List compiled by Rob McLean, last updated on: February 25, 2017

Disclaimer: This listing is compiled for the convenience of fellow boaters.  To the best of our knowledge at the time of the latest update, links point to the latest versions of official documents that are available online.  However, it is the responsibility of each user of this document to ensure that he or she accesses the latest official version of any listed publication.  Internet links frequently change: if you notice any dead links please inform Rob McLean at rmclean@matrixlinks.ca and we’ll fix them if we can.

Contents

A. Links to official resources that are freely downloadable

B. Links to official resources available for purchase

C. Links to selected relevant laws and regulations

D. Links to selected other resources that are freely downloadable

E. Links to selected other resources available for purchase

A. Links to official resources that are freely downloadable

(May be useful to download and store on a computer or mobile device)

• Transport Canada Navigation Safety Regulations 2020 https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2020-216/index.html. See Division 6 for chart carriage requirements.
• Safe Boating Guide for Pleasure Craft: Broad source of boating safety and legal information.  PDF version available from Transport Canada at: https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/migrated/tp_511e.pdfhttps://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/migrated/tp_511e.pdf
• Chart 1: Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms. HTML and PDF (~ 155 pages) versions available:  https://www.charts.gc.ca/publications/chart1-carte1/index-eng.html
• Chart Catalogs: Regional chart catalog PDF downloads are available for Atlantic coast, Pacific coast, Ontario and Manitoba including the Great Lakes, and Arctic: https://www.charts.gc.ca/publications/catalogues-eng.html
• Canadian Aids to Navigation System, Description of the navigation system and the supporting publications and documentation, 2022 https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.914324/publication.html
• Canadian Aids to Navigation System,  quick reference guide 2022, suitable for printing and laminating as a resource on board: https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/library-bibliotheque/41059177.pdf
• Canadian Aids to Navigation System,  excellent concise PDF summary system map, suitable for printing and laminating as a resource on board, 2011 version: https://learntocruiseonline.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CANS-Map-2011-eng.pdf
• List of Buoys, Lights and Fog Signals: Descriptions of visual navigation aids, organized geographically by chart.  Separate PDF downloads are available for regions of interest.  See https://www.notmar.gc.ca/list-livre-en.php
• Radio Aids to Marine Navigation, 2023 version: Descriptions of electronic navigation aids including radio (VHF, SSB), radar and GPS. https://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/publications/mcts-sctm/ramn-arnm/index-eng.html
• Tide and Current Tables:  Provide the predicted tidal heights and tidal current for Canadian coastlines. Annual tables can be downloaded for regions of interest.  See: https://tides.gc.ca
• Interactive link to real-time and predicted tides, currents and water levels: https://tides.gc.ca/en/stations
• Tidal Current Atlas: Present a comprehensive view of the hourly rate and direction of major tidal currents within specific coastal regions of Canada. Now available as PDF downloads.  See: https://www.charts.gc.ca/publications/atlas-eng.html   Tidal Current Atlases are available for:
  • The Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine
  • St. Lawrence Estuary from Cap de Bon-Désir to Trois-Rivières
  • Juan de Fuca Strait to Strait of Georgia on the Pacific coast
• Monthly bulletin on Great Lakes Water Levels: https://www.lre.usace.army.mil/Missions/Great-Lakes-Information/Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/Water-Level-Forecast/Monthly-Bulletin-of-Great-Lakes-Water-Levels/
• Sailing Directions / pilot guides: Textual description of the navigation area, designed for use with charts of the areas covered.  There are 34 Sailing Directions booklets and 2 Small Craft Guides covering Canadian waters.  See: https://www.charts.gc.ca/publications/sailingdirections-instructionsnautiques-eng.html
• Small Craft Guides: Textual description of the navigation area, oriented to small vessels. Available for Trent Severn Waterway and Lake Nipissing.  See https://www.charts.gc.ca/publications/sailingdirections-instructionsnautiques-eng.html, look under Central Canada Sailing Directions
• Notices to Mariners: Monthly, annual and email-delivered chart specific updates to charts and other government publications. Users can register for an account and receive by email only those notices relevant to their charts of interest.  See: https://www.notmar.gc.ca/index-en.php
• Canada NavWarnings (superceded Notices to Shipping): The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) issues Nav Warnings to inform mariners about hazards to navigation and to share other important information. See https://nis.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/public/rest/messages/en/search
• Ice Navigation in Canadian Waters: information relevant to ships transiting Canadian ice-covered waters https://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/publications/icebreaking-deglacage/ice-navigation-glaces/page01-eng.html

