PART I: INTRODUCTION

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1 THE CANADIAN SUPPLEMENT

1.1.1.1 The first edition of the Canadian Supplement to the SOLAS Convention is published in support of the regulatory regime documented in Appendix 1 to the policy Acceptance of an Alternative Regulatory Regime for Inspection, Construction and Safety Equipment. Vessels applying the regulatory regime documented in the above-mentioned policy must comply with the provisions in this supplement.

1.1.1.2 The Canadian Supplement to the SOLAS Convention outlines a set of mandatory Canadian-specific requirements related to SOLAS and associated Codes, Recommendations, Guidelines and Interpretations published in IMO Circulars and Resolutions referenced in this document and the policy. For example, Offshore Supply Vessels are to comply with the OSV Code. As described in the policy, any Regulations, Codes, Recommendations, Guidelines, etc., which are not specifically excluded must be applied to the vessel in question.

1.1.1.3 This document is intended for use by Recognized Organizations, Authorized Representatives, vessel owners and operators, shipyards, and designers. This document is on the construction, equipment and inspection requirements of SOLAS. Accordingly, this Supplement may not be complete and does not cover all regulations; however, additional requirements are incorporated by reference where applicable. This document may change based on ongoing regulatory review work.

1.1.1.4 The Annex provided in this document provides information about regulations that are not replaced by the Supplement, but which affect construction and should be brought to the attention of the above-mentioned persons.

2 APPLICATION

2.1.1.1 This Canadian Supplement to the SOLAS Convention applies to new passenger vessels of more than 24 metres and cargo vessels of more than 500 gross tonnage and to existing passenger vessels of more than 24 meters and cargo vessels of more than 500 gross tonnage transferring to the Canadian Registry.

2.1.1.2 Requests to apply these instruments to smaller vessels will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Footnote 1

3 DEFINITIONS

3.1.1.1 The following definitions are applicable to this Supplement:

1. "Act" means the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.
2. "Cargo vessel" means a vessel that is not a passenger vessel.
3. "IMO" means the International Maritime Organization.
4. "Length" has the same meaning as in section 6 of the Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations.
5. "Load Lines Convention" means the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as modified by the Protocol of 1988.
6. "Minister" means the Minister of Transport.
7. "Near coastal voyage, Class 1" has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Vessel Certificates Regulations.
8. "Near coastal voyage, Class 2" has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Vessel Certificates Regulations.
9. "Near coastal voyage, Class 2, limited" means a voyage:
   1. that is not a sheltered waters voyage,
   2. during which the vessel engaged on the voyage is always within 5 nautical miles from shore in waters contiguous to Canada, the United States (except Hawaii) or Saint Pierre and Miquelon,
   3. during which the maximum distance from the port of call is not more than 7.5 nautical miles, if the voyage starts and ends at the same port of call, and
   4. during which the maximum distance between all ports of call is not more than 15 nautical miles, if the voyage starts and ends at different ports of call.
10. "Passenger vessel" means a vessel that carries more than 12 passengers.
11. "Sheltered waters voyage" has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Vessel Certificates Regulations.
12. "SOLAS" means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, and the Protocol of 1988 relating to the Convention. (SOLAS).
13. "Unlimited voyage" has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Vessel Certificates Regulations.

4 INTERPRETATIONS

4.1.1.1 A vessel is constructed on:

1. The earliest of:
   1. the day on which its keel is laid,
   2. the day on which construction identifiable with a specific vessel begins, and
   3. the day on which assembly of the vessel reaches the lesser of 50 tonnes and one per cent of the estimated mass of all structural material; or
2. In the case of a vessel converted to a passenger vessel, the day on which the conversion begins.

4.1.1.2 Unless stated otherwise, any reference to a document is a reference to the document as amended from time to time.

4.1.1.3 For the purpose of interpreting IMO documents:

1. "Should" is to be read as "must", and
2. "Administration" is to be read as "Minister".

4.1.1.4 Footnotes in documents that are included or referenced by this Canadian Supplement to the SOLAS Convention are to be considered mandatory. Where a footnote in a referenced document includes a reference to another document, this reference is also mandatory, including guidelines, recommendations, requirements and similar matters.

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