Consultation on the Directive Channel Monitoring Surveys

Background

The Canadian Coast Guard's Waterways Management Program conducts bathymetric (sounding) surveys of some 50 waterways in Canada. These surveys are conducted to ensure that the depths provided to mariners are not obstructed by shoals, debris or other obstacles to navigation. Once detected, these obstacles are communicated through notices to mariners or by other methods. The frequency of bathymetric surveys varies for each waterway depending on the different parameters that modify the bed of the watercourse (sedimentation of suspended solids, transport of sediments by underflow, movement of debris in spring run-off etc). In view of continuous improvement, the Waterways Management Program is reviewing its bathymetric survey procedures to make them more effective and efficient.

Objective   

The objective of this directive is to prioritize the surveys of all waterways under the Waterways Management Program. This prioritization is based on an analysis that first estimates the frequency of the surveys necessary for each of the waterways and then assesses the potential risks based on four criteria. This prioritization enables the program to offer its clients high quality service within the allocated budgets. To this end, the Waterways Management Program would like to consult its external clients to get their comments on using this new methodology for conducting surveys on the waterways.

Methodology

As stated above, the methodology uses certain elements of the risk analysis to prioritize the waterways. The frequency of the surveys and each of the four elements of the risk analysis are weighted based on the regional personnel's experience and knowledge. The resulting prioritization is then reviewed by all the regions to ensure the accuracy of the assessment. Once adopted, this prioritization will be used to determine the waterways that will be surveyed during the fiscal year. This prioritization exercise will be redone each year and the methodology will be improved as needed. In following years, we plan to add data on marine traffic to better estimate the use and needs of the country's commercial waterways.

Results

The results of this first national prioritization exercise are outlined in the document national_prioritization. This document includes the estimated frequency of the surveys, the year of the last survey and the year planned for the next survey. The document surveys 2010 outlines the waterways that will be surveyed in 2010 based on the budgets available. This table should be read as follows:

• The waterways highlighted in green will be surveyed in 2010.
• The waterways highlighted in yellow will be theoretically surveyed in future years.
• The waterways highlighted in red will not be surveyed in 2010. Their status will be assessed again next year.
• Out of the 25 waterways planned for 2010, 8 will not be surveyed, which is approximately one third. Lastly, the document location_maps shows the location of the country's waterways and their status with regard to the frequency of surveys.

Comments

The use of a methodology based on a risk analysis is to provide equitable service to the clients served by the Waterways Management Program within the Canadian Coast Guard's budget. It is possible that this first prioritization exercise failed to consider important elements, elements which, ultimately, could affect navigation safety or adversely affect one of the clients served by the program.

To avoid this type of omission, the Waterways Management Program asks its clients to assess and provide comments on the methodology used and its application for the waterways that will be surveyed in 2010. 

We must keep in mind that maintaining safe and accessible waterways throughout the country remains the Canadian Coast Guard's priority.

Comments can be sent by September 3, 2010 through the Canadian Coast Guard Web site to this address:

XENT, Waterways Management