B. Local Rules and Regulations applying to specific areas.

• Toronto Port Authority Practices and Procedures: specifies practices and procedures to be followed by all vessels entering, manoeuvering, berthed, or anchored within the Toronto port limits.  https://www.portstoronto.com/port-of-toronto/about-us/safety-and-security/practices-and-procedures.aspx
• Toronto Port Authority Powered Vessel Operator Permit: https://www.portstoronto.com/Port/Permits-and-Authorizations/Power-Vessel-Operators-Permit.aspx
• St Lawrence Seaway / Welland Canal Pleasure Craft Guide: https://greatlakes-seaway.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/pleasurecraftguide_en.pdf

C. Links to official resources available for purchase

• Charts and Chart Catalogs: Chart catalogues are available online.  Official paper or digital charts must be purchased from chart dealers.  For more information: https://www.charts.gc.ca/charts-cartes/index-eng.html

C. Links to selected relevant laws and regulations

• Canada Shipping Act, 2001: umbrella law for most federal maritime regulation.  HTML and PDF versions available at: https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/acts-regulations/acts-2001c26.htm
• Colregs / Collision Regulations: Properly named: “International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea” Lists rules for vessel interactions, sound signals, lights. Standard international section plus national modifications. Last Canadian update – 2008.  HTML and PDF versions available at: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._1416/
• Small Vessel Regulations: Specifies regulations applying to pleasure craft, human-powered craft, passenger vessels under 15 gross tons carrying less than 12 passengers, and workboats under 15 gross tons.  Focuses on safety requirements and licensing. HTML and PDF downloads available at http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2010-91/page-1.html
• Pleasure Craft Licensing: all pleasure craft powered by 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more engine, to have a pleasure craft licence, unless they have a vessel registration.  Required pursuant to the Small Vessel Regulations.  https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-paperwork-paperwork_boat_licence-1898.htm
• Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations: Require all operators of pleasure craft fitted with any type of motor and used for recreational purposes to carry proof of competency on board. See: https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-paperwork-paperwork_operator-360.htm
• Contraventions Act: defines ticketing scheme for handling minor federal offences such as speeding on federal roads and boating without the proper safety equipment on board. HTML and PDF downloads available at: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.7/
• Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations: Restrictions specific to defined waterways in Canada, such as speed limits, prohibiting certain types of vessels, etc. Boating Restriction Regulations can also be passed and enforced by local municipal governments. HTML and PDF downloads available at  http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2008-120/

D. Links to selected other resources that are freely downloadable

Weather

• Environment Canada Marine Forecasts: https://weather.gc.ca/marine/index_e.html
• Environment Canada Grib Data: https://weather.gc.ca/grib/index_e.html
• Free Grib files from GMN Marine Weather Services: http://www.globalmarinenet.com/free-grib-file-downloads/
• Weather fax over HF resources: http://www.francisperey.com/sailing/weather_fax.shtml and http://www.hffax.de
• Marine Radiofax charts: http://weather.noaa.gov/fax/marine.shtml
• Radio Fax by email: http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/fax/ftpmail.txt

Celestial Navigation: Nautical Almanac data

https://www.thenauticalalmanac.com

http://www.nauticalalmanac.it/en/navigation-astronomy/the-nautical-almanac.html

http://sv-inua.net/the-nautical-almanac

http://www.backbearing.com/almanac.html

http://astro.ukho.gov.uk/nao/online/

Cruising Info

• Great Lakes Sailing: http://www.great-lakes-sailing.com

E. Links to selected other resources available for purchase

 Ports/Waterway Guides

  Weather guides

  Nautical almanacs

  Chart Books (third party)