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

Underwater Fittings

• 16 (1) Valves or cocks shall be fitted to all suctions and discharges that pass through the hull of a fishing vessel below the weatherdeck.

• (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to

  • (a) pump discharges of 38 mm or less in internal diameter that are situated above the load water line;

  • (b) keel cooling systems; or

  • (c) scuppers and discharges that pass from the weatherdeck to the ship’s side above the load water line.

• (3) The valves or cocks required by subsection (1) shall be fitted as close to the side of the fishing vessel as possible.

• (4) Suction and discharge valves and cocks on a steel fishing vessel shall be attached to the plating of the hull or to the plating of fabricated water boxes by

  • (a) bolts with countersunk heads tapped through the plating, or

  • (b) studs that are screwed into heavy steel pads welded or riveted to the plating and that do not penetrate the plating,

  and such valves or cocks shall be fitted with spigots passing through the plating.

• (5) Where sea valves are provided with clearing connections from steam or compressed air lines, the scantlings of the valves and the valve stools, if fitted, shall be suitable for the maximum pressure to which the valves or stools may be subjected.

• (6) Boiler blow-down valves or cocks on the ship’s side shall be fitted above the stokehold plates, in an accessible position, shall be so arranged that it can readily be seen whether they are open or shut, and the handles shall be so made that they cannot be removed unless the valves or cocks are shut.

• (7) Suction and discharge valves and cocks on a wooden fishing vessel shall be attached to the hull by the methods prescribed by the Board as set out in Schedule VI or any other method accepted by the Board after full particulars have been submitted to it.

• (8) Side scuppers shall not be fitted from the tween deck area of a fishing vessel when the tween deck is situated less than 760 mm or two per cent of the length, whichever is the greater, above the deepest load water line.

• (9) Where the tween deck of a fishing vessel is situated at least 760 mm or two per cent of the length, whichever is the greater, above the deepest load water line, side scuppers may be fitted if an automatic non-return valve with positive means of closing it from the tween deck space and with extended spindles to the weatherdeck is fitted to each scupper.

• (10) The means of closing the valve referred to in subsection (9) shall be readily accessible and an indicator showing whether the valve is open or closed shall be provided at both decks.

• (11) Where side scuppers are not fitted on a fishing vessel, drainage sumps connected directly to the suction of the offal pump, or to a similar pump, shall be provided at the forward and after ends of the fish processing tween deck area.

• (12) The pump to which the drainage sumps required by subsection (11) are connected shall be automatic and so arranged that the pump will start to operate whenever water is present in the drainage sumps.

• (13) An audible alarm that operates only when water in the drainage sumps does not activate the pump in accordance with subsection (12) shall be provided in the wheelhouse.

• (14) An emergency method of draining the sumps that is independent of the fire or bilge system shall be provided.

Stern Bearings

17 Stern bearing assemblies on a fishing vessel shall consist of

• (a) a stern bearing not less than 3 1/2 shaft diameters in length;

• (b) a gland situated inside the fishing vessel; and

• (c) a watertight tube fitted between the bearing and the gland.

18 [Repealed, SOR/2021-135, s. 60]

Bulkheads

• 19 (1) Every fishing vessel shall be fitted with not less than three suitably spaced main transverse watertight bulkheads extending from the keel or horn timber to the weatherdeck, located as follows:

  • (a) in the case of fishing vessels not more than 35.1 m in length, one bulkhead shall be located at a distance from the intersection of the stem and load water line of not less than one-twentieth and not more than one-third of the length;

  • (b) in the case of fishing vessels more than 35.1 m in length, one bulkhead shall be located at a distance from the intersection of the stem and load water line of not more than 3.05 m plus one-twentieth of the length in metres;

  • (c) the other two bulkheads shall be located aft of the one mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) at positions suitable to the design of the vessel and in accordance with the plans submitted to and approved by the Board.

• (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where a fishing vessel has a completely enclosed tween deck space that is

  • (a) used as a fish processing area, and

  • (b) located entirely above the deepest load water line,

  the bulkheads specified in paragraph (1)(c) are not required to be watertight above the lower deck of the tween deck space.

