GI-2024-22-reg5: Vessel Traffic Services Zones Regulations

If you own or operate a vessel of 300–499 gross tonnes on Canada's east or west coast, you are newly required to report to Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) — previously only vessels of 500 GT or more had to report in those zones. About 46 Canadian businesses operating 74 vessels are directly affected, including approximately 20 small businesses (fewer than 100 employees or under $5 million in revenue). Total compliance costs to Canadian private vessel owners and operators are estimated at $436,738 over 10 years, with small businesses facing an average annualized cost of $754 per business — primarily the time (about 30 minutes per report) to file additional sailing plan, position, and circumstantial reports by radio or email. Vessels operating in Arctic waters under NORDREG now must submit their entry report 24 hours in advance rather than just before entering, though the content of the report stays the same. Non-compliance can now result in administrative monetary penalties ranging from $260 to $10,000 per violation rather than only warnings or prosecution.