Appendix 1

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Your Primary Responsibilities - Canada Shipping Act, 2001

A summary of the primary responsibilities for safe operation and protecting the environment follows. This appendix indicates the relevant sections of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, which is available on the Transport Canada website.

The Authorized Representative is responsible for all matters related to the vessel that are not assigned to someone else by the Act. (Section 14)

In particular, the authorized representative of a Canadian vessel is responsible for:

• ensuring that the vessel and its machinery and equipment meet the regulatory requirements;
• developing procedures for the safe operation of the vessel and for dealing with emergencies; and
• ensuring that the crew and passengers receive safety training. (Section 106)

The master, and where applicable, the Authorized Representative, is responsible for:

• using all reasonable means to make sure the vessel is seaworthy before and during each voyage;
• protecting the vessel and the people on board from hazards; and
• operating within legal limits, including maximum number of passengers. (Sections 85, 109, 110)

The master is also responsible for:

• ensuring everyone employed on the vessel has the necessary certification (Section 82(1));
• ensuring the crew is sufficient and competent for safe operation (Section 82(2));
• assisting persons in distress (Sections 130-133); and
• helping and providing information to the other vessel if involved in a collision. (Section 148)

Crew members are responsible for:

• carrying out their duties in a safe manner;
• letting the master know if they become aware of any hazard or anything else that might affect safe operations; and
• following the master's lawful orders except where the master is putting the vessel or people on board at risk. (Sections 113, 82(3))

Everyone on board has a responsibility to make sure that pollutants do not enter the water. (Section 187)

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