• (3) Openings in watertight bulkheads shall be fitted with watertight doors of ample strength to withstand the water pressure to which they may be subjected and they shall be carefully fitted and constructed.

• (4) Where a crew space is below the main deck and adjoins or is connected to the engine room in any way, the bulkheads and decks between the engine room and the crew space shall be so constructed as to prevent the infiltration of fumes into the crew space, either by being made watertight or by the close-fitting of the materials, and any doors fitted in those bulkheads and decks shall be close fitting and as efficient in preventing the infiltration of fumes as the bulkhead or deck in which they are fitted.

19.1 To control the movement of fish carried in bulk, every fishing vessel engaged in the carriage of herring or capelin in bulk shall be provided with both longitudinal and transverse portable fish hold divisions that meet the requirements set out in Schedule X.

Hatches

• 20 (1) Scantlings of hatch coamings, beams and covers of a fishing vessel shall not be less than those set forth in Schedule II.

• (2) Hatchways shall be provided with efficient means for battening them down and making them watertight.

• (3) Flush deck scuttles on a fishing vessel shall be watertight and strongly constructed of steel, bronze or aluminum and shall have effectively secured covers that are retained on hinges or by a chain that is permanently attached to the ship’s structure.

• (4) Non-ferrous deck scuttles in a steel vessel shall be properly isolated from the steel structure of the vessel.

Ventilators

21 Ventilators on a fishing vessel shall be sufficient in number and size to provide adequate ventilation for all spaces.

Door Sills, Doorways, Side Scuttles, Wheelhouse Windows and Escape Hatches

• 22 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the sills of doors giving access to the main hull shall have a minimum height of 300 mm.

• (2) Where doors are situated on top of any superstructure, deckhouse or raised forecastle the height of sills giving access to the main hull shall not be less than 150 mm.

• (3) Side scuttles fitted below the weatherdeck shall be equipped with

  • (a) deadlights, where the diameter of the glass exceeds 150 mm; and

  • (b) deadlights or wooden plugs, where the diameter of the glass does not exceed 150 mm.

• (4) Plate glass having a minimum thickness of 6 mm shall be fitted in the wheelhouse windows of

  • (a) all new fishing vessels; and

  • (b) existing fishing vessels when replacement of these windows becomes necessary.

• (5) In the case of a fishing vessel that proceeds more than 20 nautical miles from land, where there is no other means of preventing water from entering the main hull by way of a broken window or side scuttle that is situated above the weather deck, there shall be provided

  • (a) storm shutters for windows;

  • (b) deadlights or portable steel plates for side scuttles where the diameter of the glass is more than 152 mm; and

  • (c) deadlights, portable steel plates or wooden plugs for side scuttles where the diameter of the glass is not more than 152 mm.

• (6) Subsection (5) does not apply to

  • (a) side scuttles or windows, other than forward wheel-house windows, the sills of which are more than 2.59 m above the weatherdeck; or

  • (b) any side scuttle or window if, in the opinion of the Board, the nature of the voyage makes those requirements unnecessary.

• (7) Doors giving access to the main hull shall be strongly constructed and hung on substantial hinges, and locking arrangements shall be such that a door can be opened from either side.

• (8) Where entrance to the crew space is by way of the engine room, an escape hatch shall be fitted from the crew space to the open deck.

• (8.1) Subject to subsection (8.3), a fishing vessel shall have at least two means of escape, including the main entrance, in each crew space and area in which the crew may be normally employed.

• (8.2) For the purposes of subsection (8.1), one of the means of escape shall be located as far as possible from the main entrance and may be a window or a scuttle that is of sufficient proportions to provide for easy exit by the crew members and that is capable of being retained in an open position by mechanical means while being used as an escape route.

• (8.3) The requirements of subsections (8.1) and (8.2) do not apply

  • (a) in respect of a fishing vessel the keel of which was laid before September 1, 1989; or

  • (b) where a second means of escape is not practicable owing to size limitations or to the use of the space or area in which the crew may be normally employed.

