Large Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1435)

Internal Combustion Engines

• 13 (1) Air receivers, main engines, reduction and reverse gearing and main shafting shall be constructed and inspected during construction as required by the Marine Machinery Regulations.

• (2) [Repealed, SOR/2021-135, s. 58]

• (3) Where main engines depend on compressed air for starting, there shall be sufficient air receiver capacity provided to permit, without replenishment of the air,

  • (a) 12 consecutive starts of reversible engines, and

  • (b) six consecutive starts of non-reversible engines,

  and there shall be provided one air compressor driven by a prime mover that can be started without the use of compressed air.

• (4) A safety valve shall be provided on every air receiver or on the piping between each air compressor and each air receiver, but where the safety valve is fitted on the piping, a fusible plug shall be provided on each air receiver.

• (5) Exhaust pipes and silencers shall be efficiently water-cooled, lagged or so installed that they will create no fire hazard.

• (6) Where exhaust pipes pass through the side of a fishing vessel, the connection shall be watertight and provision shall be made so that the engine cannot be flooded.

• (7) [Repealed, SOR/2021-135, s. 58]

• (8) [Repealed, SOR/2021-135, s. 58]

Electrical Equipment, Installations and Appliances

• 13.1 (1) Subject to subsection (1.3), where the construction of a fishing vessel begins after April 27, 1996, the electrical equipment, installations and appliances on the fishing vessel shall be constructed in accordance with TP 127 as it reads on the day the construction begins.

• (1.1) [Repealed, SOR/2021-135, s. 59]

• (1.2) Subject to subsection (1.3), any substantial reconstruction or modification of the electrical equipment, installations or appliances on a fishing vessel shall, insofar as it is practicable, bring the electrical equipment, installations or appliances into compliance with TP 127 as it reads on the day the reconstruction or modification begins.

• (1.3) Where TP 127 does not set out a standard in respect of a particular piece of electrical equipment or a particular electrical installation or appliance, the electrical equipment, installation or appliance shall be safe and effectively fulfil the purpose for which it is intended.

• (2) Every vessel shall be fitted with permanent or portable emergency lights capable of illuminating the launching stations and stowage positions of survival craft, the ships sides at launching stations and all alleyways, stairways, exits and machinery spaces for at least one hour.

• (3) Where non-rechargeable battery operated hand lanterns are provided for the purpose of subsection (2), the batteries shall be changed annually.

Bilge Pumps and Piping

• 14 (1) Not less than two power driven bilge pumps shall be provided of which pumps at least two shall be driven by separate prime movers, one of which may be the main engines, and it shall be possible to operate all the pumps simultaneously.

• (2) The minimum total power bilge pumping capacity and the minimum internal diameter of the suction and discharge bilge piping for ships of various lengths shall be as set out in Table I of Schedule IX, but for ships of intermediate lengths the total minimum power pump capacity and minimum internal diameter of the bilge piping shall be found by interpolation.

• (3) No power bilge pump provided in compliance with this section shall have a capacity of less than 25 per cent of the total capacity required, and at least one power bilge pump independent of the main engines shall have a capacity of not less than 50 per cent of the total required.

• (4) Subject to subsection (6), bilge suctions, piping and means for drainage shall be so arranged that any water that may enter a watertight compartment can be pumped out by each of the power bilge pumps required by this section when the vessel is on an even keel and is either upright or has a list of not more than five degrees.

• (5) In addition to the requirements of subsection (4), a direct bilge suction shall be fitted in the machinery space to a power pump independent of the main engines and this pump

  • (a) may be one of the bilge pumps,

  • (b) may be a main circulating pump,

  • (c) may be any pump other than the pumps referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b),

  • (d) shall have a capacity of not less than 50 per cent of the total power pump capacity required by this section,

  and this additional bilge suction shall be so arranged that it can be operated independently of the main bilge system.

• (6) The following compartments may, if not used for carrying water ballast, be provided with bilge drainage arrangements as follows:

  • (a) in the case of compartments situated forward of the collision bulkhead, with a manual pump;

  • (b) in the case of compartments situated forward of the collision bulkhead on fishing vessels that have a watertight bulkhead between the collision and machinery space bulkheads, with a manual pump or with a drain cock secured to the collision bulkhead and operated from above the main deck;

  • (c) in the case of watertight compartments that overhang the thrust shaft recess, with a manual pump or with a self-closing drain cock operated from the engine room; and

  • (d) in the case of compartments situated aft of the after peak bulkhead, with a manual pump or with a self-closing drain cock operated from the engine room or from above the main deck.

