Inland Navigation Rules

Canadian Rules that differ from COLREGS

Rule 6. Safe Speed - Canadian Modification
(c) In the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, every vessel passing another vessel or work that includes a dredge, tow, grounded vessel or wreck shall proceed with caution at a speed that will not adversely affect the vessel or work being passed, and shall comply with any relevant instruction or direction contained in any Notice to Mariners or Notice to Shipping.
(d) For the purpose of paragraph (c), where it cannot be determined with certainty that a passing vessel will not adversely affect another vessel or work described in that paragraph, the passing vessel shall proceed with caution at the minimum speed at which she can be kept on her course.
(e) In the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, every vessel shall navigate with caution and shall comply with any relevant instruction or direction contained in any Notice to Mariners or Notice to Shipping where abnormal water levels, ice conditions or a casualty to a vessel or aid to navigation may

(i) make navigation difficult or hazardous,
(ii) cause damage to property, or
(iii) block the navigational channel.

Rule 9. Narrow Channels - Canadian Modification
(h) Notwithstanding paragraph (d), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, a vessel that can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway shall, if a crossing vessel impedes her passage, use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.
(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (e), in a narrow channel or fairway in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, a vessel shall indicate its intention to overtake, or its agreement to being overtaken, as the case may be, by sounding the whistle signals prescribed in Rule 34(j).
(j) In the Canadian waters of a narrow channel or fairway a barge or an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object shall not be navigated, moored or anchored so as to impede the safe passage of any other vessel or object using those waters.
(k) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and Rule 14(a), in the Canadian waters of a narrow channel or fairway where there is a current or tidal stream and two power-driven vessels are meeting each other from opposite directions so as to involve risk of collision:

(i) the vessel proceeding with the current or tidal stream shall be the stand-on vessel and shall propose the place of passage and shall indicate the side on which she intends to pass by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(a) or (g),
(ii) the vessel proceeding against the current or tidal stream shall keep out of the way of the vessel proceeding with the current or tidal stream and shall hold as necessary to permit safe passing, and
(iii) the vessel proceeding against the current or tidal stream shall promptly reply to the signal referred to in subparagraph (I) with the same signal, if she is in agreement, and with the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d), if she is in doubt.

Rule 10. Traffic Separation Schemes - Canadian Modification
(m) Traffic separation schemes adopted by the Organization shall be described in Notices to Mariners or Notices to Shipping.
(m.1) Subject to paragraphs (o) and (p), paragraphs (a) to (l) apply to any routing system described in Notices to Mariners or Notices to Shipping.
(n) Every power-driven vessel of more than 20 meters in length shall use the route within a traffic separation scheme or a routing system by which it can safely proceed to its destination.
(o) Paragraphs (b), (c) and (h) do not apply to a vessel engaged in fishing with nets, lines, trawls, trolling lines or other fishing apparatus in or near a routing system located in Canadian waters or fishing zones.
(p) Paragraphs (b), (c), (e) and (h) do not apply to a vessel engaged in laying, servicing or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipeline, dredging, surveying, underwater operations or launching or recovering aircraft in or near a routing system located in Canadian waters or fishing zones, where that vessel

(i) does not prevent other vessels that use the route from navigating safely,
(ii) identifies herself to approaching vessels and informs them of the location and nature of the operation and of her intentions, and
(iii) informs the Department, as soon as possible before the commencement of the operation of

(A) the nature, location and duration of the operation, and
(B) any cautionary advice necessary concerning the operation.
(q) A vessel making a transatlantic voyage shall, as far as practicable, avoid crossing the Grand Banks of Newfoundland north of latitude 43° North.

Rule 13. Overtaking - Canadian Modification
(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, a vessel shall be deemed to be overtaking another vessel when at night she would be able to see

(i) the sternlight of the other vessel, or
(ii) in the case of a power-driven vessel lighted in accordance with Rule 23(c) or (e), the all-round white light or lights of the other vessel but not her sidelights.

Rule 15. Crossing Situation - Canadian Modification
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph
(a), in Canadian waters, a vessel crossing a river shall keep out of the way of a power-driven vessel ascending or descending the river, except on the St. Lawrence River northeast of "ėle Rouge."