• (9) Where a single entrance only is provided to a crew space, an emergency escape hatch shall be fitted as near as possible to the centre line of the ship, but if, in the opinion of the Chairman, the fitting of such escape hatch is impracticable, the single entrance shall be of sufficient proportions to provide for easy exit for the number of men berthed and shall be as near the centre line of the ship as is practicable.

• (10) Where a single entrance only is provided to an engine room, an emergency escape hatch shall be fitted as near as possible to the centre line of the ship.

• (11) Where there is a direct access from the wheelhouse to the main hull or accommodation spaces of a fishing vessel, a gastight door shall be fitted to protect the wheelhouse from smoke in case of fire.

• (12) Where the wheelhouse of a fishing vessel is provided with a forced ventilation system, the supply duct shall be fitted with a manually operated fire damper at the bulkhead capable of being operated from inside the wheelhouse and a remote trip of the ventilation supply fan shall be installed inside the wheelhouse.

22.1 Where a shaft tunnel access cover is fitted in a fish hold, it shall be fitted and secured in such a manner as to prevent dislodgment.

Bulwarks

• 23 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), bulwarks, rails, chains, wire rope or any combination of these shall be fitted around the weatherdeck, at least 760 mm in height above the weatherdeck.

• (2) The Chairman may allow the bulwarks, rails, chains and wire rope mentioned in subsection (1) to be portable or to be dispensed with, at his discretion, at places where, in his opinion, they would interfere with the fishing operations of the vessel.

• (3) The bulwarks, rails, chains or wire rope referred to in subsection (1) may be less than 760 mm in height in way of deckhouses if suitable handrails are fitted on the sides of such deckhouses.

• (4) Subject to subsections (5) to (7), where bulwarks on weather parts of the working deck form wells, the minimum freeing port area (expressed in m²) on each side of the vessel for each well on the working deck shall be not less than the lesser of

  • (a) 0.7 + 0.035 l, where l is 20 m or less, and

  • (b) 0.07 l, where l exceeds 20 m

  where l is the lesser of the length of bulwark in the well and 70 per cent of the length of the vessel.

• (5) Where the height of the bulwark in a well on the working deck is more than 1 200 mm, the minimum freeing port area shall be increased, for each 100 mm in excess of 1 200 mm, by 0.004 m² per metre of length of well.

• (6) Where the height of the bulwark in a well on the working deck is less than 900 mm, the minimum freeing port area may be decreased, for each 100 mm less than 900 mm, by 0.004 m² per metre of length of well.

• (7) Where the vessel’s sheer is such that the minimum freeing port areas calculated in accordance with subsections (4) to (6) do not provide rapid and effective freeing of water from the deck, those areas shall be increased in order to so provide.

• (8) The minimum freeing port area for each well on a superstructure deck shall be not less than one-half the minimum freeing port area on the working deck calculated in accordance with subsections (4) to (7).

• (9) Freeing ports shall be so arranged along the length of bulwarks as to provide rapid and effective freeing of trapped water from the deck, and the lower edges of freeing ports shall be as close to the deck as possible.

• (10) Poundboards and means of stowage of fishing gear shall be arranged and stowed so that the effectiveness of freeing ports will not be impaired.

• (11) Poundboards shall be so constructed that they can be secured in position when in use and will not hamper the discharge of shipped water.

• (12) Freeing ports over 300 mm in depth shall be fitted with bars spaced not more than 230 mm apart or with other suitable protective devices.

• (13) Where the protective devices fitted in accordance with subsection (12) are covers, they shall be of approved construction.

• (14) In a vessel intended to operate in areas subject to icing, protective devices fitted in accordance with subsection (12) shall be capable of being easily removed to restrict or reduce ice accretion.

Life Saving Equipment

• 24 (1) A seine skiff shall not be considered as being life saving equipment unless it is ordinarily used in a vessel’s fishing operations.

• (2) Where the weight of a lifeboat, boat, dory or skiff exceeds 1 525 kg, davits shall be substituted for cranes.

