On April 5th, Transport Canada released the attached Ship Safety Bulletin (SSB) 10/2020 on Measures to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 for Passenger Vessels and Ferries. The SSB complements the Interim Order issued by the Minister of Transport prohibiting vessels carrying more than 12 passengers from operational activities that are discretionary in nature until at least June 30, 2020.
Passenger vessels and ferries deemed essential are listed in Schedule 1 and are required to implement certain measures to reduce transmission risk. Enforcement powers and penalties are outlined in the Interim Order.
On April 7th, Transport Canada Marine Security Operations issued the attached Bulletin 4203-60 advising of new exemptions under the Marine Transportation Security Act (MTSA) that enable the temporary extension of Marine Transportation Security Clearance (MTSC) expiring between April 6 and July 6, 2020. MTSC with expiry dates that fall within this period will be extended another 90 days.