Rule 21. Definitions - Canadian Modification
(g) "Special flashing light" means a yellow light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 50 to 70 flashes per minute, placed as far forward and as nearly as practicable on the fore and aft centerline of a vessel and showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of not less than 180 degrees nor more than 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to abeam and not more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel.
(h) "Blue flashing light" means a blue all-round light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 50 to 70 flashes per minute.

Rule 22. Visibility of Lights - Canadian Modification
(e) In vessels being pushed ahead, irrespective of length:
-a special flashing light, 2 miles.
(f) In any government or police vessel:
-a blue flashing light, 2 miles.

Rule 23. Power-driven Vessels Underway - Canadian Modification
(d) Rule 23(c)(ii) does not apply to a Canadian power-driven vessel in any waters or to a non-Canadian power-driven vessel in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway.
(e) In the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, a power-driven vessel when underway may, instead of the second masthead light and sternlight prescribed in paragraph (a), carry, in the position of the second masthead light, a single all-round white light or two such lights placed not over 800 millimeters apart horizontally, one on either side of the keel and so arranged that one or the other or both shall be visible from any angle of approach and for the same minimum range as the masthead lights.

Rule 24. Towing and Pushing - Canadian Modification
(j) Notwithstanding paragraphs (e) and (h), within Canadian waters or fishing zones, where it is impracticable for a barge being towed to comply with paragraph (e) the barge shall exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (k) to (m).
(k) Subject to paragraphs (l) to (n), every barge shall carry one all-round white light at each end of the barge.
(l) Where two or more barges are grouped together, the group may be lighted as a single barge.
(m) Subject to paragraph (n), where two or more barges are grouped together, the total length of the group exceeds 100 meters and the group is lighted as a single barge, the group shall carry an all-round white light located as closely as possible at the middle point of the group, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (k).
(n) A barge being pushed ahead shall carry, instead of the all-round white lights prescribed in paragraphs (k) and (m), white lights that show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and are fixed so as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the barge.
(o) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, a power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside shall exhibit two towing lights in a vertical line instead of the sternlight prescribed in paragraph (c).
(p) In the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, a special flashing light shall be exhibited at the forward end of a vessel or vessels being pushed ahead, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraphs (f) and (n).

Rule 25. Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars - Canadian Modification
(f) Notwithstanding paragraph (e), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, a vessel of less than 12 meters in length proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery is not required to exhibit a conical shape, apex downwards, but may do so. Rule 26.

Fishing Vessels - Canadian Modification
(f) Notwithstanding paragraph (d), a vessel engaged in fishing in Canadian waters and fishing zones in close proximity to another vessel or vessels engaged in fishing

(i) may, if it is less than 20 meters in length or fishing with purse seine gear, and
(ii) shall, if it is 20 meters or more in length and fishing other than with purse seine gear,
exhibit and sound the appropriate signals prescribed in Annex II.

Rule 28. Vessels Constrained by their Draught - Canadian Modification
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, no vessel shall exhibit three all-round red lights in a vertical line or a cylinder.

Rule 30. Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground - Canadian Modification
(g) In the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, a barge or an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object may, when at anchor, exhibit the appropriate all-round white lights prescribed by paragraphs 24(g) and (k) to (m) instead of the lights prescribed by paragraphs (a) to (c) of this Rule.
(h) Notwithstanding this Rule, in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, a barge or an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, when at anchor, is not required to exhibit any light while located within a recognized mooring, storage or booming area that is not an area in or near a narrow channel or fairway or where other vessels normally navigate.

Rule 33. Equipment for Sound Signals - Canadian Modification
(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, a vessel that is

(i) less than 12 meters in length,
(ii) built or converted for the purpose of pushing or pulling any floating object, and
(iii) not solely employed in yarding or warping operations,
shall carry the sound signal appliances prescribed in paragraph (a) for a vessel of 12 meters or more in length.

Rule 34. Maneuvering and Warning Signals - Canadian Modification
(g) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, when power-driven vessels are in sight of one another and meeting or crossing at a distance within half a mile of each other, each vessel underway, when maneuvering as authorized or required by these Rules

(i) shall indicate that maneuver by the following signals on her whistle:
-one short blast to mean "I intend to leave you on my port side",
-two short blasts to mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard side", and
-three short blasts to mean "I am operating astern propulsion", and
(ii) shall, upon hearing the one or two blast signal, referred to in subparagraph (i), of the other vessel indicate her agreement by sounding the same whistle signal and taking the steps necessary to effect a safe passing. If, however, for any cause, a vessel on hearing a one or two blast signal referred to in subparagraph (i) doubts the safety of the proposed maneuver, she shall sound the signal specified in paragraph (d) and each vessel shall take appropriate precautionary action until a safe passing agreement is made.

