Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

Last revised September 13, 2022

1965 to the present

• In 1965, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea were published as Schedule A of the Collision Regulations (SOR/65-395, Canada Gazette, Part II, vol. 99, no. 17, p. 1364).
• In 1972, the Fishing Lights and Signals (West Coast) Regulations were added to the Collision Regulations as Schedule B (SOR/72-48, Canada Gazette, Part II, vol. 106, No. 5, p. 287).
• In 1974, the Additional Lights and Shapes for Deep Draft Ships Regulations and the Ships' Radar Reflector Regulations were added to the Collision Regulations as Schedules C and D respectively (SOR/74-462, Canada Gazette, Part II, vol. 108, No. 15, p. 2274).

Because the above regulations were contained in amendments to the Collision Regulations, they are listed as such in the Consolidated Index of Statutory Instruments, not by their individual titles. (Copies of consolidated indexes published as part of the Canada Gazette, Part II, are available in the Vancouver Courthouse Library).

In 1977, the Collision Regulations were repealed and replaced.  Revised International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea appear as Schedule I in the 1977 Collision Regulations (SOR/77-579, Canada Gazette, Part II, vol. 111, no. 14, p. 3120).  These regulations were incorporated into the Consolidated Regulations of Canada (CRC) as Chapter 1416. An updated version of these regulations is available online.

1897 to 1965

For regulations prior to 1965, see:

• Canada Shipping Act: 5. Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, Statutory Orders and Regulations Consolidation, 1955, p. 248
• Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, SOR/53-354, Canada Gazette, Part II, vol. 87, no. 16,  p. 831
• International Rules of the Road: Regulations for Preventing Collisions and for Distress Signals,  SOR/48-186, Canada Gazette, Part II, vol. 82, no. 10, p. 1194
• Regulations for Preventing Collisions and for Distress Signals, generally known as The International Rules of the Road, established by Order in Council P.C. 259 of February 9, 1897 (Notice (only) published in the Canada Gazette 1897, p. 1973, available in the Vancouver Courthouse Library)

1837 to 1896

Prior to 1897, regulations for preventing collisions were contained in the following statutes:

• An Act Respecting the Navigation of Canadian Waters, R.S.C. 1886, c. 79
• An Act to Make Better Provision Respecting the Navigation of Canadian Waters, S.C. 1880, c. 29 (43 Vict. c. 29)
• An Act Respecting the Navigation of Canadian Waters, S.C. 1868, c. 57 (31 Vict. c. 57)
• An Act to Amend the Law Respecting the Navigation of Canadian Waters, 27-28 Vict. c. 13 (Statutes of the Province of Canada, 1864)  (Note: the Vancouver Courthouse Library’s print copy of this act is missing the first 6 pages.  Use the microfilm or the LLMC copy; c. 13 starts on page 91.)
• An Act Respecting the Navigation of Canadian Waters, C.S.C. 1859, c. 44
• An Act to Consolidate and Amend the Several Laws Regulating the Navigation of the Waters of Canada , and Providing for the Security of Person and Property Thereon, 22 Vict. c. 19 (Statutes of the Province of Canada, 1859)
• An Act to Amend a Certain Act Therein Mentioned. so as Better to Provide for the Security of the Lives of Passengers on Board of Steam Vessels, 20 Vict. c. 34 (Statutes of the Province of Canada, 1857)
• An Act to Amend the Act, Intituled, An Act to Amend an Act, Intituled, An Act to Compel Vessels to Carry a Light During the Night, and to Make Sundry Provisions to Regulate the Navigation of the Waters of This Province, 16 Vict. c. 167 (Statutes of the Province of Canada, 1853)
• An Act to Amend an Act, Intituled, An Act to Compel Vessels to Carry a Light During the Night, and to Make Sundry Provisions to Regulate the Navigation of the Waters of This Province, 14-15 Vict. c. 126 (Provincial Statutes of Canada, 1851)  
• An Act to Compel Vessels to Carry a Light During the Night, and to Make Sundry Provisions to Regulate the Navigation of the Waters of This Province, 7 Will. 4, c. 22 (Statutes of Upper Canada, 1837)