Marine security operations bulletins

Marine security operations bulletins give guidance about marine security situations. They cover topics like:

  • marine security legislation
  • inspecting industry stakeholders
  • enforcing compliance
  • marine security documents

The bulletins help marine security stakeholders cooperate and coordinate. This makes the Canadian marine transportation system safer.

Stakeholders must follow the directives provided in the bulletins. Marine Security Operations should approve any change from these directives.

Please send your comments about any bulletin to the Director of Marine Security Operations at dirops.marsec-sumar@tc.gc.ca.

List of Marine Security Operations Bulletins
Bulletin number Subject Alternative format
2026-005 MARSEC level change: Stakeholder guidance and requirements PDF, 390 KB
2026-004 Suspicious activity reporting PDF, 299 KB
2026-003 Reporting requirements concerning cyber security threats, breaches, incidents and voluntary reporting of cyber-related suspicious activity PDF, 379 KB
2026-002 Reporting requirements concerning marine security threats, breaches, and incidents PDF, 314 KB
2026-001 Expedited process to meet MTSR requirements for reflagging Canadian vessels PDF, 240 KB
2025-004 Automated emergency notification fan-out service (AENFOS): stakeholder guidance and requirements PDF, 214 KB
2025-003 Certificates of Proficiency in Security for Cadets PDF, 183 KB
2025-002 Procedures to meet the ship security alert system (SSAS) requirements for Canadian registered vessels in accordance with the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSRs) PDF, 199 KB
2025-001 Access by government officials to vessels, marine facilities and ports PDF, 175 KB
2024-002 Application and use of a declaration of security pursuant to the Marine Transportation Security Regulations PDF, 151 KB
2024-001 Scoping of Marine Facilities, Definition of Cargo and Establishing Restricted Areas PDF, 170 KB
2023-003 Clarification of the acceptable identification required for cruise ship screening PDF, 411 KB
2023-002 Clarification of the application of Part 5 of the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR) related to container provision for domestic containers PDF, 420 KB
2023-001 Shore leave and access to vessels subject to the Marine Transportation Security Regulations for seafarers, seafarers' welfare and labour organizations (This bulletin replaces MSOB 2016-001) PDF, 449 KB
2021-003 Clarification of the meaning of laid-up under the provision of the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSRs) PDF, 81 KB
2021-002 Verifying the validity of electronic marine security documents online (This bulletin replaces MSOB 2020-004) PDF, 182 KB
2021-001 Reporting requirements concerning cyber security threats, breaches, incidents and voluntary reporting of cyber-related suspicious activity PDF, 1.1 MB
2020-004 Verifying the Validity of Electronic Marine Security Documents Online (This bulletin has been replaced by MSOB 2021-002) -
2020-003 Temporary Extension of Certain Marine Security Documents and the Requirement to Conduct Intermediate Security Inspections due to COVID-19 PDF, 305 KB
2020-002 Temporary Extension of the Validity Period of Transportation Security Clearances (TSC) and Restricted Area Passes (R1 and R2) due to COVID-19 PDF, 420 KB
2020-001 Temporary Extension of the Validity Period of Transportation Security Clearances (TSC) and Restricted Area Passes (R1 and R2) due to COVID-19 PDF, 36 KB
2017-001 Applying “place outside of Canada” and “Interface” as described in the Marine Transportation Security Regulations PDF, 60 KB
2016-002 Suspicious Activity Reporting PDF, 184 KB
2016-001 Shore Leave and Access to Vessels subject to the Marine Transportation Security Regulations Seafarers’ Welfare (This bulletin has been replaced by MSOB 2023-001) PDF, 156 KB
2014-004 Amendment to the Marine Transportation Security Regulations Related to Occasional-Use Marine Facilities PDF, 143 KB
2014-003 Requests for Transport Canada marine security services related to security assessments, security plans, security procedures and inspections PDF, 179 KB
2014-002 Canadian Vessels on a Domestic Voyage and Marine Facilities Interfacing With Them PDF, 465 KB
2014-001 Clarification of Transport Canada (TC) Marine Security Mandatory Threat, Breach and Incident Reporting Requirements PDF, 369 KB
2013-003 Procedures to Obtain a Testimonial and Subsequent STCW 2010 Certificate of Proficiency PDF, 215 KB
2013-002 Cruise Ships, Cruise Ships Tenders and Cruise Ship Terminal - 100% Screening At All MARSEC Levels PDF, 200 KB
2013-001 Updates to the Marine Security Oversight Regime under the Marine Transportation Security Act -
2012-004 Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) Requirements for Canadian Registered Vessels PDF, 10.0 MB
2012-003 Use of Cruise Ship and Passengers Vessel Tenders to Transfer Passengers to and from Shore (This bulletin replaces MSOB 2009-001) PDF, 1.38 MB
2012-002 Interim Procedures to Meet the New Manila 2010 STCW Requirements PDF, 6.24 MB
2012-001 Application and Use of a Declaration of Security Pursuant to the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR) PDF, 2.74 MB
2009-001 Use of Cruise Ship Tenders to Transfer Passengers to and from Shore
(This bulletin has been replaced by MSOB 2012-003)		 -
2008-003 Implementation of Long Range Identification and Tracking of Solas Vessels (This bulletin replaces MSOB No. 2008-002) PDF, 1.5 MB
2008-002 Implementation of Long Range Identification and Tracking of Solas Vessels (This bulletin has been replaced by MSOB 2008-003) -
2008-001 Amendment to STCW Convention regarding the training and certification of Ship Security Officers PDF, 4.9 MB
2007-002 Shore leave and access to ships under the ISPS code, by representatives of seafarers' welfare and labour organizations PDF, 18.9 MB
2007-001 Certificate or Document to be Carried on Board Vessels Under the Provision of the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR) PDF, 61.9 KB
2005-001 Procedures Governing Changes in MARSEC Levels PDF, 294 KB
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