Transport Canada issues another fine for non-respect of the speed restriction in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

OTTAWA, Dec. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Transport Canada continues to take action to help ensure navigational safety and to protect the marine environment.

A penalty of $6,000 has been issued to the vessel C.T.M.A. Vacancier  for alleged non-compliance with a temporary mandatory vessel slowdown. The vessel owner has 30 days to pay the penalty or to ask the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada to review the facts of the violation or the amount of the penalty.

Transport Canada is examining all reported cases of non-compliance, on a case-by-case basis.

This past August, Transport Canada implemented a temporary mandatory slowdown of vessels 20 metres or more to a maximum of 10 knots due to the increased presence of whales  in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence, between the Quebec north shore and just north of Prince Edward Island.

While the shipping industry in general has been proactive in respecting the speed limits, the Government of Canada is determined to have the temporary mandatory slowdown respected by all vessels in the designated area of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

The temporary mandatory slowdown will remain in effect until the whales have migrated away from the area of concern. Transport Canada continues to assist Fisheries and Oceans Canada in monitoring the migration of the whales in this area.

Quote

"Our government is determined to promote the safe coexistence of ship traffic and the marine environment in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. We are committed to ensuring that all vessels meet the temporary speed limit and we will continue to take all appropriate action to ensure the safety of the whales."

The Honourable Marc Garneau   
Minister of Transport

Associated Links

• Notices to Shipping / Right whale deaths in Gulf of St. Lawrence: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/environmental-environnement/narightwhale-baleinenoirean/index-eng.html
• News Release: Transport Canada issues Gulf of St. Lawrence speed restriction fine  
• Administrative Enforcement Action Summaries : https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/rsqa-cea-aeas-2017-4562.html

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SOURCE Transport Canada