6).
2.3.2.2 The following regulations apply to the certification of tugs of more than 15 gross tonnage:
- Vessel Certificates Regulations, Sections 9 to 11
2.4 Product Approval
2.4.1 All vessels, including vessels not required to hold an inspection certificate, are required to have on board equipment and systems that are approved by Transport Canada. Examples of approved products and systems are:
- Life saving equipment
- Fire safety equipment and systems
- Navigation lights and shapes
- Navigational aids
- Sound signal appliances
- Sewage treatment plants
- Engine and incinerator emissions systems
2.4.2 When a product, equipment or system requires approval, this is specifically stated in the regulations using the words “approve”, “approved” or “approval”.
2.4.3 Some products, equipment or systems may also be approved by a Classification Society, one of the Recognized Organizations (see 2.6) or by a Product Certification Body. When approval by one of these organizations is permitted, it will either be stated directly in the regulations or it will be stated in an agreement between the organization and the Minister made under section 10 of the Act.
2.4.4 The approval process for life-saving appliances and fire safety systems, equipment and products is explained in the following document:
- TP 14612, Procedures for Approval of Life-Saving Appliances and Fire Safety Systems, Equipment and Products
2.4.5 The list of products, equipment and systems approved by Transport Canada is available in the Approved Products Catalogue Index (APCI) available on the following website: http://wwwapps2.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/4/apci-icpa/en/APCI_Main.asp
2.4.6 The list of products, equipment and systems approved by one of the Recognized Organizations is available on their respective website (see section 2.5 of TP 14612). Note that only life-saving appliances and fire safety systems, equipment and products that are listed and that meet the specific conditions stated in the TP14612 may be used on Canadian vessels.
2.5 Inspection
2.5.1 Tugs ≤ 15 GT
2.5.1.1 Although some regulations require inspections for certain provisions without stating any lower size limits, there are no mandatory Transport Canada inspections required for tugs of not more than 15 gross tonnage which are not required to be certified as per the Vessel Certificates Regulations. The owner is however responsible to carry out any inspection required by the regulations to ensure compliance and to keep appropriate records. These records must be made available on request to any person or organization authorized under the Act to carry out inspections.
2.5.1.2 Transport Canada Marine Safety inspectors may conduct random monitoring inspections to verify compliance with the requirements of relevant regulations applicable to tugs of not more than 15 gross tonnage. Non-compliance with the requirements may result in enforcement action by Transport Canada Marine Safety
2.5.2 Tugs > 15 GT
2.5.2.1 The following regulations and standards apply to the inspection of tugs of more than 15 gross tonnage for the purpose of issuing a certificate, and in some cases also state inspection provisions that are the responsibility of the owner, master, crew or a third party:
- Vessel Certificates Regulations, Section 10
- Hull Inspection Regulations
- Life Saving Equipment Regulations, Part III, Section 113
- Fire Detection and Extinguishing Equipment Regulations, Sections 9 to 11
- Marine Machinery Regulations, Part IV of each Schedule for all vessels
- Navigation Safety Regulations, Section 17
- Ship Station (Radio) Technical Regulations, Sections 27, 41, 49 to 51
- Ship Station (Radio) Regulations, Section 17
- Towboat Crew Accommodation Regulations, Section 46 to 49
- Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations, Sections 24(3), 55(6), 92, and 121(3)
- Fire and Boat Drills Regulations, Section 24, 25, 33, 37
- Ships Electrical Standards – TP 127, Part 1, 33 & 34
2.5.2.2 The following regulations may also have inspection provisions specific to some operations:
- Cargo, Fumigation and Tackle Regulations, Section 116, 162
- Classed Ships Inspection Regulations
- Safe Working Practices Regulations, Section 6, 30, 42, 84
- Ships’ Elevator Regulations, Section 4
2.5.2.3 All tugs of more than 15 gross tonnage are subject to a first (initial) inspection before the vessel is put into service and to periodical inspections thereafter. Tugs not over 150 gross tonnage are subject to a periodical inspection every four years. Tugs over 150 gross tonnage are subject to a periodical inspection every year. Refer to section 18 of the Hull Inspection Regulations for the interval between periodic inspections.
2.5.2.4 Tugs of not more than 150 gross tonnage are subject to an underwater inspection at every periodical inspection (four years). Tugs of more than 150 gross tonnage are subject to an underwater inspection at every two, four or five years depending on the area of operation and the age of the vessel. Refer to Schedule I of the Hull Inspection Regulations for the interval between underwater inspections.
2.5.2.5 The fees applicable for these inspections are stated in the specific regulations with the inspection provision or are stated in the following regulations:
- Board of Steamship Inspection Scale of Fees
- Ship Radio Inspection Fees Regulations
2.5.2.6 The Marine Safety service standards for inspections are available on the following web page: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/service-standards-menu.htm
2.5.2.7 In addition to the inspection required to be performed by a Marine Safety Inspector or the Classification Society Surveyor in the case of a delegated vessel (see 2.6), some of the regulations listed above require that the owner, the Master or the crew perform certain inspections and keep appropriate records of these inspections. Additionally certain systems and equipment for which there is no prescribed inspection by regulation must also be periodically verified by the owner to ensure they continue to meet the regulatory requirements.
2.5.2.8 Some regulations include provisions for certain inspections to be made by third parties. Examples are the servicing of liferafts, inspection of portable fire extinguishers and radio installations. Refer to the appropriate inspection provisions of the regulations for more information.
2.5.3 Persons authorized to carry out inspections
2.5.3.1 Transport Canada Marine Safety Inspectors are appointed under section 11 of the Canada Shipping Act 2001. The authority to carry out inspections is established by sections 11, 210 and 211 of the Act.
2.5.3.2 Under section 12 of the Act the Minister may also authorize other persons to carry out inspections. Surveyors of Recognized Organizations (see 2.6) are authorized under this section of the Act. Certain enforcement officers, such as members of the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Sureté du Québec (SQ) are also authorized under section 12 to conduct inspections, other than for construction, on vessels of less than 150 gross tonnage.
2.6 Delegated Statutory Inspection Program (DSIP)
2.6.1 In order to promote an efficient marine transportation system and encourage the harmonization of marine practices, Transport Canada has entered into formal agreements with certain Classification Societies, under the authority of the Act. These agreements cover the delegation of statutory inspection and certification functions and product approvals.
2.6.2 When a Classification Society enters into this type of agreement with Transport Canada, they are known as a Recognized Organization (RO). There are currently five Recognized Organizations in Canada:
- American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
- Bureau Veritas (BV)
- Det Norske Veritas (DNV)
- Germanischer Lloyd (GL)
- Lloyd’s Register (LR)
2.6.3 For more information on the Delegated Statutory Inspection Program, refer to:
2.7 Marine Technical Review Board (MTRB)
2.7.1 The Marine Technical Review Board (MTRB) is established under section 26 of the Act to review applications for equivalencies or exemptions to requirements set out in regulations made under the Act. These applications concern individual Canadian vessels or the issuance of Canadian maritime documents to persons. The MTRB cannot make a decision that affects multiple vessels or classes of vessels.
2.7.2 To apply for an exemption or equivalency through the MTRB, the applicant should first contact the nearest Transport Canada Centre (TCC). A written application should then be submitted, and should contain the proposed alternative explaining its equivalency. A Marine Safety Inspector may contact the applicant to discuss the proposed exemption or equivalency, prior to processing the application.
2.7.3 For more information on the MTRB and its processes, refer to:
2.7.4 To contact the nearest TCC, refer to: