Safe recreational use of the Port of Vancouver

Greater demands than ever are being placed on our water for work & play.

You can help to keep our port competitive and safe.

Be alert and observant, and follow a few simple rules in the following areas...

Equip yourself with V.H.F. radio to monitor/communicate on channel 12 V.H.F. when in the harbour area.

Observe the Aircraft Operation Zone - Coal Harbour, Canada Place, Burnaby Shoal.

NO SAILING, personal watercraft, rowing, or paddling allowed.

KEEP TO THE RIGHT of the Channel.

DO NOT cross the channel until clear of Brockton Point when Inbound.

DO NOT cross the channel until clear of Dundarave when Outbound.

FOLLOW RULES 9 & 10 of International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

One sail sheeted home is allowed for stability purposes when under power in the Narrows - otherwise sails are to be lowered in non-sailing areas.

Vessels less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway. [Rule 9(b)]

NO SAILING allowed between First Narrows and a line drawn from the west end of Centerm, north to Lonsdale Avenue.

NO SCUBA DIVING, water skiing, or personal watercraft allowed between or in the first and Second Narrows.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS between a tug and its tow, or pass close astern of the tow as all have trailing lines astern.

OBSERVE THE 5 KNOT SPEED LIMIT inside the area of Coal Harbour to Burnaby Shoal.

NO SAILING, personal watercraft, rowing or paddling allowed in the Second Narrows Movement Restriction Area. One sail sheeted home is allowed for stability purposes when under power in the Narrows - otherwise sails are to be lowered in non-sailing areas.

KNOW THE HEIGHT OF YOUR VESSEL - from the waterline to the highest point - usually the top of the mast.

DO NOT call for a lift of the Rail Bridge Span if you can safely transit with the span lowered. There is never less than 10.66 metres (35 ft.) clearance.

DO NOT attempt transit unless you have adequate power for the expected conditions of wind, tide and current.

DO COMMUNICATE with the Bridge Tender on Channel 12 V.H.F. as soon as possible if requesting a lift of the span.

BE ALERT to minimizing the number of span moves (which cause delays to rail traffic) by adjusting your speed to combine with others to pass through the span. Bridge Tenders have the authority to request this. When combining transit with others allow priority to deep sea vessels, tugs and tows, etc., unless instructed otherwise by the Bridge Tender, or Vessel Traffic Services (V.T.S.). Deep sea vessels have limited periods for transit.

BE AWARE of the 5 KNOT SPEED RESTRICTION ZONES at False Creek, Coal Harbour, Deep Cove, Strathcona Marine Park, Belcarra to Admiralty Point, Jug Island, Bedwell Bay, and Twin Islands.

BE ALERT...BE OBSERVANT...BE SAFE

PLEASE NOTE: For specific regulations governing the use of canoes, kayaks, inflatables, personal watercraft and sailboards in the Port of Vancouver, please contact:

HARBOUR MASTER'S OFFICE - Vancouver Port Authority
100 The Pointe
999 Canada Place
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3T4
Canada
Phone: 604.665.9086
Fax: 604.665.9099