Under the Canada Shipping Act 2001 through its Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations and the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act through its Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, the Owner of a vessel is required to provide written Safety Procedures for their crew that are applicable to the vessel and its daily operations. In most situations, if the Captain is not the Owner, this task is usually delegated to the Captain of the vessel. These written procedures should form the basis for on-board familiarization and safety training of the crew as well as carrying out drills in preparation for emergencies at sea.
Inspectors from both Transport Canada and Nova Scotia Labour Skills and Immigration - Occupational Health and Safety do not need to approve the Safety Procedures for the vessel but can ask to see a copy of them on the vessel and may ask questions of the Captain and crew regarding carrying out the procedures.