• (7) Power pumps that are essential for bilge service shall be self-priming or so installed that they can be primed from the sea without flooding the bilges.

• (8) Manual pumps, fitted in compliance with this section, shall

  • (a) have a capacity of not less than 1.14 L/s;

  • (b) be fitted with a suction pipe having an internal diameter of not less than 50 mm; and

  • (c) be so located that they can at all times be operated from a position above the load water line.

• (9) Drain cocks fitted in compliance with this section shall have an internal diameter of not less than 38 mm and be so arranged as to be accessible at all times.

• (10) Each bilge branch suction line, except hand pumps with only one suction, shall be fitted with a stop valve that is readily accessible at all times.

• (11) Where a bilge pump is fitted with a connection to the sea, a non-return valve or swing check valve that is readily accessible at all times shall be fitted between the sea connection and the bilge main so that sea water cannot flow into the bilges when the sea connection and bilge valves are open.

• (12) Bilge suctions that lead into crew spaces or engine rooms shall be fitted with strainers, and the area of the openings of such strainers shall be not less than twice the cross-sectional area of the bilge pipe.

• (13) Subject to subsection (14), the piping for bilge pumps on a fishing vessel shall be of steel, bronze or other material that, in the opinion of the Board, is suitable for the purpose and the joints for such piping shall be flanged or screwed.

• (14) Where it is necessary to reduce the effect of vibration, short lengths of rubber or plastic hose may be installed and shall

  • (a) be clearly visible at all times;

  • (b) be of sufficient strength to withstand collapsing due to suction; and

  • (c) have joints made with clamps suitable for the purpose.

High Water Level Detectors in the Bilge

14.1 Each watertight compartment that is not intended to carry liquids and that is located partially or fully below the load water line of a fishing vessel shall be fitted with a high water level detector that is connected to a visual and audible alarm located in the control station of the vessel.

Fuel Tanks

• 15 (1) A fuel tank that is separate from the hull shall comply with the following:

  • (a) the tank shall be made of steel or other material that, in the opinion of the Board, is suitable for the purpose;

  • (b) the tank shall be constructed of material having a minimum thickness of plate of

    • (i) 3 mm where the capacity of the tank is more than 114 L and not more than 1 364 L,

    • (ii) 5 mm where the capacity of the tank is more than 1 364 L and not more than 4 550 L, and

    • (iii) 6 mm where the capacity of the tank is more than 4 550 L;

  • (c) where the capacity of a fuel tank does not exceed 114 L, it may be constructed of material that is less than 3 mm;

  • (d) where the fuel tank referred to in paragraph (c)

    • (i) is to be used for gasoline,

    • (ii) has a capacity of more than 23 L, and

    • (iii) is constructed of material that is not corrosive resistant,

    the tank shall be galvanized inside and outside by the hot dipped process after construction is completed;

  • (e) where the capacity of a fuel tank is more than 114 L, it shall be fitted with stiffeners so that unsupported flat surfaces shall not exceed

    • (i) 0.28 m² where the thickness of the tank plating is 3 mm,

    • (ii) 0.56 m² where the thickness of the tank plating is 5 mm,

    • (iii) 0.84 m² where the thickness of the tank plating is 6 mm, and

    • (iv) 1.12 m² where the thickness of the tank plating is 8 mm;

  • (f) where the thickness of the tank plating is intermediate to any set out in paragraph (b) the unsupported flat surface area shall be calculated by interpolation and where such thickness exceeds 8 mm, the unsupported flat surface area shall be calculated by a like progression as in paragraph (b) and by interpolation;

  • (g) if considered necessary by the Board, baffle plates shall be fitted inside the tank;

  • (h) a fuel tank having a capacity

    • (i) exceeding 1 364 L and not exceeding 4 550 L shall be fitted with a suitable clean-out door, and

    • (ii) exceeding 4 550 L shall be fitted with a manhole door;

  • (i) the seams of a fuel tank shall be welded, brazed or double riveted, but soldered joints may be used on a tank having a capacity of not over 114 L if the solder has a melting point of not less than 427°C;

  • (j) subject to paragraph (k), a fuel tank having a capacity exceeding 114 L shall be tested on completion by hydraulic pressure to a head of at least 2.44 m above the crown or to the maximum head to which the tank will be subjected, whichever is the greater, and the tests shall be witnessed by an inspector; and

  • (k) in the case of any fuel tank having a capacity not exceeding 1 364 L, the inspector may, when it is not practicable for him to witness the test, accept a written statement from the manufacturer certifying that the hydraulic pressure test referred to in paragraph (j) has been carried out and that no defects were revealed.

