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Cargo, Fumigation and Tackle Regulations (SOR/2007-128)

Regulations are current to 2024-03-06 and last amended on 2021-10-31. Previous Versions

PART 1Cargo (continued)

DIVISION 2Solid Bulk Cargo Other Than Grain (continued)

Dangerous Goods

Chapters VI and VII of SOLAS and the IMSBC Code
[
  • SOR/2021-60, s. 4
]
  •  (1) The master of a vessel shall ensure that the requirements of regulations 7-2, 7-3 and 7-4.1 of Chapter VII of SOLAS are met.

  • (2) Every company shall ensure that the requirements of regulation 7-4.2 of Chapter VII of SOLAS are met in respect of its vessels.

  • (3) Every person on or in the vicinity of a vessel that is carrying dangerous goods or onto or from which dangerous goods are being loaded or unloaded shall take the measures specified in respect of those goods in the IMSBC Code with respect to the activities in which they are engaged.

  • (4) The master of a tug who takes charge of an unoccupied barge carrying dangerous goods shall, before commencing any voyage,

    • (a) ensure, to the extent that it is feasible, that the goods are carried in accordance with Part B of Chapter VI of SOLAS, regulations 7-2, 7-3 and 7-4.1 of Chapter VII of SOLAS and the IMSBC Code; and

    • (b) be in possession of the documents required by section 115 in respect of those goods.

General Precautions
  •  (1) Every person on a vessel who enters either a cargo space containing dangerous goods or a space adjacent to that cargo space shall

    • (a) comply with the requirements of the IMSBC Code regarding wearing self-contained breathing apparatus;

    • (b) be aware of the potential dangers in entering the space that are described in the IMSBC Code; and

    • (c) be under the supervision of a vessel’s officer designated by the master.

  • (2) If dangerous goods are to be loaded onto or unloaded from a vessel, its master shall ensure that an officer of the vessel or a person designated by its authorized representative is present while the goods are loaded or unloaded and while the cargo spaces are open.

  • (3) The master of a vessel carrying dangerous goods shall determine the areas on the vessel where smoking or using naked lights or spark-producing equipment could create a fire or explosion hazard and display warning notices in conspicuous places on board the vessel prohibiting the activity in those areas.

  • (4) Before dangerous goods are loaded into a cargo space, the master shall ensure that

    • (a) the space is cleaned of all loose debris, dunnage and oil residue and is dry; and

    • (b) the bilges in the space are substantially dry and free from extraneous material and can allow water outside the bilges to drain to the bilge sections while preventing the cargo from entering the bilges.

Incompatible Goods
  •  (1) No person shall simultaneously load or unload

    • (a) incompatible dangerous goods; or

    • (b) dangerous goods and other goods that are incompatible with them.

  • (2) The person in charge of loading incompatible dangerous goods shall, after stowing the goods in a cargo space, close its hatch and clear the deck of all residue before stowing any other goods.

  • (3) The person in charge of loading dangerous goods and other goods that are incompatible with them shall, after stowing the goods in a cargo space, close its hatch and clear the deck of all residue before stowing any other goods.

  • (4) If the unloading of incompatible dangerous goods is interrupted while some of the goods are in a cargo space, the person in charge of unloading shall close its hatch and clear the deck of all residue until unloading is resumed.

  • (5) If the unloading of dangerous goods and other goods that are incompatible with them is interrupted while some of the goods are in a cargo space, the person in charge of unloading shall close its hatch and clear the deck of all residue until unloading is resumed.

  • (6) The person in charge of loading incompatible dangerous goods shall ensure that they are segregated in accordance with the IMSBC Code.

Dangerous Goods and Packaged Goods

 If dangerous goods are to be carried with packaged goods, the person in charge of loading the goods shall ensure that they are segregated in accordance with the IMSBC Code.

Ammonium Nitrate and Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer
  •  (1) No person shall load or unload

    • (a) ammonium nitrate; or

    • (b) more than 10 000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate based fertilizer.

  • (2) At least 24 hours before 150 tonnes or more of ammonium nitrate based fertilizer are to be loaded onto or unloaded from a vessel, its master shall notify the following of the intention to load or unload and the location where it will take place:

    • (a) the Department of Transport Marine Safety Office nearest to that location; and

    • (b) the harbour master at the port or, if there is no harbour master, the person responsible for the port.

  • (3) The notification shall confirm that the fertilizer is considered to be free from the hazard of self-sustaining decomposition when tested in accordance with section 4 of Appendix 2 to the IMSBC Code.