• (3) Every fishing vessel not more than 33.5 m in length shall carry

  • (a) one approved lifejacket for each person on board the vessel;

  • (a.1) one approved immersion suit for each member of the complement if the vessel makes voyages other than home-trade voyages, Class IV and minor waters voyages, Class II;

  • (b) one approved lifebuoy fitted with 27 m of line;

  • (c) one approved lifebuoy fitted with a self-igniting light that cannot be extinguished by water;

  • (d) in the case of a vessel the keel of which was laid on or after January 6, 1965, the equipment described in one of the following subparagraphs:

    • (i) one or more boats or dories of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board, so stowed under approved single arm crane-type davits that they can readily be placed in the water on either side of the vessel, and life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate,

      • (A) if the vessel makes voyages other than inland voyages and goes beyond the limits of home-trade Class III voyages, 75 per cent of the persons on board, or

      • (B) if the vessel makes voyages other than voyages described in clause (A), half the number of persons on board,

    • (ii) one or more boats or dories on each side of the vessel, of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board, stowed under oridinary davits or approved single arm crane-type davits, and life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate,

      • (A) if the vessel makes voyages other than inland voyages and goes beyond the limits of home-trade Class III voyages, 75 per cent of the persons on board, or

      • (B) if the vessel makes voyages other than voyages described in clause (A), half the number of persons on board,

    • (iii) a boat, dory or seine skiff of sufficient capacity to accommodate at least half the number of persons on board, and in no case less than four persons, stowed under an approved single arm crane-type davit or a set of ordinary davits or a boom in the case of seine skiffs, and at least one life raft of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board,

    • (iv) a boat, dory or seine skiff not less than 5.5 m in length and capable of being placed in the water on either side of the vessel by means of an approved single arm crane-type davit or a boom in the case of a seine skiff, and

      • (A) where the boat, dory or seine skiff is capable of accommodating at least half the number of persons on board there shall also be carried one or more life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board, or

      • (B) where the boat, dory or seine skiff is not capable of accommodating at least half the number of persons on board, there shall also be carried a life raft that together with the boat, dory or seine skiff will accommodate 150 per cent of the total number of persons on board, or

    • (v) a Class 1 lifeboat not less than 4.3 m in length stowed under ordinary davits or an approved single arm crane-type davit and two equal-sized life rafts which lifeboat and life rafts collectively shall be capable of accommodating double the total number of persons on board; and

  • (e) subject to subsection (4), in the case of a vessel the keel of which was laid before September 8, 1966, the equipment described in paragraph (d) or in one of the following subparagraphs:

    • (i) one or more approved Class 1 lifeboats of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board the vessel, so stowed that they can be readily placed in the water on either side of the vessel,

    • (ii) one or more approved lifeboats on each side of the vessel, of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board, of which one lifeboat may be a Class 2 lifeboat, and the remainder shall be Class 1,

    • (iii) one or more dories of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board the vessel, so stowed that they can be readily placed in the water on either side of the vessel, or

    • (iv) one or more dories, on each side of the vessel, of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board.

• (4) Every vessel referred to in paragraph (3)(e) shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (3)(d) or carry in addition to the equipment described in paragraph (3)(e) one or more life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate

  • (a) if the vessel makes voyages other than inland voyages and goes beyond the limits of home-trade Class III voyages, 75 per cent of the persons on board; or

  • (b) if the vessel makes voyages other than voyages described in paragraph (a), half the number of persons on board.

