News & Topics of Interest

The Role and Responsibility of Pilots – According to the Pilotage Act, no person other than a licensed pilot or the holder of a pilotage certificate may have the conduct of a vessel in a compulsory pilotage area. Read article >

Stay Clear to Stay Afloat! – The CMPA has produced a video to raise the awareness of boaters regarding the risks associated with navigating in proximity to commercial vessels. Watch video >

Opinion Poll on Safety and Pilotage Certification in the Great Lakes region – In September 2010, Nanos Research conducted a telephone survey of 1,000 people in Ontario living near the St. Lawrence/Great Lakes waterway. Respondents assigned an unusually high degree of importance to the safe navigation and independent regulation of commercial vessels on the Great Lakes. The poll results are particularly relevant in light of the current debate underway as to how mariners are certified as qualified to conduct vessels in the region. A summary of the poll results is available here >

Code of Conduct – The Code formally expresses the values that Canadian pilots hold in common and their standards for professional behaviour. Read article >

Canadian Vessels and Pilotage – Application of pilotage to Canadian vessels offers assurance to the public that an effective process is in place to ensure that those conducting vessels in pilotage areas are well-qualified. Read article >

International Norms Regarding Pilotage Certificates – Virtually all countries require that domestic officers demonstrate adequate knowledge of local waters through assessments conducted by an independent regulator prior to issuing pilotage exemption certificates. Read article >

The Impact of Competition on Pilotage – The public interest and marine safety are best served through pilotage services being provided, on an exclusive basis, by a single group of pilots in any given compulsory area. Read article >

CMPA Technical Committee – In light of the particular expertise of pilots in the use of advanced navigation technology and the need to examine a number of issues, such as the implementation of e-Navigation projects or the use of portable navigation equipment, the CMPA decided to form a Technical Committee, comprised of representatives form the country's four pilotage regions. Read article >

Guiding Principles for Evaluating Pilot Proficiency – These principles were developed by a joint Pilotage Authority and CMPA committee to establish common principles that all Authorities would subscribe to when developing their pilot proficiency evaluation process. Read article >

CMPA Position Statement on e-Navigation – e-Navigation will only reach its full potential if its development reflects the fact that mariners are the most critical factor in safe navigation. Read article >

Pilotage Tariffs – Canadian pilotage provides better value for money than virtually any other system in the world. Read article >