  • (4) The harbour master at the port or, if there is no harbour master, the person responsible for the port at the location where loading or unloading ammonium nitrate based fertilizer will take place shall ensure that information in respect of fire prevention, emergency procedures, storage, cleanliness and separation from contaminants and other dangerous goods is available at the location.

Documentation

  •  (1) Every shipper of solid bulk cargo to be loaded onto a vessel in Canadian waters shall comply with

    • (a) regulation 2 of Chapter VI and regulation 10 of Chapter XII of SOLAS;

    • (b) section 4 of the IMSBC Code; and

    • (c) the provisions, if any, with respect to that cargo that are set out in a schedule to Appendix 1 to the IMSBC Code and that apply to the shipper.

  • (2) If the shipper does not provide a vessel’s master with the documents required to comply with subsection (1), the vessel’s authorized representative and its master shall refuse to carry the cargo.

  • (3) While solid bulk cargo is carried on a vessel, the vessel’s master shall keep on board

    • (a) the documents required to comply with the provisions referred to in paragraphs (1)(a) to (c);

    • (b) the IMSBC Code; and

    • (c) if the cargo is dangerous goods, the most recent version of the Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG), published by the IMO.

  • (4) Despite subsection (3), if the cargo is carried on an unoccupied vessel that is under tow, the master of the towing vessel shall keep the documents on board the towing vessel.

  • (5) If the cargo is carried on an unoccupied vessel that is not under tow, the person in charge of the unoccupied vessel shall ensure that the documents are kept on it in a manner that will keep them clean and dry and readily accessible for inspection.

  • (6) The master of a vessel carrying solid bulk cargo other than dangerous goods shall keep on board a document, such as a detailed stowage plan, that lists the cargo by its bulk cargo shipping name and sets out its location.

  •  (1) For the purpose of complying with paragraph 115(1)(b) and section 4.3.3 of the IMSBC Code, a shipper shall,

    • (a) before implementing their procedures for sampling, testing and controlling the moisture content of cargo, request that the Minister perform an initial verification of these procedures;

    • (b) before the first anniversary date of the most recent letter of approval issued under paragraph (4)(a), request that the Minister perform an intermediate verification of the procedures for which the letter of approval was issued; and

    • (c) before the expiry date of the most recent letter of approval issued under paragraph (4)(a) or (c), request that the Minister perform a renewal verification of the procedures for which the letter of approval was issued.

  • (2) If a shipper modifies the procedures for which a letter of approval has been issued under paragraph (4)(a) or (c), the shipper shall, before implementing the modified procedures, request that the Minister perform an initial verification of these procedures.

  • (3) On request by a shipper, the Minister shall perform the requested verification.

  • (4) The Minister shall

    • (a) issue a letter of approval to a shipper if, following an initial verification, the Minister is satisfied that the shipper’s procedures comply with the applicable provisions of the IMSBC Code;

    • (b) endorse a letter of approval issued under paragraph (a) if, following an intermediate verification, the Minister is satisfied that the procedures for which the letter of approval was issued are being properly implemented by the shipper; or

    • (c) issue a letter of approval to a shipper if, following a renewal verification, the Minister is satisfied that the shipper’s procedures comply with the applicable provisions of the IMSBC Code in force at the time of the renewal verification and are being properly implemented by the shipper.

Inspection at the Request of an Interested Person

  •  (1) A marine safety inspector authorized by the Minister under subsection 11(2) of the Act to carry out inspections to ensure compliance with sections 110 to 115 shall carry out an inspection of a vessel on which dangerous goods are loaded, carried or unloaded to ensure compliance with sections 110 to 115 if an interested person makes a request to the Department of Transport Marine Safety Office nearest to the vessel.

  • (2) The inspector shall provide a signed statement to the vessel’s master and the interested person

    • (a) specifying the name, registration number, port of registry and gross tonnage of the vessel;

    • (b) specifying the date of the inspection; and

    • (c) stating the results of the inspection.

  • (3) [Repealed, SOR/2021-59, s. 21]

  • (4) [Repealed, SOR/2021-59, s. 21]

  • (5) [Repealed, SOR/2021-59, s. 21]

Additions to and Derogations from the IMSBC Code

[
  • SOR/2021-60, s. 4
]
  •  (1) If a self-unloading vessel that loads or unloads coal at a Canadian port does not have electrical cables and components situated in spaces adjacent to cargo spaces that are safe for use in hazardous zones, the vessel’s master shall ensure that

    • (a) means are provided for positive isolations;

    • (b) the electrical cables and components in those spaces have a minimum of Class II, Division 2, Group F rating, in accordance with Part I of the Canadian Electrical Code;

    • (c) a mechanical ventilation system is operating in unloading tunnels and loopbelt tunnels and any other transfer equipment and, if an exhaust fan is part of the system, it is certified by its manufacturer as safe for use in an explosive atmosphere; and

    • (d) the operational procedures for the mechanical ventilation system in an explosive atmosphere are documented and in place.