• (5) Every fishing vessel more than 33.5 m and not more than 44.2 m in length shall carry

  • (a) one approved lifejacket for each person on board the vessel;

  • (a.1) one approved immersion suit for each member of the complement if the vessel makes voyages other than home-trade voyages, Class IV and minor waters voyages, Class II;

  • (b) two approved lifebuoys each fitted with 27 m of line;

  • (c) two approved lifebuoys each fitted with a self-igniting light that cannot be extinguished by water; and

  • (d) in the case of a vessel the keel of which was laid on or after January 6, 1965, the equipment described in one of the following subparagraphs:

    • (i) one or more approved lifeboats on each side of the vessel of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board, of which one lifeboat may be a Class 2 lifeboat and the remainder shall be Class 1 and the lifeboats shall be stowed under separate ordinary davits or approved single arm crane-type davits and, if the vessel makes voyages other than inland voyages and goes beyond the limits of home-trade Class III voyages, life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate 75 per cent of the persons on board,

    • (ii) one or more approved Class 1 lifeboats of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board, so stowed under approved single arm crane-type davits that they can readily be placed in the water on either side of the vessel, and approved life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board,

    • (iii) a Class 1 lifeboat not less than 4.3 m in length stowed under ordinary davits or an approved single arm crane-type davit and two equal-sized life rafts which lifeboat and rafts collectively shall be of sufficient capacity to accommodate double the total number of persons on board,

    • (iv) dories of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board, so stowed under ordinary davits or approved single arm crane-type davits that they can readily be placed in the water, and life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board, or

    • (v) a boat, dory or seine skiff not less than 5.5 m in length, capable of being placed in the water on either side of the vessel by means of an approved single arm crane-type davit or a boom in the case of a seine skiff, and at least two life rafts of equal size each of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board; and

  • (e) in the case of a vessel the keel of which was laid before January 6, 1965, the equipment described in one of the following subparagraphs:

    • (i) one or more approved lifeboats on each side of the vessel of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board, of which one lifeboat may be a Class 2 lifeboat and the remainder shall be Class 1,

    • (ii) one or more approved Class 1 lifeboats of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board the vessel, so stowed that they can be readily placed in the water on either side of the vessel, and in addition, sufficient boats, dories, skiffs or approved life rafts to accommodate all persons on board the vessel, or

    • (iii) dories of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board the vessel, together with life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board.

• (6) Every vessel

  • (a) equipped in accordance with subparagraph (5)(e)(i) shall, if the vessel makes voyages other than inland voyages and goes beyond the limit of home-trade Class III voyages, carry life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate 75 per cent of the persons on board; and

  • (b) equipped in accordance with subparagraph (5)(e)(ii) shall include in its equipment approved life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board.

• (7) Every fishing vessel more than 44.2 m in length shall carry

  • (a) one approved lifejacket for each person on board the vessel;

  • (a.1) one approved immersion suit for each member of the complement if the vessel makes voyages other than home-trade voyages, Class IV and minor waters voyages, Class II;

  • (b) two approved lifebuoys each fitted with 27 m of line;

  • (c) two approved lifebuoys each fitted with a self-igniting light that cannot be extinguished by water; and

  • (d) the equipment described in one of the following subparagraphs:

    • (i) one or more approved lifeboats on each side of the vessel, of sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board, of which one lifeboat may be a Class 2 lifeboat and the remainder shall be Class 1 and such lifeboats shall be stowed under separate ordinary davits or approved single arm crane-type davits, and, if the vessel makes voyages other than inland voyages and goes beyond the limits of home-trade Class III voyages, life rafts of sufficient capacity to accommodate 75 per cent of the persons on board,

    • (ii) a Class 1 lifeboat not less than 4.3 m in length stowed under ordinary davits or an approved single arm crane-type davit and two life rafts of equal size which lifeboat and rafts collectively shall be capable of accommodating double the total number of persons on board, or

    • (iii) on each side of the vessel, one or more boats, dories or seine skiffs which shall

      • (A) collectively be capable of accommodating all persons on board,

      • (B) each be not less than 5.5 m in length, and

      • (C) each be stowed under separate ordinary davits or approved single arm crane-type davits or a boom in the case of seine skiffs,

      and at least two life rafts of equal size each capable of accommodating half of all persons on board.