(h) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, a vessel may supplement the whistle signals prescribed in paragraph (g) by light signals.

(i) that have the following significance:
-one flash to mean "I intend to leave you on my port side",
-two flashes to mean "I intend to leave you on my starboard side",
-three flashes to mean "I am operating astern propulsion", and
(ii) the duration of which shall be about one second for each flash.

(i) The light used for a signal referred to in paragraph (h), shall, if fitted, be one all-round white or yellow light, visible at a minimum range of 2 miles, synchronized with the whistle signal referred to in paragraph (g), and shall comply with section 12 of Annex I.
(j) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, when power-driven vessels are in sight of one another in a narrow channel or fairway,
(i) the vessel intending to overtake another shall, in compliance with Rule

9(i), indicate her intention by the following signals on her whistle:
-one short blast to mean "I intend to overtake you on your starboard side",
-two short blasts to mean "I intend to overtake you on your port side",
(ii) the vessel about to be overtaken when acting in accordance with Rule 9(i) shall, if in agreement, sound the same signal as given by the other vessel. If in doubt, she shall sound the signal prescribed in paragraph (d).

(k) In the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, a power-driven vessel that is leaving a dock or berth shall give a signal of one prolonged blast.
(l) Notwithstanding this Rule and Rule 9, in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, a vessel may use a bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone instead of the prescribed whistle signals to reach agreement in a meeting, crossing or overtaking situation. If agreement is not reached, then whistle signals shall be exchanged in a timely manner and shall prevail.

Rule 35. Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility - Canadian Modification
(k) Notwithstanding paragraph (i), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, a vessel that is

(i) less than 12 meters in length,
(ii) built or converted for the purpose of pushing or pulling any floating object, and
(iii) not located within a recognized mooring, storage or booming area
shall sound the signals prescribed for a vessel of 12 meters or more in length.

Rule 38. Exemptions - Canadian Modification
(i) For the purposes of paragraphs (d), (e), (f) and (g), the nine years referred to therein shall be considered to commence on July 15, 1977.
(j) Notwithstanding paragraph (i), the nine years referred to in paragraphs
(d), (e), (f) and (g) shall be considered to commence on March 1, 1983 for vessels exclusively engaged in inland voyages.
(k) In the case of a vessel not required to be inspected under the Canada Shipping Act, the lights are exempted from compliance with these Regulations if they were,

(i) before July 15, 1981, where the vessel is 20 meters or more in length, or
(ii) before June 1, 1984, where the vessel is less than 20 meters in length,
constructed and installed in accordance with the Collision Regulations, as those Regulations read on July 31, 1974, or the Small Vessel Regulations, as those Regulations read on May 31, 1984.

PART F Additional Canadian Provisions

Rule 39. Special Signals for Dangerous Goods
In the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, a vessel that is taking in, discharging or carrying dangerous goods shall,
(a) when not underway, exhibit where it can best be seen, an all-round red light or the International Code flag "B"; and
(b) when underway, exhibit where it can best be seen, the International Code flag "B," but not an all-round red light.

Rule 40. Radar Reflectors
(a) Subject to paragraph (b), a vessel that is less than 20 meters in length or is constructed primarily of non-metallic materials shall be equipped with a passive radar reflector.
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply where

(i) a vessel operates in limited traffic conditions, daylight, and favorable environmental conditions and where compliance is not essential for the safety of the vessel, or
(ii) the small size of the vessel or its operation away from radar navigation makes compliance impracticable.

(c) The radar reflector prescribed in paragraph (a) shall,

(i) be capable of performance through 360 degrees of azimuth and responsive to a radar frequency of 9.3 GHz (corresponding wave length 3.2 centimeters),
(ii) have an equivalent echoing area of 10 square meters measured perpendicularly to the main radar lobes,
(iii) be mounted or suspended higher than the superstructures and, if practicable, at a height of not less than 4 meters above the water,
(iv) be positioned and painted so as not to be visually prominent,
(v) be capable of maintaining its performance under the conditions of sea states, vibration, humidity and change of temperature likely to be experienced in the marine environment, and
(vi) be clearly marked so as to indicate any preferred orientation of mounting.

