Please be advised that effective January 1, 2007, the Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) has terminated its Ballast Water Management Program and repealed procedures related to this program. For more information, click here.

Marine_Events_Application_Form [PDF | 1202 KB]

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Harbour Operations Manual - Amended Dec 7, 2007. Posted Dec 20, 2007. [PDF | 474 KB]

Vancouver Anchorages - effective Feb 29, 2008 [PDF | 14 KB]



Berth Soundings - Amended March 15, 2006. Posted March 28, 2006.

Apply for Dangerous Goods Permit

Stay Clear [PDF, 60KB]
Safety tips for pleasure boaters in First Narrows.

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Updated January 4, 2007.

The Marine Operations and Security Department consists of the Director, Manager of Security, two Deputy Harbour Masters, a team of Marine Operations and Security specialists, and harbour patrol personnel. All Marine Operations and Security staff are well versed in maritime law, water safety and pollution control.

Harbour Master staff operate three Harbour Patrol boats monitoring bunkering operations and other vessel activites, acting as escorts, and checking port waterways for debris, spills, damage to docks and navigational aids, and other shipping hazards.

Contact with every ship: each deep sea vessel entering Vancouver harbour is boarded by Harbour Master's staff, who ensure that all engine room and hold bilge discharge valves are sealed and advise ship's Masters of bunkering and other harbour operational safety and pollution prevention regulations.

Spills: party at fault for oil chemical spill responsible for clean-up under orders from Harbour Master; Transport Canada is responsible for investigating oil spills from ships while Environmental Protection Agency investigates spills from other sources.

Dangerous Goods: all dangerous goods transported within the Port of Vancouver must be under permit issued by Harbour Master's office; municipal fire departments advised of movement and storage of all dangerous goods on port terminals.

Harbour Master monitors movement of all commercial deep-sea vessels, cruise ships, fishing vessels, ferries, tugs and barges, pleasure craft.

Ships awaiting berths or inspection are assigned anchorages in Burrard Inlet and English Bay by Harbour Master's office.

Harbour Master's office provides nautical advice to VPA on engineering and development projects, matters affecting marine safety and navigation in the port, and fire safety at terminals and port buildings.

VPA Emergency plan maintained and updated by the Harbour Master's office, in conjunction with other emergency preparedness organizations to ensure compatibility.

Harbour Master is On Scene Commander for all marine incidents and for those involving Dangerous Goods within the harbour limits.

Marine Operations and Security Department
Telephone: 604-665-9086
Toll Free Tel: 1-888-PORTVAN (1-888-767-8826)
Toll Free Fax: 1-866-284-4271
Email:marineoperations&security@portvancouver.com



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