Canada fines three vessels for violation of speed limit

Transport Canada announced that it has fined three vessels for not respecting the speed restriction in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Because of these fines, a temporary mandatory vessel slowdown has been imposed to the ships.

In an attempt to protect navigational safety and to protect the marine environment, Transport Canada issued fines of $6,000 to the vessels Azoresborg, New Shanghai and Jacqueline C for alleged non-compliance.

The vessel owners have 30 days to pay the penalty or to ask the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada to review the facts of the violation or the amount of the penalty.

Earlier this year, Transport Canada implemented a temporary mandatory slowdown of vessels 20 metres or more to a maximum of 10 knots due to the increased presence of whales in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence, between the Quebec north shore and just north of Prince Edward Island.

    “While the shipping industry in general has been proactive in respecting the speed limits, the Government of Canada is determined to have the temporary mandatory slowdown respected by all vessels in the designated area of the Gulf of St. Lawrence,” Transport Canada reported.