The Superyacht Canada Pilot Waiver Committee (SCPWC) has prepared the following advice for Owners, Agents and Masters to assist in planning a smooth and seamless voyage through Canada’s incredible inside passage.

When preparing voyage plans through Canada majestic west coast waterways vessel owners and masters should be aware that commercial vessels with a combined tonnage over 350 GT (International Tonnage Convention measure for composites or tug and tow(s)) and yachts over 500 GT are required to have a Canadian Pilot or a Pilot Waiver.

Pilot bookings can be made through the Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA), alternately, Pilot Waivers can be obtained from the PPA for yachts over 500 GT but under 10,000 GT. Pleasure Craft Waiver Application forms can be downloaded from the Pacific Pilotage Authority web site. Waiver applications should be submitted to Waivers@ppa.gc.ca at least two weeks in advance of the proposed transit. Masters and Officers qualifying for Pilot Waivers from the PPA can be sourced through the Canadian Pilot Waiver Committee(CPWAC). See contacts following.

Helpful Notes

A pre-Arrival Report (PAIR) (form BSF136) must be sent to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at least 96 hours prior to arrival or when departing the last port if less than 96 hours. In addition a VTS sailing Plan must be provided to the Canadian Coast Guard 24 hours prior to entering a VTS zone.

When Clients and Captains are Planning a voyage through the waters of the west coast of Canada, mariners must be aware that the Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) has the sole authority to issue Pilot Waivers in the Compulsory Pilotage Waters of British Columbia. See the following map indicating the compulsory pilotage areas. Following are the requirements for Waivers of Compulsory Pilotage in British Columbia Waters.

 

 

Pilot Waiver Requirements

• Waivers are subject to the condition that the assigned holder will be the only individual that has the navigational conduct of the vessel when navigating in compulsory pilotage waters of British Columbia.
• The assigned holder must not exceed eight (8) hours on a continuous bridge watch.
• The assigned person is considered a part of the ships crew (supernumerary). They may not board or disembark at an established pilot boarding station in a manner that approximates a pilotage service. (ie. Parallel piloting)
• Pilot Waiver Applicant must possess a current Certificate(s) of Competency that are required by Part 2 of the Marine Personnel Regulations or, if the ship is not Canadian, equivalent certificates, i.e. Certificates of competency must be appropriate for the vessel.
• To qualify for Pilot Waivers the applicants shall have the following minimum voyages for each Pilotage area required.

Pilot Waiver Requirements cont….

Administration fees will be applied to the issuance of waivers. Fees are payable to the Pacific Pilotage Authority.

Area 1	Required number of voyages in the last 2 years Fraser River, West of the New Westminster railway bridge: 5 return voyages
	Fraser River, East of the New Westminster railway bridge: 10 return voyages
Area 2	2 Required number of voyages in the last 5 years – of which at least one (1) was in the last 2 years General: 10 return voyages Inside Passage: 10 return voyages Second Narrows: 6 return voyages
Area 3	Required number of voyages in the last 5 years – of which at least one (1) was in the last 2 years West of Vancouver Island: 10 return voyages
Area 4	Required number of voyages in the last 5 years – of which at least one (1) was in the last 2 years Pine Island to Dixon entrance: 10 return voyages
Area 5	Required number of voyages in the last 5 years – of which at least one (1) was in the last 2 years Haida Gwaii: 10 return voyages

Compulsory Pilotage Areas Canadian West Coast Waters