  • (2) Instead of ensuring compliance with the requirement in the COAL schedule to Appendix 1 to the IMSBC Code that holds be surface-ventilated for the first 24 hours after departure from the loading port, the master of a self-unloading vessel that loads coal at a Canadian port before or during an inland voyage may ensure that the holds are ventilated by other methods that reduce methane concentration and that the spaces adjacent to the cargo spaces are ventilated before electrical power sources are activated.

  • (3) The master of a self-unloading vessel that loads or unloads coal at a Canadian port before, during or after an inland voyage need not ensure that supply-ventilation equipment for tunnels is safe for use in an explosive atmosphere.

  • (4) If the carbon monoxide level in a cargo space increases steadily or exceeds 50 ppm, the master of a self-unloading vessel that loads or unloads coal at a Canadian port before, during or after an inland voyage may meet the requirements of subsection (5) instead of

    • (a) ensuring that the cargo space is completely closed down and all ventilation ceased;

    • (b) seeking expert advice immediately; and

    • (c) notifying the vessel’s owners.

  • (5) The requirements referred to in subsection (4) are the following:

    • (a) to ensure that readings of the carbon monoxide level and the lower explosion limit are taken at least every 4 hours in the first 24 hours of sailing and after that at least

      • (i) once per day if the carbon monoxide levels are less than 50 ppm,

      • (ii) twice per day if the carbon monoxide levels are 50 ppm or more but less than 500 ppm, and

      • (iii) once every 4 hours if the carbon monoxide levels are 500 ppm or more; and

    • (b) to notify the vessel’s owners and the Department of Transport Marine Safety Office nearest to the vessel if both the carbon monoxide level and the lower explosion limit are simultaneously increasing.

Concentrates

Trimming and Levelling

 The master of a vessel that is departing from a Canadian port and is loaded in a hold with iron ore concentrates or sulphide concentrates of lead, copper or zinc for export to a place that is not within the limits of an inland voyage shall ensure that the concentrates are trimmed and levelled so that

  • (a) they reach all boundaries of the hold;

  • (b) they slope uniformly from the hatch boundaries to the bulkheads;

  • (c) no shearing faces remain to collapse during the voyage;

  • (d) in the case of iron ore concentrates, the height differences between the peaks and troughs in the square of the hatch of the hold do not exceed 5% of the vessel’s breadth; and

  • (e) in the case of sulphide concentrates, the height differences between the peaks and troughs do not exceed 5% of the vessel’s breadth in the athwartship direction for the full width of the hold.

Certificates of Readiness to Load
  •  (1) This section applies in respect of vessels that load concentrates for export to a place that is not within the limits of an inland voyage.

  • (2) No vessel in Canadian waters shall load concentrates except in accordance with a Certificate of Readiness to Load issued to the vessel by the Minister or, in the case of a vessel in the Port of Quebec, by the Port Warden of the Harbor of Quebec.

  • (3) On application, the Minister shall issue a Certificate of Readiness to Load to a vessel if

    • (a) the requirements of regulations 2, 6, 7.2 and 7.3 of Chapter VI of SOLAS are met;

    • (b) the requirements of the IMSBC Code that apply before loading are met;

    • (c) the documents referred to in subsection 115(3) are on board;

    • (d) the vessel’s master is familiar with the hazards that can occur as a result of concentrate oxidation; and

    • (e) the vessel is in fit condition to carry concentrates in the holds in which they are to be loaded.

  • (4) The Minister may, for the purpose of ensuring compliance with sections 108, 109, 115 and 118, specify the following terms and conditions in a Certificate of Readiness to Load:

    • (a) the type of concentrates that may be loaded;

    • (b) the holds into which the concentrates may be loaded;

    • (c) the manner in which the concentrates are to be distributed so as not to overstress the vessel’s structure under standard loading conditions;

    • (d) the stowage factor used in the stability calculation for the concentrates; and

    • (e) the trimming and levelling required.

  • (5) If the Minister inspects a vessel for the purpose of establishing whether the requirements for the issuance of a Certificate of Readiness to Load have been met and establishes that some requirements have not been met, he or she shall give the master a written statement setting out those requirements.

 

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