A3Ice Navigation
6Ice Navigation, Routeing and Requests for Icebreaker Assistance
1Hudson Strait and Canadian Arctic
Northern Canada Vessel Traffic Services (NORDREG) Zone
Mariners should be aware of the existence of the Northern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone established by the Northern Canada Vessel Traffic Services Zone Regulations. These regulations require certain vessels to report information to NORDREG before entering the NORDREG Zone and while navigating within it. In general, the NORDREG zone covers the waters of Ungava Bay, Hudson Bay and James Bay and Canada’s coastal northern waters within the area enclosed by the 60th parallel of north latitude, the 141st meridian of west longitude and the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone; however, where the international boundary between Canada and Greenland is less than 200 nautical miles from the baselines of the territorial sea of Canada, the international boundary shall be substituted for that outer limit.
Ice operations support in NORDREG waterways is provided by the Canadian Coast Guard. Icebreaker assistance as well as ice information and ice routing should be requested through NORDREG. For more detailed information on this VTS system, the definition of waters it covers and the requirements to make certain reports and obtain clearance, mariners should refer to Part 3 of the Radio Aids to Marine Navigation (Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, Arctic and Pacific).
(a)For general information on ice conditions:
During Business Hours (0700-1900 Eastern Time 7-days/week):
Ice
Operations:
Telephone: 514-283-2784
Email : DFO.ICEOPS-ARCGLACE.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Ice
Conditions:
Tel: (514) 283-1752
Email :ssgarctique-issarctic@ec.gc.ca
For After Hours Ice Information:
Address: |
NORDREG CANADA,
(867) 979-5724 or 979-5269 |
1.1Ice Regime Routeing Message
Every message required by paragraph 9(1) of the ASSPPR must contain all designators listed in Table 2. The update message required by paragraph 9(2) of the ASSPPR must include designators A to K. Every message must be addressed to TRANSPORT CANADA and be provided to one of the Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centres that is designated by the Canadian Coast Guard to receive NORDREG reports. The intended route described by designator G of Table 2 may include more than one Shipping Safety Control Zone.
Table 2 – Ice regime routing message template
Item |
Designator |
Subject |
Information |
1 |
A |
Vessel |
The vessel’s name and the name of the state whose flag the vessel is entitled to fly. |
2 |
B |
Call Sign and |
The vessel’s call sign and International Maritime Organization (IMO) ship identification number. |
3 |
C |
Vessel Ice Class |
The Ice Class that corresponds to the Ice Class indicated on the Polar Ship Certificate. For vessels with no Polar Ship Certificate, the Ice Class indicated on the vessel Classification Society Certificate. |
4 |
D |
Date & UTC Time |
A 6-digit group followed by a Z: |
5 |
E |
Final Destination |
The name of the final destination. |
6 |
F |
Position, Course & Speed |
•A
4-digit group giving the latitude in degrees and
minutes suffixed with N, and a 5-digit group giving the
longitude in degrees and minutes suffixed with W. |
7 |
G |
Intended Route |
•A
series of 4-digit groups giving the latitude in degrees
and minutes suffixed with N, and
|
8 |
H |
Ice Regime(s) to be encountered |
For each regime along the planned route, a series of ice
concentration in tenths (C), the corresponding ice type
(IT) using the ice type symbol or the egg code, followed
by the letter IN for AIRSS message or RIO for POLARIS
message and the resulting Ice Numeral (IN) or Risk Index
Outcome (RIO): |
9 |
I |
Source(s) of Ice Information |
Indicate the source(s) used to determine the ice
conditions, |
10 |
J |
Other pertinent information or comments |
Provide additional information that may have been considered or is pertinent to the assessment, such as limitations associated with the ice regime assessment, near regimes that are likely to drift into the proposed route, an alternate route that may be considered, or planned escorting needs. |
11 |
K |
Name of Escorting Vessel |
Provide the name of the escorting vessel if the ice numeral has been determined for the track of an escorting vessel. |
12 |
L |
Ice Navigator(s) and officers certified for ships operating in polar waters |
Name(s) and certification information of Ice Navigator(s) and officers certified in accordance with the STCW Convention requirements for ships operating in polar waters. |
13 |
M |
Ship Master |
Name of the Master and certification information in accordance with the STCW Convention requirement for ships operating in polar waters. |
2East Coast, Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence
During the winter navigation season a similar service is provided to ships intending to transit or to operate in the East Coast and Gulf of St. Lawrence waters. Access to this service can be obtained by contacting the Eastern Canada Traffic System (ECAREG CANADA). ECAREG communications procedures are specified in the current Radio Aids to Navigation publications.
(a)For general information on ice conditions and icebreaker assistance along the main shipping route in the Gulf of St. Lawrence:
24 hours assistance, 7-days/week: Icebreaking operations: |
|
Telephone: |
514-283-1746 |
|
|
Ice conditions (Business hours) |
|
Telephone: |
514-283-1752 / 2069 |
Mailing address |
Montreal Ice Centre |
|
Outside of Business Hours: |
(b)For general information on ice conditions and icebreaker assistance in Chaleur Bay, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador waters:
Telephone: |
709-772-2078 |
Email (24 hour assistance): |
vts.labrador@innav.gc.ca |
Mailing address |
P.O. Box 5667 |
3St. Lawrence River
In the St. Lawrence River west of longitude 66°00'W to Montréal, ship movement is under the general control of the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system. During the winter navigation season, the ice operation center will provide, via "Escoumins Traffic" or "Québec Traffic", the recommended ice routes to be used.
For general information on ice conditions and icebreaker assistance:
During 24 hours assistance 7-days/week: Icebreaking operations: |
|
Telephone: |
514-283-1746 |
|
|
Ice conditions (Business hours) |
|
Telephone: |
514-283-1752 / 2069 |
Mailing address |
Montreal Ice Centre |
|
Outside of Business Hours :
Les Escoumins Traffic
Quebec Traffic |
4Canadian Great Lakes
Vessels entering Canadian waters of the Great Lakes may obtain ice information, routing advice and request icebreaker assistance by contacting the following address:
During Business Hours (0700-1900 Eastern Time 7-days/week): Icebreaking operations: |
|
Telephone: |
514-283-2784 |
|
|
Ice conditions |
|
Telephone: |
514-283-1752 / 2069 |
Mailing address |
Montreal Ice Centre |
|
Outside of Business Hours: |
5General Remarks
A limited number of icebreakers are available for the support of shipping and icebreaking requests are prioritized according to the Levels of Service. It is emphasized, therefore, that it may not be possible to provide icebreaker support at short notice. In order to make the most efficient use of all available resources, it is important that the MCTS Centres are kept informed of the position and projected movements of vessels in Canadian waters.
E-NAV Portal: |
Authority: Canadian Coast Guard