1.  TRANSPORT CANADA - REPORTING AND GUIDANCE:

Vessel Pre-Arrival:

• Report to TC Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS) - TC Special Marine Security Notice.   
  
  
• 96 and 24 hour Pre-Arrival Inspection Reports (PAIR); Pay particular attention to crew's health.
  
  
• Report if crew's health situation changes at any time after submission of 96 and 24 hour PAIR reports to TC Marine Safety and Security (TCMSS) as per coordinates below.
  
  
• Upon receiving a report, PHAC will issue directives to vessel and notify other entities as needed.
  
  

Upon Arrival or at Berth (if COVID symptoms on board):

• If COVID-19 symptoms suspected on board, inform local health authorities (click HERE for provincial details), ship's agent and TC MSS.  Local health authority will issue directives.

When Ordering a Pilot:

2. ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY - REPORTING AND GUIDANCE

Reporting Requirements:

In addition to following Transport Canada's reporting protocols (as per TC section 5 above), vessel must promptly advise nearest Seaway traffic control center in event of a crew member presenting COVID-19 symptoms:

• Montreal-Lake Ontario section - Report as per amended Seaway Notice #17.
• Niagara region - Welland Canal - Report as per amended Seaway Notice #9.

Operational Procedures:

• Limited capacity to assist ships requiring mooring lines at a lock equipped with Hands-Free mooring.  Vessels requiring this service to contact nearest Seaway traffic control centre as per Seaway Notice #9 and Seaway Notice #17.
• Limitations to interfaces for persons / service providers at all Canadian locks, as per Seaway Notice #10.
• Restrictions for pilots boarding ships at Iroquois Lock, as per revised Seaway Notice #24.
• Screening measures for personnel requesting entry to a lock via access gates and for crew members reuesting to disembark a ship at the locks.

Seaway Inspections:

• Vessels must complete Self-Inspection Report for Foreign Ships and return report to SLSMC 96 hours prior to arrival at CIP 2.  This may result in some ships being exempted from full enhanced inspection (ESI) and granted direct entry into St. Lawrence Lock, as per Seaway Notice #19.
• However, ballast water inspection will still take place, even for ships exempt from ESI.
• Inspectors will board vessels wearing protective equipment (masks, gloves, etc.).

Additional Information:

• SLSMC FAQ - Click HERE.

3.  US COAST GUARD - REPORTING AND GUIDANCE

The following provides a summary of some of the information contained in the US Coast Guard COVID 19 Marine Safety Information Bulletins. For direct access to USCG MISBs, click HERE.

Vessel Reporting Requirements:

• Any illness onboard that may adversely affect the safety of a vessel or port facility must be reported immediately to the US Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP), as must cases of persons who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.  This requirement is separate from (and in addition to) other required Coast Guard or CDC (Centres for Disease Control) reporting (as per below). See MSIB 02-20 (Change 5) for more information.
  
  
• In addition to the above, vessels destined to a US port must report to the CDC any sick or deceased crew / passengers during 15 day period prior to arrival at US port:
       - Click HERE for CDC guidance for cargo ships
       - Click HERE for CDC form for reporting illness onboard
  
  
• USCG will review "Notice of Arrivals" and coordinate with CDC quarantine stations, who will coordinate with local health authorities.
  
  

Port State Control Inspections:

• USCG will not issue deficiencies or detain vessels for expired certificates, documents or mariner credentials until October 1, 2020.
  
  
• USCG may accept evidence such as vessel status within Qualship 21, previous port state or flag state exams, recent classification surveys, pictures, video, vessel logs, etc. in lieu of Coast Guard attendance onboard to credit a required inspection or exam; or may defer a required inspection of exam for up to 90 days.
  
  
• See MSIB 09-20 for additional information.
  
  

Entry and Crew Restrictions:

• Entry restrictions on persons arriving from or through high risk countries, including Iran, China, EU states within Schengen Area, United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland - click HERE.
  
  
• Cargo vessels that have been to the countries noted above or embarked crew members from these countries within the last 14 days, which have no sick crew members on board, will be permitted to enter the US and conduct normal operations, provided crew members remain on board the vessel except to conduct specific activities directly related to vessel cargo.
  
  
• Authority to restrict shore leave resides with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the USCG and CDC (for medical matters).  Ports/terminals must coordinate with local CBP, USCG, CDC, state and local health department offices  Nothing in the Seafarer Access requirements prevents ports/terminals from maximizing options to minimze interaction that may include use of camera systems, barriers or other measures.
  
  
• See MSIB 07-20 (Change 2) for more information.
  
  

Movement of Crew and Seafarers

• Commercial shipping sector is identified as essential for continuous flow of commerce (including crew, port workers, vessel owners / operators, shipping agents, marine consultants, naval architects, marine exchanges, surveyors, etc.).
  
  
• Please note that US federal guidelines are advisory in nature and quarantine orders are up to state and local officials.  
  
  
• See MSIB 11-20 for additional information.
  
  

General Guidance:

• See US CDC Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected Coronavirus Disease - click HERE.

4. PILOTAGE AUTHORITY REQUIREMENTS & GUIDANCE

Notice to clients: March 27 & March 11  

• Advising on preventives measures (including protocols for PPE, pilot boats and offices
• APA reduced the number of pilot carried by boat to minimize risks
• Pilots instructed to follow vessel's specified protocols 
• Pilots and vessel crew to use different set of RADAR, ECDIS consoles, ROT indicators (when available)
• Over carriage of pilots to ports outside of APA jurisdiction not permitted  
• When requesting a pilot, report to dispatch center any person with symptoms
• Sanitize access and wheelhouse prior to pilot boarding
• Wherever possible, maintain safe distance of at least 2-meter

Notices to clients: March 20  & March 12

• When requesting a pilot, report to dispatch center any person with symptoms and advise if crew member's health situation changes thereafter;  

• Confirm that LPA required hygiene and protection measures have been put in place prior to pilot boarding 

• Maintain safe distance of at least 2-metre

• Pilot boats and pilot waiting rooms are sanitized daily; LPA and Pilots Corporation ensure that pilots are in good health and follow all applicable government directives

Notice to clients No. 2 & No. 3 

• When requesting a pilot (12hrs notice), report to dispatch center any person with symptoms
• Sanitize access and wheelhouse prior to pilot boarding; 
• Wherever possible, maintain safe distance of at least 2 meters

Notice to clients: March 18 & memos Victoria Dispatch & Prince Rupert:

• Information on transportation and logistics to move pilots to ships (March 30 -Notice 5/2020) 
• Pilotage orders for out of district assignments (BC to Puget Sound or reverse) will no longer be permitted  (Notice 4/2020)
• Onboard sanitation requirements prior to pilot board 
• Wherever possible, maintain safe distance of at least 2 metres
• Additional reporting requirements for vessel/crew arriving from high risk areas 

British Columbia Coat Pilots COVID-19 protocol - click here