• (8) The number of persons that one lifeboat, boat, dory, skiff or life raft shall be deemed capable of carrying is

  • (a) in the case of an approved lifeboat, boat or life raft, the number prescribed for that equipment in the Life Saving Equipment Regulations;

  • (b) in the case of a seine skiff of normal construction built in accordance with plans accepted by the Board and fitted with internal buoyance appliances of 0.0283 m³ standard unit of capacity per person, the number determined in accordance with the following formula:

    N = (L × B × D) / 0.566

    where

    N =

    number of persons,

    L =

    overall length in metres,

    B =

    maximum breadth in metres, at level of gunwale, to outside of plank, and

    D =

    the least vertical distance in metres measured from the top of the keel to the top of the gunwale or from the top of the keel to the lowest point of the transom, whichever is the smaller dimension;

  • (c) in the case of a seine skiff of heavy construction that is built in accordance with plans accepted by the Board and is not fitted with internal buoyancy appliances, the number assigned to it by the Board;

  • (d) in the case of a dory, the length of which is

    • (i) 3.7 m, three persons,

    • (ii) 4.3 m, four persons,

    • (iii) 4.6 m, four persons,

    • (iv) 4.9 m, five persons,

    • (v) 5.2 m, five persons,

    • (vi) 5.5 m, six persons,

    • (vii) 5.8 m, six persons; and

  • (e) in the case of a boat or skiff other than a boat or skiff described in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), the number determined in accordance with the following formula:

    N = (L × B × D) / 0.75

    where

    N =

    number of persons,

    L =

    overall length in metres,

    B =

    maximum breadth in metres, at level of gunwale, to outside of plank, and

    D =

    the least vertical distance in metres measured from the top of the keel to the top of the gunwale or from the top of the keel to the lowest point of the transom, whichever is the smaller dimension.

• (9) Subject to subsection (10), there shall be stowed in each lifeboat, boat, dory or skiff required by this section

  • (a) one full bank of oars and a complete set of rowlocks or thole pins;

  • (b) where the vessel operates in salt water, one suitable container holding at least 1 L of fresh water for each person the lifeboat, boat, dory or skiff is considered capable of carrying;

  • (c) one watertight can containing 12 approved self-igniting red flares;

  • (d) one bucket and one bailer;

  • (e) two sheath knives or hatchets, except that only one sheath knife or hatchet is required for a dory;

  • (f) one boat hook or fishing gaff;

  • (g) one storm lantern with sufficient oil to burn for at least 7 hours and a watertight can of matches;

  • (h) one painter, attached to the bow;

  • (i) one dory compass; and

  • (j) one sea anchor, oil bag and 4.5 L can of vegetable oil except that such equipment is not required for a dory.

• (10) Where a boat, dory or skiff is used in the fishing operations of a vessel, the equipment prescribed by subsection (9) may be carried in a place on the vessel where it is readily available for use in an emergency in lieu of being carried on the boat, dory or skiff.

• (11) Except as otherwise specified in Schedule VII, every life raft of every vessel making foreign, home-trade Class I or home-trade Class II voyages shall carry all the equipment set out in items 1 to 24 of that Schedule, which equipment shall be known as Class A equipment.

• (12) Except as otherwise specified in Schedule VII, every life raft of every vessel making home-trade Class III, inland waters Class I, inland waters Class II or minor waters Class I voyages shall carry all the equipment set out in items 1 to 13 of that Schedule, which equipment shall be known as Class B equipment.

• (13) Every life raft of every vessel making voyages other than those referred to in subsections (11) and (12) shall carry a knife, two paddles and a heaving line with a quoit.

• (14) The weight of each seine skiff carried on board a fishing vessel shall be both established and certified to the satisfaction of an inspector who shall then cause the following details to be marked on the stem or sheer strake thereof, in permanent characters, clearly visible and as near as possible to 75 mm in height:

  • (a) the operating weight of the skiff measured in tons, when it is fully equipped with fuel and its fresh water tanks are full;

  • (b) the date on which the measurement is taken; and

  • (c) the inspector’s initials.

• (15) Every seine skiff and dory used as life saving equipment on board a fishing vessel shall be marked with retroreflective tape in the manner required by Schedule V to the Life Saving Equipment Regulations as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of Schedule XI.