Government of Canada navigation bar

Symbol of the Government of Canada

Primary site navigation bar

Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations

Previous Page | Next Page

image: tugboat on the water

Regulations under CSA 2001 also govern the marking of any private buoy used to restrict navigation (for example, speed limits, keep-out areas). Under the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR), requests for restrictions:

  • are originated by local authorities; and then
  • are sent to Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety for final review and publication in the regulations.

Quebec, Alberta and Ontario each have a designated provincial authority. In those provinces, the Provincial authority reviews the applications before they are submitted to Transport Canada.

NOTE: Under the CSA 2001, the VORR prohibit the placing of signs or symbols on control buoys and keep-out buoys unless they are otherwise authorized under the Act or another Act of Parliament, such as the NWPA.

To comply with the main principles of the VORR:

  1. Do not place a sign that restricts the operation of any vessel in Canadian waters without the authorization of the Minister. Signs must comply with VORR requirements.
  2. Do not change, hide, damage or destroy any authorized sign or use a sign for mooring purposes.
  3. Respect restrictions conveyed in an authorized sign when boating.
  4. Do not hold a sporting, recreational, or public event in waters specified in Schedule 8 of the VORR, unless authorized by a permit issued by the Minister.
  5. Do not hold a sporting, recreational, or public event in any waters in a manner or at a place that would unnecessarily obstruct navigation.

Under the VORR, an enforcement officer may direct or prohibit the movement of vessels to ensure compliance with the requirements for safe vessel operation.

NOTE: Any person who does not comply with these regulations may be charged with an offense. In provinces where the provisions of the Contraventions Act apply, offenders will normally be ticketed. A schedule of fines is shown in the Contraventions Regulations at: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-38.7/

image: a couple on a sailboat

Previous Page | Next Page

Date modified:
2010-01-14