Transport Canada
www.tc.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Institutional links
Marine Transportation
Browse Marine Resources
Marine Contact Information
Browse By Mode
Browse By Subject
About Us
Reference
Looking for more information? Have questions about something you read in this guide? This section provides contact information for Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety, as well as for some other organizations mentioned in this guide. It also provides direct website links to specific topics and publications on boating safety.
Quick Reference Cards
Also available at www.tc.gc.ca/transact.
Sail Plan
To make filing your sail plan easy, simply photocopy this card and fill in the blanks.
Sail Plan
Owner Information
Name: _______________________________________
Address: _____________________________________
___________________
Boat Name:_______________
Licence or Registration Number:
____________________
Colour:
Radio Channels Monitored: _______ HF: ___ VHF: ___ MF: ___
MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) Number:__________________________
Satellite or Cellular Telephone Number: __________________________
Safety Equipment on Board:
___________
___________
___________________________
number and type)
_________________
Other Safety Equipment: _______________________________________
Trip Details - Update These Details Every Trip
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
___________________
__________________________
____________________
__________________________
____________________________________________
Lateral Buoys and Standard Daybeacons
LATERAL BUOYS
Bifurcation (red and green bands)
You may pass this buoy on either side when moving upstream. The colour of the top band shows which is the main or preferred channel. For example: keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side.
Port (green can)
Keep this buoy on your port (left) side when going upstream.
Port (green pillar)
Keep this buoy on your port (left) side when going upstream.
Port (green spar)
Keep this buoy on your port (left) side when going upstream.
Starboard (red spar)
Keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side when going upstream.
Starboard (red conical)
Keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side when going upstream.
Starboard (red pillar)
Keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side when going upstream.FAIRWAY
This buoy marks safe water at landfalls, channel entrances or channel centres. While it may be passed on either side, it should be kept to the port (left) side when going in either direction.
ISOLATED DANGER
This buoy marks an isolated danger, such as a small shoal or a wreck, that has navigable water all around it. Consult the chart to learn the size, depth, etc. of the danger.
STANDARD DAYBEACONS
Port Hand
When going upstream, keep a port hand daybeacon on your port (left) side.
Starboard Hand
When proceeding upstream, must be kept on the vessel's starboard (right) side.
Junction (Preferred channel to right)
This daybeacon marks a point where the channel divides and may be passed on either side. If you want to take the channel to your right, keep this daybeacon on your port (left) side.
Junction (Preferred channel to left)
This daybeacon marks a point where the channel divides and may be passed on either side. If you want to take the channel to your left, keep this daybeacon on your starboard (right) side.
CARDINAL BUOYS
- Yellow and black
- White lights – flash characters indicated below (if equipped)
- The points of the 2 topmark cones tell you where to find safe water
- Topmark cones show where the black bands are placed on the buoy
- Letterhead – no numbers
- White retroreflective material
SPECIAL BUOYS
Description
- Shapes have no special meaning
- May be lettered – no numbers
- Cautionary, scientific and anchorage buoys may display a yellow “X” topmark
- Yellow lights – flash characters (if equipped)
- Retroreflective material of the same colour as required markings; white buoys will display yellow material
A cautionary buoy marks dangers such as firing ranges, underwater pipelines, race courses, seaplane bases and areas where no through channel exists.
An anchorage buoy marks the outer limits of designated anchorage areas. Consult the chart for water depth.
A mooring buoy is used for mooring or securing vessels. Be aware that when you see one, a vessel may be secured to it.
An information buoy displays information such as locality, marina, campsite, etc. inside the orange square.
A hazard buoy marks random hazards such as shoals and rocks. Information is illustrated inside the orange diamond.
Obey the speed limits, wash restrictions, etc. illustrated inside the orange circle.
A keep out buoy marks areas your vessel may not enter.
An ocean data acquisition system buoy collects weather and other scientific data.
A diving buoy marks an area where scuba or other such diving activity is in progress. It is not normally charted.
Swimming
A swimming buoy marks the outer limits of swimming areas. It may not be charted.
Rules of the Road
Port: If a power-driven vessel approaches within this sector, maintain your course and speed with caution.
Starboard:If any vessel approaches within this sector, keep out of its way. (Note: This rule may not always apply if one or both vessels are sail boats.)
Stern: If any vessel approaches this sector, maintain your course and speed with caution.
A blows one blast and alters course to starboard.
B blows one blast and alters course to starboard.
A keeps clear of and must avoid crossing ahead of B.
Any vessel overtaking another must keep clear.
A keeps clear of B
B keeps clear of D
C keeps clear of A and B
D keeps clear of A and C
A power-driven vessel keeps clear of a sailing vessel.
Distress Signals
MARINE RADIO
Distress call
Use: 2182 kHz (MF) or channel 16, 156.8 MHz (VHF) DSC alert, channel 70 (only for DSC type radios and where the service is offered)
Calling procedures
Mayday
Mayday
Mayday
Pan-Pan
Pan-Pan
Pan-Pan
- Give vessel name and call sign
- State position of vessel
- Describe nature of emergency
EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATING RADIOBEACON (EPIRBs)
Use Alarm Signal
CODE FLAGS
N
Over
C
BALL
over or under
SQUARE
DISTRESS CLOTH
To attract attention: spread on cabin or deck top, or fly from mast.
ARM SIGNAL
Keep raising and lowering outstretched arms.
SOUND SIGNALS
Make continuous sound with any fog-signalling apparatus. Fire a signal gun or other explosive signal at one-minute intervals.
FLARES
Type A: Parachute Rocket Flares
Type B: Multi-Star Flares
Type C: Hand-Held Flares
Type D: Smoke Signals (Buoyant or Hand-Held)
DYE MARKER
FLASHLIGHT
Or other light source