(d) The azimuthal polar diagram of the radar reflector prescribed in paragraph (a) shall have a response not less than minus 6 dB with reference to the maxima of the main radar lobes

(i) over a total angle of 240 degrees, and
(ii) within any arc of more than 10 degrees.

Rule 41. Transponders
(a) No vessel shall be fitted with a transponder that can transmit radar responder signals or radar beacon signals in the 3 or 10 centimeters marine radar bands unless the use of the transponder is authorized in writing by the Chairman.
(b) The Chairman may authorize the use of a transponder referred to in paragraph (a) if he is satisfied that the transponder will be used in a manner that will not interfere with or degrade the use of radar in navigation.
(c) An authorization referred to in paragraph (a) may contain such conditions as the Chairman considers necessary to ensure that the transponder will be used as described in paragraph (b).
(d) No person shall operate a transponder on a vessel except in accordance with the conditions, if any, contained in the authorization prescribed in paragraph (a).

Rule 42. Additional Requirements for Exploration or Exploitation Vessels
(a) An exploration or exploitation vessel shall display identification panels bearing the name, identification letters or numerals of the vessel so that at least one panel is visible in any direction.
(b) The name, identification letters or numerals referred to in paragraph (a) shall be

(i) black,
(ii) not less than 1 meter in height,
(iii) displayed on a yellow background, and
(iv) easily visible in daylight and at night by the use of illumination or retro-reflecting material.

(c) Subject to paragraph (h), an exploration or exploitation vessel, when stationary and engaged in drilling or production operations, shall, in lieu of the lights or shapes required by these Rules, exhibit where it can best be seen from any direction a white light or a series of white lights located at an equal height above the water and operating in unison, which light or lights shall

(i) flash the morse letter "U" at intervals of not more than 15 seconds,
(ii) be installed at a height above the water of not less than 6 meters and not more than 30 meters so that at least one light shall remain visible to within 15 meters of the vessel,
(iii) be visible all round the horizon at a nominal range of 15 miles,
(iv) be powered by a reliable power source,
(v) be equipped with an auxiliary power source, and
(vi) be exhibited from 15 minutes before sunset until sunrise and at all times when the visibility in any direction is 2 miles or less.

(d) The horizontal and vertical extremities of an exploration or exploitation vessel that is stationary and engaged in drilling or production operations shall be adequately marked in compliance with the requirements set out in Transport Canada Standards Obstruction Markings (2nd ed.), 1987, TP 382, as amended from time to time. (e) An exploration or exploitation vessel, when stationary and engaged in drilling or production operations, shall be equipped with a sound-signalling appliance that

(i) is powered by a reliable power source,
(ii) is provided with an auxiliary power source,
(iii) when operating, emits a rhythmic blast corresponding to the Morse letter "U" every 30 seconds,
(iv) has its maximum intensity at a frequency between 100 and 1 000 Hertz,
(v) has a usual range of at least 2 miles,
(vi) is installed at a height above the water of not less than 6 meters and not more than 30 meters, and
(vii) is so placed that the sound emitted is audible, when there is no wind, throughout the required range in all directions in a horizontal plane from the vessel.

(f) An exploration or exploitation vessel, when stationary and engaged in drilling or production operations, shall, whenever the visibility in any direction is 2 miles or less, operate the sound-signalling appliance described in paragraph (e) in lieu of the sound signal described in Rule 35.
(g) Every exploration or exploitation vessel shall comply with the relevant technical requirements contained in the Recommendations for the marking of offshore structures, November 1984, published by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), as amended from time to time, and the nominal range of lights shall be computed in accordance with Appendix II of Recommendation for the Notation of Luminous Intensity and Range of Lights, 1967, published by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), as amended from time to time.
(h) In the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes Basin, the white light or series of white lights exhibited by an exploration or exploitation vessel when stationary and engaged in drilling or production operations shall have a range of visibility of between 8 and 15 miles.

Rule 43. Safety Zones Around Exploration or Exploitation Vessels
(a) For the purpose of this Rule, with respect to an exploration or exploitation vessel that is in position for the purpose of exploring or exploiting the non-living natural resources of the sea bed, a safety zone is the area that extends from the outer extremities of the exploration or exploitation vessel to the greater of

(i) 500 meters in all directions, and
(ii) 50 meters beyond the boundaries of the anchor pattern of the vessel.

