No. H092/02For release - August 22, 2002
OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced that Transport Canada has given the Transportation Safety Board its second update on action taken to further improve the safety of small passenger vessels since the sinking of the True North II on June 16, 2000, in Tobermory, Ontario.
Mr. Collenette also announced today that he has provided the Ontario Coroner with a formal response to the recommendations made in the Coroner's inquest into the accident.
"Transport Canada continues to work to prevent tragedies like the sinking of the True North II," said Mr. Collenette. "Since Transport Canada's first update in February 2002, the department has made considerable progress in addressing the Transportation Safety Board's concerns by developing new, more stringent regulations, and continuing to implement improved inspection and certification processes for small passenger vessels."
The latest update also provides information on the progress of safety measures that were initiated by Transport Canada in May 2001.
Since the February 2002 update, Transport Canada has amended small passenger vessel regulations to require that safety briefings be given to passengers on or before a vessel's departure from any location in Canada, and that life rafts, if carried, float free in the event of a vessel sinking. Transport Canada has also developed and implemented a training program that focuses on small passenger vessel inspections.
Transport Canada will continue to report publicly on its progress until all of the safety initiatives recommended by the Board have been implemented.
"We remain committed to working with the Transportation Safety Board and our partners in the marine community to maintain and enhance marine safety in Canada," added Mr. Collenette. "We also remain vigilant in our efforts to instill a stronger safety culture within Canada's marine community."
Backgrounders on action taken by Transport Canada in response to the Transportation Safety Board's and the Coroner's recommendations are attached.
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BACKGROUNDER
ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THETRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS
On May 11, 2001, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) made three recommendations to Transport Canada:
initiate a review of the deficiencies in its inspection and certification processes;
develop an approach to safety that would enable the identification and correction of all unsafe practices and conditions; and
require small vessel operators to take specific actions to improve safety, such as briefing passengers about safety equipment and emergency procedures.
On February 6, 2002, Transport Canada issued a news release that outlined the department's actions in response to the Transportation Safety Board's recommendations.
The following is an update on these actions:
Transport Canada has developed and implemented (in March 2002) a training program that focuses specifically on small passenger vessel inspections, and seeks to instill a stronger safety culture within Transport Canada's inspector community.
The department amended the Small Vessel Regulations and Life Saving Equipment Regulations, effective May 1, 2002, and March 14, 2002, respectively. These amendments require vessel operators to give safety briefings to passengers on or before a vessel's departure. They also require that any life rafts carried by passenger vessels less than 25 metres in length float free in the event of the vessel sinking.
Proposed regulatory amendments have been developed to require the stowage of lifesaving equipment in a readily accessible manner. Transport Canada has accelerated this process so that these regulations can come into force in 2003, before the earlier stated date of 2005.
Transport Canada has initiated a study to determine if current distress alerting methods and requirements for small commercial vessels are adequate. The study, which follows the TSB recommendation to provide operators of small passenger vessels with the means to immediately alert others of an emergency situation, will be presented to the Canadian Marine Advisory Council in November 2002.
Transport Canada will continue to study a risk-based inspection regime for small passenger vessels, expected to be completed by December 2002. In the interim, the department will continue to implement its Small Vessel Monitoring and Inspection Program, in addition to the existing compliance program, to further enhance passenger and operator education, improve standards, and focus efforts and resources on small passenger vessels.
Prior to the TSB's recommendations, Transport Canada took a number of steps to enhance small passenger vessel safety, including:
initiating a review of regulations and standards that apply to small passenger vessels to ensure that issues such as watertight integrity, weathertightness, and downflooding are properly addressed;
improving the quality and control of inspections to ensure that deficiencies and shortcomings are promptly identified, reported and corrected;
developing clearer and more comprehensive guidelines to control and harmonize inspection reports;
developing initiatives to improve the recruitment, training, and monitoring of inspectors, while ensuring consistency across Canada; and
issuing Ship Safety Bulletins to the marine community to cover a number of subjects, including guidelines for voyage planning, the stowage of inflatable life rafts with float-free arrangements, and Transport Canada's Small Passenger Vessel Compliance Program.
August 2002
BACKGROUNDER
ACTION IN RESPONSE TO CORONER'S RECOMMENDATIONS
On July 5, 2001, the jury of the Ontario Coroner's inquest into the sinking of the True North II presented a total of 44 recommendations to Transport Canada.
The department has addressed all of the Coroner's recommendations and has taken a number of actions, including:
Developing a variety of technological tools for marine inspectors - such as checklists, computer applications, and procedures manuals - to facilitate and streamline the inspection process. For example, an "Inspector's Corner" has been created on Transport Canada's Intranet site to provide clear information on new or amended policies and regulations. In addition, a "Virtual Bookshelf" CD Rom is being developed as a single source of reference containing information on inspection instructions, bulletins and notices, existing and new Canadian regulations, acts and standards, and international standards and conventions from the International Maritime Organization. (Coroner's recommendations 24, 28, and 41)
Reviewing and improving the department's Ship Inspection Reporting System and related training. The improved system will be more comprehensive, and will include information such as references to Transport Canada's Board of Steamship Inspection decisions, and information pertaining to safety equipment on board vessels. The new system will also serve as a tool for managers to control and harmonize inspection reports. (Coroner's recommendations 30, 31, 42, and 46)
Modifying wording such as "fine and clear weather" on ship inspection certificates to eliminate any uncertainty with regard to voyage restrictions. (Coroner's recommendation 20)
Adding information in the marine inspectors' training syllabus on the consequences of conducting inaccurate inspections, and requiring all new managers of marine inspectors to pass a written examination that includes questions on the Canada Shipping Act, regulations, and safety policies related to vessel inspections. (Coroner's recommendations 60 and 61)
Reviewing and modifying the masters certificate training syllabus, and amending regulations to require that trainees complete practical, oral, and written examinations on subject matter appropriate to the certificate being sought. (Coroner's recommendation 27)
Working to introduce compulsory insurance for all commercial passenger vessels under the Marine Liability Act. (Coroner's recommendation 37)
Studying lifesaving equipment - such as life rafts and buoyancy apparatuses, immersion suits, and lifejackets - to determine if the current requirements are suitable to the water temperatures in which vessels will operate. (Coroner's recommendation 40)
Amending the Small Vessel Regulations to give authority to peace officers and others, such as Canada Customs Officials and RCMP officers, to stop and inspect, and to enforce regulations for vessels measuring up to 12 metres. Transport Canada will begin consultations in November 2002 to determine whether this amendment can be extended to vessels measuring between 12 and 25 metres. (Coroner's recommendation 59)
These actions are in addition to other actions taken to improve small passenger vessel safety since the sinking of the True North II.
August 2002
