Ships requesting permission to conduct lifeboat drills must comply with all relevant regulations, including but not limited to:

• Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001).
• Marine Safety and Security Act.
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (Canada Labour Code, Part II).
• Ship Safety Bulletin No. 05/2016 – “Lifeboat Drills”.
• Transport Canada – Marine Safety Program (MSP).
• SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention (for Canadian and international vessels operating in Canadian waters).

The requesting vessel is responsible for ensuring full compliance with these regulations.

Permission to carry out the lifeboat drill will be granted subject to availability of the harbour and confirmation that no other port activities will be disrupted during the drill. 

The vessel must ensure that all required safety and emergency equipment is in place and fully functional before the drill. This includes life jackets, helmets, and gloves for participants, as well as a fully operational lifeboat and davit system. The crew must confirm that all lifeboat-related equipment has been inspected prior to the drill.

A Risk Assessment and a work permit must be completed prior to the drill. These documents must outline the potential hazards associated with the drill, safety precautions in place, and emergency procedures. 

The lifeboat drill must be conducted only under safe weather conditions. 

The vessel must ensure that the drill is supervised by a qualified officer (e.g., the Captain or Chief Engineer). The drill must be executed according to the vessel’s emergency procedures, and all crew members must participate in the drill as specified in the ship’s emergency response plan.

Adequate emergency equipment must be available during the drill, including first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and firefighting equipment. The vessel must ensure that these items are in working condition and easily accessible during the drill.

The ship owner must carry appropriate liability insurance covering potential accidents or damage occurring during the drill. The vessel must assume full responsibility for the safety of its crew and the proper execution of the drill.

The vessel must maintain records of all lifeboat drills conducted, including dates, crew participation, equipment checks, and any incidents that occurred during the drill. These records must be available for inspection by the Authority upon request.