(b) The Chairman may establish a safety zone greater or smaller than the safety zone referred to in paragraph (a), where such a zone is reasonably related to the nature and function of the exploration or exploitation vessel.
(c) No vessel shall navigate within a safety zone.
(d) Paragraph (c) does not apply to a vessel that

(i) is in distress,
(ii) is attempting to save life or provide assistance to a vessel in distress,
(iii) is operated by or on behalf of the state having jurisdiction over the
exploration or exploitation operations, or
(iv) has received permission from the person in charge of the exploration or exploitation vessel to enter the safety zone around that vessel.

(e) All vessels shall comply with any relevant instruction or direction with respect to a safety zone contained in a Notice to Mariners or Notice to Shipping.

Rule 44. Ocean Data Acquisition Systems (ODAS)
(a) Every Canadian ODAS shall clearly display its identification number on an exterior surface where it can be clearly seen and, if practicable, shall display the name and address of the owner of the ODAS.
(b) Subject to paragraph (f), every ODAS shall be constructed or fitted with a passive radar reflector that has a radar response at least equivalent to a radar reflector required by Rule 40.
(c) Every ODAS that is designed to operate while floating with part of its structure extending above the water shall

(i) be colored yellow,
(ii) have a shape that cannot be confused with the shape of a navigational mark, and
(iii) where technically practicable,

(A) have a topmark consisting of a yellow "X" shape,
(B) exhibit a yellow light visible at a minimum range of five miles that gives a group of five flashes every 20 seconds, and
(C) be equipped with an appliance that emits a sound signal at intervals of not more than two minutes, which sound signal cannot be confused with any other signal prescribed by these Rules or with the sound signal of any aid to navigation in the vicinity of the ODAS.

(d) Subject to paragraph (f), every ODAS designed to operate under water, other than an ODAS referred to in paragraph (e), shall

(i) be escorted by a surface vessel that gives warning of the presence of the ODAS in accordance with Rule 27, or
(ii) have tethered to it a surface float that is marked, provides the radar response, is lighted and sounds the signals specified in paragraph (a) to (c).

(e) Every ODAS designed to operate when resting on the bottom of sea, lake or river with part of its structure extending above the water shall be marked, exhibit lights and shapes, and sound signals in the same manner as an exploration or exploitation vessel.
(f) Paragraphs (b) and (d) do not apply to an ODAS where

(i) the Chairman has determined that the ODAS does not constitute a potential danger to navigation by reason of

(A) it size, material, construction, area or method of operations,
(B) the nature and condition of the waters in the area of operation of the ODAS, and
(C) the use that is or might reasonably be expected to be made of those waters, and

(ii) the Chairman has given the owner of the ODAS notice in writing of that determination.

Rule 45. Blue Flashing Light
(a) For the purposes of this Rule, "government ship" means a ship or vessel that is owned by and in the service of Her Majesty in right of Canada or of a province and any ship that is owned or operated by a federal, provincial, harbor, river, county or municipal police force (navire d'État). (b) Any government ship may exhibit as an identification signal a blue flashing light where it (i) is providing assistance in any waters to any vessel or other craft, aircraft or person that is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance, or
(ii) is engaged in law enforcement duties in Canadian waters.

Rule 46. Alternate System of Navigation Lights
(a) For the purposes of this Rule, "alternate system of navigation lights" means a system that includes masthead lights, sidelights, a sternlight and anchor lights (syst?me de feux de navigation de relais).
(b) Subject to paragraph (d), every ship built on or after January 1, 1991 that is required to be inspected under the Act shall be fitted with an alternate system of navigation lights.
(c) Subject to paragraph (d), every ship built before January 1, 1991 that is required to be inspected under the Act shall, before January 1, 1996,

(i) if it is of 500 tons gross tonnage or more, be fitted with an alternate system of navigation lights, or
(ii) if it is of less than 500 tons gross tonnage, be fitted with or carry on board an alternate system of navigation lights.

