Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1486)

Construction of Hulls

• 21 (1) Where the engine room and crew space of a fishing vessel exceeding 15.2 m but not exceeding 24.4 m in length are in adjoining compartments or are connected in any way, the bulkheads or decks between the engine room and the crew spaces shall be either

  • (a) watertight, or

  • (b) closely fitted to prevent fumes from the engine room entering the crew spaces,

  and access openings in such bulkheads or decks shall be fitted with doors or covers of similar construction.

• (2) Where, on a fishing vessel not exceeding 15.2 m in length,

  • (a) the engine room and the crew spaces are in adjoining compartments or connected in any way, or

  • (b) the crew spaces open to the engine room,

  the inlet and outlet ventilation area required by section 22 shall each be increased by 2 000 mm² for each member of the crew berthed in such compartment.

• 22 (1) An engine room on a fishing vessel shall be provided with ventilators of a total cross-sectional area of not less than 16 000 mm².

• (2) Crew sleeping spaces on a fishing vessel shall be provided with inlet ventilators and exhaust ventilators of a sufficient size and number to ensure that the total inlet area and the total exhaust area are each not less than 2 000 mm² for each berthed crew member.

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

• (2) Hatchways on a fishing vessel 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 permanently attached to the ship’s structure.

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

• 24 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a fishing vessel shall be fitted with two main transverse watertight bulkheads, one located forward of amidships at a distance not exceeding 35 per cent of the length of the vessel and the other located aft of amidships at a distance not exceeding 45 per cent of the length of the vessel, and the construction of the bulkheads shall be in accordance with Schedule III.

• (1.1) The main transverse watertight bulkheads may be constructed otherwise than in accordance with Schedule III if they provide at least equivalent strength and watertightness.

• (2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of

  • (a) a fishing vessel of open construction; or

  • (b) a fishing vessel operating in fresh water where the keel of the fishing vessel was laid prior to May 1, 1988.

24.1 Every fishing vessel carrying fish in bulk that exhibit free surface effect shall be provided with both longitudinal and transverse portable fish hold divisions that meet the requirements of in Schedule VIII.

24.2 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.

25 Stern posts and shaft logs on a fishing vessel shall be sufficiently large to enable tailshafts of diameters required by section 19 to be fitted without unduly weakening the structure.

• 26 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the sills of doors giving access to the main hull of a fishing vessel shall have a minimum height of 300 mm of which at least 230 mm shall be permanent and the remaining height of sill may be portable, if they are properly stowed in convenient positions.

• (2) Where doors are situated on top of any superstructure, deck house or raised forecastle on a fishing vessel, the height of permanent sills shall be at least 150 mm.

• 27 (1) Where side scuttles are fitted below the weatherdeck of a fishing vessel, deadlights or plugs, attached by hinges or a chain, shall be provided adjacent to the scuttle.

• (2) Where a fishing vessel proceeds more than 20 nautical miles from land and there is no method of preventing water from entering the main hull through a broken window or port light, storm shutters and deadlights respectively shall be fitted to those openings.

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

  • (a) all new fishing vessels; and

  • (b) new vessels when replacement of those windows becomes necessary.

• (4) All doors giving access to the main hull of a fishing vessel shall be strongly constructed and hung on substantial hinges and locking arrangements shall be such that a door can be opened from either side.

• (4.1) Subject to subsection (4.3), 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.

• (4.2) For the purposes of subsection (4.1), 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 while being used as an escape route.

• (4.3) The requirements of subsections (4.1) and (4.2) do not apply

  • (a) in respect of a fishing vessel the keel of which was laid prior to May 1, 1988; or

  • (b) in respect of a fishing vessel where a second means of escape is not practicable due to the size limitations or spatial layout of a crew space or an area in which the crew may be normally employed.

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

• (6) Where exit from the crew space of a fishing vessel to the open deck is provided by one means only, it 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.

• (7) Two engine room entrances providing easy access, each measuring at least 560 mm by 560 mm, shall be fitted on a fishing vessel unless this is not practicable, in which case one engine room entrance shall be fitted that is placed as near the centre line of the vessel as is practicable and that measures

  • (a) in the case of a vessel exceeding 15.2 m and not exceeding 24.4 m in length, at least 610 mm by 1 220 mm; and

  • (b) in the case of a vessel not exceeding 15.2 m in length, at least 610 mm by 915 mm.

• 28 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), bulwark, rails, chains, wire rope or any combination of these shall be fitted around the weather deck of a fishing vessel at least 760 mm in height above the weatherdeck.

• (2) The bulwarks, rails, chains and wire rope referred to in subsection (1) may be portable or be dispensed with in places where 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.

29 [Repealed, SOR/2016-163, s. 16]

• 29.1 (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4), where bulwarks on weather parts of the working deck of a fishing vessel form wells, the minimum freeing port area, expressed in square metres, in respect of each such bulwark shall be not less than

  • (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, expressed in metres, is the lesser of the length of bulwark in the well and 70 per cent of the length of the vessel.

• (2) 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.

• (3) 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.

• (4) Where the vessel’s sheer is such that the minimum freeing port areas, calculated in accordance with subsections (1) to (3), do not provide rapid and effective freeing of water from the deck, those areas shall be increased by such amount as will provide rapid and effective freeing of water from the deck.

• (5) The freeing ports of every fishing vessel shall be arranged along the length of bulwarks so as to provide rapid and effective freeing of water from the deck of the vessel, and the lower edges of the freeing ports shall be as close to the deck as possible.

• (6) On every fishing vessel, poundboards shall be stowed, and means of stowage of fishing gear shall be arranged, in such a manner that the effectiveness of the freeing ports of the vessel is not impaired.

• (7) Every poundboard on a fishing vessel shall be so constructed that it can be secured in position when in use and will not hamper the rapid and effective freeing of water from the deck of the vessel.

• (8) Every freeing port over 300 mm in depth of a fishing vessel, shall be fitted with bars spaced not more than 230 mm apart, or with other suitable protective devices.

• (9) Where the protective devices fitted in accordance with subsection (8) are covers, they shall be of a construction approved by the Minister.

• (10) In a fishing vessel intended to operate in areas subject to icing, protective devices fitted in accordance with subsection (8) shall be capable of being easily removed to restrict or reduce ice accretion.

30 [Repealed, SOR/2016-163, s. 17]

31 [Repealed, SOR/2016-163, s. 17]

32 [Repealed, SOR/2016-163, s. 17]

33 [Repealed, SOR/2016-163, s. 17]

34 [Repealed, SOR/2016-163, s. 17]

34.1 [Repealed, SOR/2016-163, s. 17]

Fire Extinguishing Equipment

35 [Repealed, SOR/2016-163, s. 18]

36 [Repealed, SOR/2016-163, s. 18]

37 [Repealed, SOR/2016-163, s. 18]

• 38 (1) Every fishing vessel exceeding 12.2 m in length shall be equipped with at least one hand or engine driven pump and apparatus whereby a suitable jet of water can be directed into any part of the ship.

• (2) The internal diameter of the pipes for the pump mentioned in subsection (1) shall be not less than 19 mm.

• (3) Subject to subsection (4), bilge pumps on a fishing vessel may be used as fire pumps by using them to pump sea water on deck.

• (4) Where two bilge pumps are required on a fishing vessel, neither pump shall be used to pump sea water on deck unless it is possible for one bilge pump to pump bilge water overboard while the other pumps sea water on deck.

• (5) Subject to subsection (6), the piping for a fire pump on a fishing vessel shall be of steel, bronze or other material that is suitable for the purpose, and the joints for such piping shall be flanged or screwed.

• (6) 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.