Canal Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1564)

Marine Railways

• 77 (1) No operator of a vessel shall permit his vessel to use

  • (a) the 18 tonne marine railway at Big Chute if that vessel exceeds 18 tonnes in weight or exceeds 1.2 metres in draught, 4.1 metres in overall beam or 15.2 metres in length; or

  • (b) the 90 tonne marine railway at Big Chute if that vessel exceeds 90 tonnes in weight or exceeds 1.8 metres in draught, 7.3 metres in overall beam or 30.4 metres in length.

• (2) The Superintendent may deny a vessel the use of a marine railway referred to in subsection (1) where, in his opinion, the character or condition of the vessel is such as to endanger the railway, the equipment or an operator of the railway or any other person or vessel.

SAULT STE. MARIE (CANADA) CANAL

Application

• 77.1 (1) Section 11, subsections 14(1) and (2), 16(1) and 18(2), sections 20, 22 and 24, subsections 25(3) to (6), 26(1) and (2), section 29, subsections 30(1) and (3), section 31, subsection 34(3), section 47 and subsections 49(1) and (2) do not apply to a vessel that transits the Sault Ste. Marie (Canada) Canal.

• (2) Sections 77.11 to 77.31 apply to every vessel that transits the Sault Ste. Marie (Canada) Canal.

Maximum Vessel Dimensions

• 77.11 (1) No vessel of more than 222.5 m in overall length or 23.16 m in extreme breadth, including permanent fenders, shall transit the Sault Ste. Marie (Canada) Canal.

• (2) No vessel shall transit the Sault Ste. Marie (Canada) Canal if any part of the vessel or anything on the vessel extends more than 35.66 m above water level.

• (3) No vessel shall transit the Sault Ste. Marie (Canada) Canal if any part of its bridges or anything on the vessel protrudes beyond the hull.

Draught Markings

• 77.12 (1) Every vessel of more than 19.81 m in overall length shall be correctly and distinctly marked and equipped with draught markings on both sides at the bow and stern.

• (2) In addition to the markings required by subsection (1), a vessel of more than 106.68 m in overall length shall be marked on both sides with midship draught markings.

Landing Booms

77.13 Every vessel of more than 45.72 m in overall length shall be equipped with at least one adequate landing boom on each side.

Radio Equipment and Communication

• 77.14 (1) A self-propelled vessel of more than 19 m in overall length shall be equipped with VHF radiotelephone equipment.

• (2) The master of a vessel equipped with radiotelephone equipment who desires passage through or departure from the canal shall contact station VDX23 on reaching Six Mile Point, known as C.I.P. No. 17 and Brush Point, known as C.I.P. No. 18.

• (3) During the period a vessel is between C.I.P. 17 and C.I.P. 18, the master of the vessel shall

  • (a) cause the radiotelephone system to be monitored;

  • (b) transit the canal according to the instructions of the vessel traffic controller;

  • (c) report immediately any change of destination; and

  • (d) use channel 16 V.H.F. only for calling in, monitoring and distress purposes.

• (4) The master of a vessel equipped with radiotelephone and intending to proceed to or depart from a wharf shall so advise station VDX23.

Mooring Lines

• 77.15 (1) The mooring lines of every vessel shall

  • (a) be of a uniform thickness throughout their length;

  • (b) be fitted with a spliced eye not less than 2.44 m long;

  • (c) have sufficient strength to check the vessel; and

  • (d) be arranged so that they may be led to either side of the vessel as required.

• (2) Unless otherwise permitted by an officer, only wire rope mooring lines shall be used for securing a vessel in lock chambers.

• (3) Synthetic lines may be used for mooring at approach walls, tie-up walls and docks if they have a breaking strength that complies with the minimum specifications set out in the table to this section.

• (4) Every vessel of 38.1 m or less in overall length shall have at least two good and sufficient mooring lines or hawsers that are so arranged as to lock the vessel under control and in safety.

• (5) Every vessel of more than 38.1 m in overall length shall have at least four good and sufficient mooring lines or hawsers that are so arranged as to lock the vessel under control and in safety.

  Item	Column I	Column II	Column III
  	Vessel Length	Length of Mooring Line	Breaking Strength
  1	38 m to  61 m	110 m	89 kN
  2	62 m to  91 m	110 m	134 kN
  3	92 m to 121 m	110 m	178 kN
  4	122 m to 182 m	110 m	250 kN
  5	183 m to 223 m	110 m	312 kN

Hand Lines

• 77.16 (1) The hand lines of every vessel shall

  • (a) be made of manilla or other material acceptable to the Superintendent; and

  • (b) have a minimum diameter of 12.7 mm and a minimum length of 30.48 m.

• (2) Knotted or weighted hand lines shall not be used in the lock chamber.

Speed Limits

• 77.17 (1) The maximum speed over the bottom for a vessel of more than 12.19 m in overall length in the Sault Ste. Marie (Canada) Canal channel shall be so regulated as not to adversely affect other vessels or shore property and in no event shall such a vessel proceed at a maximum speed in excess of 6.1 knots (11 km/h).

• (2) Every vessel under way shall proceed at a reasonable speed so as not to cause undue delay to other vessels.

Meeting and Passing

• 77.18 (1) The meeting and passing of vessels shall be governed by the Rules of the Road for the Great Lakes.

• (2) No vessel shall meet another vessel within the limit of approach signs at bridges or within any area that is designated as a “no meeting area” by signs erected by the Superintendent at that area.

