MAB Subcommittee on Cost Reduction Plan, Application of Technology and Aids to Navigation
Terms of Reference - June 1997

Mandate

The Subcommittee on cost reduction opportunities, application of technology and aids to navigation will examine the plans of the Coast Guard to reduce its present operating costs as they affect the services provided to commercial shipping, including the Coast Guard's plans for modernization of the Aids to Navigation system and MCTS system, and will consider how technology is being, and can be, applied as a means of lowering operating costs. The Subcommittee will provide its advice to the Commissioner, through the Marine Advisory Board. The Commissioner and Minister remain accountable for ensuring the adequacy of those components of the marine safety system provided within the mandate of CCG/DFO.

Terms of Reference:

The Subcommittee will:

• Review Coast Guard's present cost reduction plans, and overall business plans, including investment requirements, and bring forward additional suggestions as to how these plans can be improved upon;
• Review the aids to navigation system modernization strategy currently being pursued by the Coast Guard, and advise on further opportunities to continue reducing the costs of this major program while continuing to meet international and Canadian safety standards;
• Consider the impact of expected CCG cost reductions on the activities which are subject to the Fees for Navigation Services or Ice Services; and,
• Suggest additional areas for operational efficiency improvements within Coast Guard, and opportunities for commercialization or privatization.

The Subcommittee will also:

• Review the Canadian Coast Guard aids to navigation system design methodology and levels of service standards; and,
• Advise the Coast Guard regarding the appropriateness of the standards governing the services used by the commercial user.

In considering opportunities for adjustment of present levels of service or other national standards which currently govern the provision of the Coast Guard services used by commercial operators, the Subcommittee will keep in mind the need to ensure that international safety and technical standards continue to be met.

Where it is evident from inputs received from the Regional Boards and their working groups that national standards are hampering service changes all user groups believe are acceptable, the subcommittee will provide advice to Coast Guard on what it believes would be acceptable revisions tot he national standard to accommodate those concerns.

Alternatively, if the service is required only by non-commercial users, or is of benefit primarily to the general public, the cost of such service must be correctly attributed.

Regional Input

Input will be invited from the Regional Marine Advisory Boards, and the working groups within each region currently reviewing the aids to navigation now provided by Coast Guard.

However, the Subcommittee will not be expected to bring forward recommendations on the need for, maintenance of, or removal of, individual aids to navigation, as this work can only be carried out at the local level with direct users.

New Technologies

The Subcommittee will identify for Coast Guard emerging technologies it believes are worthy of investigation, the application of which would, in its view, permit further efficiencies in Coast Guard operations.

Membership

• Chairman: Fritz King - Halifax Shipping Association
• Vice Chair: M. Turner - Deputy Commissioner, Coast Guard

MAB Members:

• Dan Chapman  - Council of Marine Carriers
• Maury Sjoquist - Canadian Merchant Service Guild

Non-MAB Members:

• Capt. Kirk Jones - Canada Steamship Lines (CSL)
• Capt. Mark Walters - Pacific Coast Pilots
• Tom Sellors - Atlantic Pilotage Authority
• Ivan Lantz - Shipping Federation of Canada
• Capt. Michel Pouliot - Canadian Marine Pilots Assn.
• Capt. Jerry Bissette - Ship Masters Association
• A representative from St. Lawrence Industry - P. Caron to advise.
• A representative from Newfoundland - Brendan Mitchell to advise.

Schedule:

Final selection of members: 30 May 1997
Initial meeting & briefing of Subcommittee: 19 June 1997
Subcommittee to identify additional opportunities: July 1997 - Aug. 1997
Subcommittee to identify new technologies : Aug. 1997 - Sept. 1997
Report to Marine Advisory Board: At MAB Monthly meetings.
Review of progress to date, conclusions and advice to Commissioner: Sept. 1997