(d) Paragraph (b) and subparagraph (c)(ii) do not apply to a vessel of less than 15 meters in length.
(d.1) For a ship referred to in paragraph (b) or subparagraph (c)(i), the alternate system of navigation lights shall be supplied by the main source of electric power of the ship and one other source of electric power with which the ship is required to be supplied by section 15 of Annex I.
(e) For a ship referred to in subparagraph (c)(ii), the alternate system of navigation lights shall

(i) be supplied by a source of electrical power with which the ship is required to be supplied by section 15 of Annex I, other than the main source of power of the ship, or
(ii) subject to paragraph (f), consist of nonelectric lights.

(i) a ship or barge whose cargo has volatile or explosive properties that could endanger the ship or barge and its crew, or
(ii) a ship engaged in towing or pushing a ship or barge whose cargo has volatile or explosive properties that could endanger the ships or barge and their respective crews.

Back to top

Annex I Positioning and Technical Details of Lights and Shapes

Annex I, Part 1. Definition - Canadian Modification (b) The term "practical cut-off" means the point on an arc around a source of light at which the intensity of the light is reduced as follows:

(i) for vessels of less than 20 meters in length, where the intensity is reduced to 67 per cent of the minimum required intensity within 3 or 5 degrees as appropriate, outside the horizontal sectors referred to in section 9 of this Annex and described in Rule 21, practical cut-off occurs at the point at which the intensity is reduced to 10 per cent of the minimum required intensity within 20 degrees outside the horizontal sectors referred to in section 9 of this Annex and described in Rule 21,
(ii) for vessels of 20 meters or more in length, practical cut-off occurs at the point at which the intensity is reduced to 12.5 per cent of the minimum required intensity within 3 or 5 degrees, as appropriate, outside the horizontal sectors referred to in section 9 of this Annex and described in Rule 21.

Annex I, Part 2. Vertical Positioning and Spacing of Lights - Canadian Modification
(l) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, on a power-driven vessel of 20 meters or more in length the masthead lights may be placed as follows:

(i) the forward masthead light, or if only one masthead light is carried, then that light, at a height above the hull of not less than 5 meters, and, if the breadth of the vessel exceeds 5 meters, then at a height above the hull of not less than such breadth, but the light need not be placed at a greater height above the hull than 8 meters,
(ii) where two masthead lights are carried, the after one shall be at least 2 meters vertically higher than the forward one.

(m) Notwithstanding paragraph (d), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, the masthead light or the all-round white light referred to in Rule 23(c), for a power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall be carried at least 1 meter higher than the sidelights.
(n) Notwithstanding paragraph (e), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, one of the two or three masthead lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel when engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall be placed in the same position as the forward masthead light or the after masthead light, but where the light is carried on the aftermast the lowest after masthead light shall be at least 2 meters vertically higher than the forward masthead light.
(o) Notwithstanding paragraph (g), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, the sidelights of a power-driven vessel may be placed at least 1 meter lower than the forward masthead light but shall not be so low as to be interfered with by deck lights.
(p) Notwithstanding subparagraph (i)(i), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, where a vessel of 20 meters in length or more is required to carry two or three lights in a vertical line, these lights may be spaced not less than 1 meter apart, and the lowest of these lights shall, except where a towing light is required, be placed at a height of not less than 4 meters above the hull.
(q) The all-round white lights prescribed for an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object or a barge in Rules 24(g) and (k), respectively, shall be carried at the same height and shall be placed at a height of not less than 2 meters above the water.

Annex I, Part 3. Horizontal Positioning and Spacing of Lights - Canadian Modification
(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, where two masthead lights are prescribed for a power-driven vessel,

(i) the horizontal distance between them shall be not less than one-quarter the length of the vessel but need not be more than 50 m, and (ii) the forward light shall be placed not more than one-half the length of the vessel away from the stem.

Annex I, Part 4. Details of location of direction-indicating lights for fishing vessels, dredgers and vessels engaged in underwater operations - Canadian Modification
(a) The light indicating the direction of the outlying gear from a vessel engaged in fishing as prescribed in Rule 26(c)(ii) shall be placed at a horizontal distance of not less than 2 meters and not more than 6 meters away from the two all-round red and white lights. This light shall be placed not higher than the all-round white light prescribed in Rule 26(c)(i) and not lower than the sidelights.
(b) The lights and shapes on a vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations to indicate the obstructed side and/or the side on which it is safe to pass, as prescribed in Rule 27(d)(i) and (ii), shall be placed at the maximum practical horizontal distance, but in no case less than 2 meters, from the lights or shapes prescribed in Rule 27(b)(i) and (ii). In no case shall the upper of these lights or shapes be at a greater height than the lower of the three lights or shapes prescribed in Rule 27(b)(i) and (ii).

