Do commercial ships get preference over fishing vessels? Will the CCG escort fishing vessels in ice?
The priority of the Canadian Coast Guard is the safety of life at sea. The CCG also provides services to ensure the safety of navigation and to improve the efficiency of traffic movement in ice covered waters. When a vessel requests icebreaker assistance, the CCG must consider the capability of the vessel to navigate safely along its intended route. This policy pertains to commercial ships, ferries, fishing vessels and pleasure craft. Typically, fishing vessels engaged in sealing activities are not strengthened or reinforced enough for navigation in ice (hulls, shafts, propellers and rudders); therefore, the CCG will not escort fishing vessels into the ice due the high risk for ice damage. CCG may provide escorts to assist sealing vessels out of heavy ice conditions and into workable-ice or open water only. CCG will not provide escorts to allow sealing vessels direct access to seal herds or break up ice floes to prevent sealing vessels from damaging their vessels while attempting to re
