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5.0 Department of Fisheries and Oceans - Canadian Coast Guard

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5.1 NORDREG

NORDREG is the Arctic marine traffic system. Cruise ship operators and masters are encouraged to use the system as it is invaluable to their day to day Arctic operations. NORDREG is operated by Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) personnel. The MCTS Centres forward messages and are in continuous contact with NORDREG. The NORDREG system keeps track of all traffic north of 60° North, as well as within Ungava Bay and the southern part of Hudson Bay. This makes the service vital for search and rescue. The system is free of charge. Cruise ships requiring icebreaker assistance should contact NORDREG. Recommended routes and general ice conditions are also provided. Full information on NORDREG can be found in Canadian Annual Edition of Notices to Mariners. All accidents and incidents of marine pollution must be immediately reported to NORDREG. NORDREG operations are based in Iqaluit, Nunavut during the normal navigation season, but services are maintained from St. John’s, Newfoundland in the off-season.

5.2 Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS)

Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) is a core Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) program providing services in support of marine safety, security, environmental protection and efficient marine transportation. Service covering Canadian Arctic waters is provided through three MCTS Centres located at Thunder Bay (Churchill), Iqaluit and Inuvik (18,19). Current service lines provided by MCTS are the continuous monitoring of International Distress and Urgency mobile maritime frequencies; weather, ice and Notices to Shipping broadcast and information; ice and weather charts facsimile broadcast; communications related to pollution reporting; Marine Safety Advisory Service on the Mackenzie River and the provision of public correspondence communications.

The Canadian Marine Transportation Security Regulations require that all ships must report certain detailed information to a MCTS Centre at least 96 hours prior to arriving in Canadian waters (see Section 4.2 above).

5.3 Icebreakers and Icebreaker Escort

The Canadian Coast Guard has a number of heavy and light icebreakers available for Arctic operations. Between July and October many of these vessels are deployed in the Arctic. Priority is given to the escort and support of commercial (cargo) shipping. Cruise vessels encountering difficult ice conditions can request icebreaker assistance, but it may not be available at short notice. Operators should be aware that vessels not participating in NORDREG will receive lower priority in requesting icebreaker assistance than those vessels making daily position reports. Currently, there is no charge for icebreaker assistance in the Canadian Arctic.

5.4 Search and Rescue and Medical

The Canadian Forces (CF) have overall responsibility for co-ordination of Search and Rescue (SAR) activities in Canada, including Arctic waters and the high seas off the coasts of Canada, and for the provision of dedicated SAR aircraft in support to marine SAR incidents. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) co-ordinates marine SAR activities within this zone, in co-operation with CF, and provides dedicated marine SAR vessels in strategic locations. All Canadian Government ships are available for search and rescue duties when required. Any MCTS Centre is to be advised of any incident requiring assistance.

Rescue Co-ordination Centres (RCC) are maintained at Victoria, British Columbia, Trenton, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia (5,6,7). These centres are staffed 24 hours a day by Canadian Forces and Canadian Coast Guard personnel. In addition, Marine Rescue Sub-Centres (MRSC), staffed by Coast Guard personnel are maintained at St. John's, Newfoundland and at Québec City, Québec (9,8) to co-ordinate local marine SAR operations.

Additional information on Search and Rescue Services in Canadian waters can be found in the following publications, available from the Canadian Hydrographic Service (21):

  • Sailing Directions Arctic Canada Vol. 1 Fourth Edition Chapter 1;
  • Canadian Annual Edition of Notices to Mariners Section D.

5.5 Oceans Strategy

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has developed an integrated Oceans Strategy for Canada (http://www.cos-soc.gc.ca/doc/publications_e.asp). The strategy is built on the three principles of sustainable development, integrated management, and the precautionary approach.

The strategy will identify areas of interest for special protection including areas specified by the Oceans Act, Marine Conservation Areas and Marine Wildlife Sanctuaries. Operators should contact Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Winnipeg (22) with details of their planned activities for further information on specific requirements.

5.6 Oil Spills

Any incident involving the spillage of oil or petroleum lubricating products into the marine environment must be reported immediately to NORDREG. In addition, the operator should report the incident to the 24-hour Spill Report Centre at the following numbers:

Nunavut and Northwest Territories: (867) 920-8130
Yukon: (867) 667-7444

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Date modified:
2010-01-18