• (3) Except as instructed by the vessel traffic controller, no vessel shall overtake and pass or attempt to overtake and pass another vessel

  • (a) within 609.6 m of the Sault Ste. Marie (Canada) Canal entrance;

  • (b) after the order of passing through has been established by the vessel traffic controller; or

  • (c) between the western end of the Vidal Shoal Cut and the upper entrance of the lock.

Vessels in Tow

77.19 No vessel that is not self-propelled shall be underway in the canal unless it is securely tied to an adequate tug or tugs in accordance with special instructions given by the Superintendent.

Employment of Tugs

77.20 No tug shall be fastened alongside a vessel in the canal so that the aggregate of the beams exceeds 16.76 m.

Order of Passing Through

77.21 Every vessel shall advance to the lock in the order instructed by the vessel traffic controller.

Draught of Vessels

77.22 Every vessel with draught in excess of 4.5 m shall clear their transit in the canal with the vessel traffic controller by radiotelephone on reaching C.I.P. No. 17 or C.I.P. No. 18.

Tying up of Vessels

77.23 Where the master of a vessel wishes to tie up the vessel to a lock wall or tie-up wall, he shall request permission to do so from the officer in charge of the wall and, unless otherwise directed by the officer, shall tie up the vessel as set out in the table to this section.

Preparing Vessel Lines for Passing Through

77.24 Before a vessel enters the lock,

• (a) sufficient lengths of mooring lines to reach the mooring posts on the lock walls shall be drawn off the winch drums and laid out on the deck; and

• (b) the eye of each mooring line shall be passed outward through the fairleads at the side.

Entering the Lock

• 77.25 (1) No vessel shall proceed into the lock in such a manner that the stem passes the “STOP/ARRÊT” sign on the lock wall nearest the closed gates.

• (2) Every vessel proceeding into the lock shall be positioned and moored as directed by the officer in charge of the lock.

Emergency Procedure

77.26 When the speed of a vessel entering the lock chamber has to be checked immediately, the master or the officer in charge of the mooring operation shall order all mooring lines to be put out as soon as possible and the master shall signal a full check by sounding a series of five or more short blasts of the vessel’s whistle.

Tandem Lockage

77.27 Where two or more vessels are being locked together, vessels astern of the leading vessel shall

• (a) come to a full stop a sufficient distance from the preceding vessel to avoid a collision; and

• (b) be moved into mooring position as directed by the officer in charge of the lock.

Mooring in the Lock

77.28 No winch from which a mooring line runs shall be operated until the officer in charge of a mooring operator has signalling that the line has been placed on a mooring post.

Attending Lines

• 77.29 (1) Lines of a vessel shall be under visual control and attended by at least one member of the vessel’s crew during the period that the vessel is passing through the lock.

• (2) Where a vessel that is not equipped with mooring winches is in the lock, each line of the vessel shall be attended by one member of the crew.

Leaving the Lock

77.30 No vessel shall proceed out of the lock until the exit gates are in a fully open position and the officer in charge directs the vessel to cast off.

Explosive, Flammable and Otherwise Dangerous Cargo

77.31 Where cargo that consists in whole or in part of any explosive, flammable or otherwise dangerous goods, including empty tanks that are not free of gas is being transported in a vessel, the master of that vessel shall ensure that the requirements of the Dangerous Goods Shipping Regulations are complied with.

LACHINE CANAL

Navigation Restricted to Pleasure Craft

77.32 No vessel, other than pleasure craft, shall navigate between lock No. 5 and the point east of Wellington Basin at which the canal is infilled.

PART IIIGeneral

78 Every person who violates subsection 23(1), section 27, 56 to 63, 66, 67, 71 or 72 is liable to a penalty not exceeding $25.

79 Every person who violates section 18, 24, 29, 30, 32, 47 or 48, subsection 49(4) or section 50 is liable to a penalty not exceeding $200.

80 Every person who violates section 5, 12, subsection  23(2), (3) or (4),  section 28 or subsection 49(1), (2) or (3) is liable to a penalty not exceeding $400.

81 Every person who violates any section of these Regulations, for the violation of which no penalty is elsewhere provided in these Regulations, is liable to a penalty not exceeding $100.

82 Every person shall comply with any order, direction or instructions given to him pursuant to these Regulations.

83 No person shall obstruct an officer or employee in the execution of his duty under these Regulations and no person shall address any canal officer or employee while on duty with profane or abusive language.

84 The owner of a vessel and the person in charge of a vehicle, animal or other thing, by means of or in relation to which any of these Regulations have been violated, is liable for the penalties prescribed for such violation as is any other person who may be liable under these Regulations for such violation.

• 85 (1) Where, in the opinion of the Chief, Superintending Engineer or the Superintendent, any person has incurred any charges, damages or penalties under these Regulations in respect of any transaction, matter or thing, the Chief, Superintending Engineer or Superintendent may estimate the amount of the charges, damages or penalties that in his opinion have been incurred or ought to be paid.

• (2) The Chief, Superintending Engineer or Superintendent may seize any vessel, vehicle, animal, or other thing by or in relation to which any charges, damages or penalties have in his opinion been incurred and may detain it until the amount estimated in respect thereof under subsection (1) has been paid or until security, in cash, for the payment of such amount is deposited with the Minister.

• (3) If, within 30 days after anything has been seized under this section, the amount estimated under this section in respect thereof is not paid and no deposit is made as security for the payment thereof, the thing seized and detained may be sold by public auction and the proceeds applied in payment of the amount so estimated and the balance, if any, shall be paid to the owner of the thing seized.

• (4) Payment of the amount of any penalty estimated under this section operates in full satisfaction thereof and no further penalties are payable by the same person in respect of the same transaction, matter or thing.