Transport Canada works closely with the Canadian Coast Guard. The duties of these two organizations are divided into the following areas of responsibility:
Transport Canada
- Approval under the Arctic Shipping Pollution Prevention Regulations ( ASPPR ) of the specifications, schedules, and itineraries of vessels;
- Regulatory development and administration;
- Arctic Ice Regime Shipping System ( AIRSS );
- Navigating equipment requirements;
- Marine safety;
- Pollution prevention;
- Ballast water exchange;
- Security;
- Port State Control.
Canadian Coast Guard (Department of Fisheries and Oceans)
- Icebreaker escort;
- Search and rescue in conjunction with the Canadian Armed Forces;
- NORDREG vessel traffic management and position reporting and other communications;
- Pollution incident response;
- Marine Communications and Traffic Services ( MCTS ) Centres provide continuous monitoring of the international maritime distress and urgency radio frequencies. A continuous watch on the International safety Digital Selective Calling high frequencies ( HF/DSC ) is also provided as part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System ( GMDSS );
- Fax and e-mail services.