• (2) Where the capacity of a fuel tank is more than 114 L, it shall be provided with

  • (a) a filling pipe that

    • (i) is at least 38 mm in internal diameter,

    • (ii) leads from the top of the tank to the weatherdeck, the connection through the deck being watertight,

    • (iii) is fitted with a screwed brass plug or cap, and

    • (iv) is made sufficiently flexible to absorb any vibration or sinkage of the tank; and

  • (b) a vent pipe that

    • (i) leads from the top of the tank to a safe height and location above the weatherdeck,

    • (ii) is clear of all openings into the hull or deck house,

    • (iii) has the end of the pipe covered with wire gauze and turned down through an angle of 180 degrees, and

    • (iv) has the deck connection watertight,

    but two or more vent pipes may be branched off from the pipe leading to the deck provided that the deck pipe is increased in diameter to maintain the required cross-sectional area, which area shall not be less than that of the filling pipe.

• (3) Each fuel tank shall be provided with a suitable means for ascertaining the level of the oil therein and if sounding pipes are fitted they shall be led to an accessible position on a deck above the load water line, but where this arrangement is not practicable, short sounding pipes may be fitted in the machinery spaces if they are led to readily accessible positions above the platforms and fitted with self-closing cocks or valves.

• (4) Glass tubing shall not be used as a gauge glass on a fuel tank having a capacity of more than 114 L or on any fuel tank that contains fuel having a flashpoint of less than 52°C (Pensky-Marten closed cup), but flat glass gauges of a type approved by the Board may be used on any fuel tank if fitted with self-closing cocks or valves.

• (5) Where glass tubing is used as a gauge on a fuel tank, the gauge shall be fitted with a cock or valve at the top and at the bottom.

• (6) Where a drain valve or cock is provided on a fuel tank, the drain valve or cock shall have a standard screwed outlet that shall be kept plugged with a screwed plug whenever the valve or cock is not in use.

• (7) In a new or existing fishing vessel, the piping from a fuel tank to a propelling engine shall be fitted with a valve or cock attached to that fuel tank.

• (8) The valve or cock referred to in subsection (7) shall be so controlled that it can be shut off from a position that is

  • (a) outside the compartment in which the fuel tank is situated; and

  • (b) always accessible in the event of fire taking place in the compartment in which the fuel tank is situated.

• (9) The means of remote control referred to in subsection (8) shall consist of

  • (a) an extended spindle;

  • (b) a self closing valve actuated by a trip wire; or

  • (c) any other device satisfactory to an inspector.

• (10) The provisions of subsection (8) shall not apply to an existing fishing vessel where, in the opinion of an inspector, the fitting of a remote control to the fuel tank outlet valve or cock would be impracticable, but in such a case, means shall be provided whereby the propelling engine may be stopped from a position outside the compartment in which the propelling engine is situated.

• (11) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (10), where a new or existing fishing vessel is equipped with an oil fired power boiler for main or auxiliary steam, the provisions of subsection (8) shall apply to every fuel tank outlet valve or cock.

• (12) Subject to subsection (12.1), no fuel tank shall be located where, in the event of a fuel spillage or leakage, fuel could come into contact with a component that has a surface that is or may become heated.

• (12.1) Subject to subsection (12.2), where it is impracticable for a fuel tank in an existing fishing vessel to be located in accordance with subsection (12), a component referred to in subsection (12) shall be relocated to ensure that, in the event of a fuel leakage or spillage, no fuel will come into contact with the component.

• (12.2) Where it is impracticable to relocate a component referred to in subsection (12), protective plating and drip trays with drainage arrangements to a sump tank shall be fitted to ensure that, in the event of a fuel leakage or spillage, no fuel will come into contact with the component.

• (13) Means shall be provided to prevent the movement of oil fuel tanks when the fishing vessel is in a seaway.

• (14) Fuel tanks that are not separate from the hull shall be considered as part of the hull, taking into consideration the strength requirements of the vessel and the possibility of contamination of oil fuel with water, but the standards of construction and testing shall not be less than those given in this section for fuel tanks that are separate from the hull.

• (15) Means shall be provided to ensure that, in the event of fuel spillage or leakage from any source on a fishing vessel, no fuel will come into contact with any component that has a surface that is, or may become, heated.