Annex I, Part 5. Screens for Lights Other than Sidelights - Canadian Modification
5.1 On power-driven vessels of less than 12 meters in length, constructed after July 31, 1983, the masthead light or the all-round light referred to in Rule 23(c), shall be screened to prevent direct illumination of the vessel forward of the operator's position.

Annex I, Part 7. Color Specification of Lights - Canadian Modification
(v) Restricted Blue

x 0.136 0.218 0.185 0.102
y 0.040 0.142 0.175 0.105

Annex I, Part 9. Horizontal Sectors - Canadian Modification
(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, the all-round white light or lights referred to in Rule 23(e) shall not be obscured.

Annex I, Part 10. Vertical Sectors - Canadian Modification

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, electric lights on unmanned barges need not comply with the vertical sector requirements but shall maintain the required minimum intensity on the horizontal.

Annex I, Part 12. Maneuvering Light - Canadian Modification
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), in the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, the maneuvering light referred to in Rule 34(h) shall be placed in the same fore and aft vertical plane as the masthead light or lights at not less than 1 meter vertically above or below the after masthead light and, where practicable, shall be placed at the minimum height of 1 meter vertically above the forward masthead light. On a vessel where only one masthead light is carried, the maneuver light, if fitted, shall be carried where it can best be seen and shall be located not less than 1 meter vertically apart from the masthead light.

Annex I, Part 15. Approval - Canadian Modification
(b) For the purpose of paragraph (a), the appropriate Canadian authority is the Chairman.

15. Electric Power Supply - Canadian Modification
Electric power supplied to any navigation lights shall be in compliance with the provisions of the Transport Canada Ship Safety Electrical Standards, 1987, TP 127, as amended from time to time.

Back to top

Annex II Additional Signals For Fishing Vessels Fishing In Close Proximity

Annex II, Part 4. Special visual signals - Canadian Modification
In Canadian waters and fishing zones, a vessel engaged in pair-trawling shall exhibit at the foremast the International Code flag "T" during the daylight hours.

Annex II, Part 5. Special sound signals - Canadian Modification

(a) In Canadian waters and fishing zones, a vessel engaged in fishing as described in Rule 26(f) shall, in any condition of visibility, sound the following signals on her whistle:

(i) 4 blasts in succession, namely, 2 prolonged blasts followed by 2 short blasts when shooting a net or gear,
(ii) 3 blasts in succession, namely, 2 prolonged blasts followed by 1 short blast when hauling a net or gear, and
(iii) 4 blasts in succession, namely, 1 short blast followed by 2 prolonged blasts, followed by 1 short blast when a net or gear is fast to an obstruction.

Annex III Technical Details Of Sound Signal Appliances

Annex III, Part 1. Whistles - Canadian Modification
(h) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, the upper limit of the frequency range referred to in that paragraph may be expanded to be within the range of 180-2 100 Hz (+/- 1 per cent).
(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, the whistle on a vessel of 12 meters or more in length but less than 20 meters in length may provide, in the direction of the forward axis of the whistle and at a distance of 1 meter from it, a sound pressure level in at least one 1/3rd-octave band of not less than the appropriate figure shown below within the frequency range of 250-2 100 Hz (+/- 1 per cent):

(i) 250-450 Hz-120 dB
(ii) 450-800 Hz-115 dB
(iii) 800-2 100 Hz-111 dB

(j) In the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbor, river, lake or inland waterway, a power-driven vessel that is normally engaged in pushing ahead or towing alongside may, at any time, use a whistle whose characteristic falls within the limits prescribed in paragraph (b) for the longest normal length of the vessel and its tow.

Annex III, Part 3. Approval - Canadian Modification
(b) For the purpose of paragraph (a), the appropriate Canadian authority is the Chairman.

Back to top

Annex IV Distress Signals

Annex IV - Canadian Modification (add two parts)
4. In Canadian waters or fishing zones, in addition to the signals described in section 1, the following signals may be used or exhibited either together or separately to indicate distress and need of assistance:

(a) a square shape or anything resembling a square shape; and
(b) a high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals of 50 to 70 times per minute.

Back to top

Metric Conversion Table