File Number: 4203-60
Temporary extension of certain marine security documents and the requirement to conduct intermediate security inspections due to COVID-19.
Purpose
The purpose of this Marine Security Operations Bulletin (MSOB) is to inform stakeholders regulated by the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR) and the Domestic Ferries Security Regulations (DFSR) of the possibility of temporarily extending certain Marine Security Documents, as well as providing a temporary extension to the intermediate security inspection requirement, due to COVID-19 and its effect on Transport Canada's ability to fully conduct oversight activities requiring physical presence.
Background
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and public health authorities of local jurisdiction are leading the response to the current Coronavirus COVID-19 public health event. Transport Canada is supporting the response in the marine transportation mode.
Transport Canada – Marine Security Operations is supporting the promotion of physical distancing efforts to reduce the amount of close personal interactions required on Canadian registered Vessels, Canadian Marine Facilities and Ports to conduct marine security inspections, including intermediate security inspections.
Guidance for marine security documents
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Transport Canada – Marine Security Operations may need to reduce the number of oversight activities relating to the certification of regulated entities. At the discretion of the responsible Transportation Security Inspector, and in consultation with the Stakeholder, Transport Canada may offer a temporary 90-day extension to certain Marine Security Documents if it is determined that it is not operationally feasible to conduct a security inspection due to COVID-19. The Marine Security Documents which may be considered for a 90-day extension include:
- International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC)
- Interim International Ship Security Certificate (IISSC)
- Canadian Vessel Security Certificate (CVSC)
- Interim Canadian Vessel Security Certificate (ICVSC)
- Domestic Ferry Security Certificate (DFSC)
- Interim Domestic Ferry Security Certificate (IDFSC)
- Statement of Compliance for a Marine Facility or Port (SCMFP)
- Interim Statement of Compliance for a Marine Facility or Port (ISCMFP)
- Statement of Compliance of a Domestic Ferry Facility (SCDFF)
- Letter of Compliance (LoC) for Occasional-Use Marine Facility (OUMF), if applicable.
An electronic or printed copy of this Marine Security Operations Bulletin as well as a copy of the signed Exemption form should be kept with the Marine Security Document and must be made available to Port State Control Officers and Inspectors if and when requested.
Guidance for intermediate security inspections
Section 19.1.1.3 of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) lays out the requirements for intermediate inspections to be conducted between the second and third anniversary date of a vessel marine security document's issuance date. Through the delivery of the Marine Security program, Transport Canada has adopted a similar approach regarding the conduct of intermediate inspection of ports, marine facilities and occasional-use marine facilities.
In the event that Transport Canada – Marine Security Operations is required to reduce its oversight activities due to COVID-19, Canadian vessels operators, marine facilities operators and port administrations whose Marine Security Documents were issued no later than April 1st 2018 may have their intermediate security inspection (verification) deferred for an additional 90 days beyond the third anniversary date of the Marine Security Document's issue date. The determination to issue a 90-day extension will be made at the discretion of the responsible Transportation Security Inspector in consultation with the Stakeholder.
An electronic or printed copy of this Marine Security Operations Bulletin as well as a copy of the signed Intermediate Inspection Extension Letter should be kept with the Marine Security Document and must be made available to Port State Control Officers and Inspectors if and when requested.
Transport Canada – Marine Security Operations may extend the terms of the extension. Should this be necessary, regulated Canadian marine stakeholders will be informed of such an action prior to the expiry of the 90-day extension.
Any comments, suggestions or concerns can be addressed to the Director, Marine Security Operations by e-mail at dirops.marsec-sumar@tc.gc.ca.
Original Signed by:
Malick Sidibé
Director
Marine Security Operations
November 2020