Aids to Navigation Reviews

According to the National Procedures Manual for Design and Review of Marine Short-Range Aids to Navigation Systems, all aids to navigation in Canada must be reviewed every five years. This process ensures that lights, buoys and other short-range aids meet mariners needs in a safe yet economical way.

In Central and Arctic Region, five Review Officers are responsible for the execution of this process, which is designed to identify user needs and apply national standards for provision to the existing aids to navigation systems.

This extensive process requires the collection and evaluation of data such as the weather and the number of marine incidents in a given area. The type of craft using the waterway is identified, as well as the volume of traffic created by all marine clients.

Our Review Officers consult with users of the system throughout the review process, determine and evaluate options for change in the system to meet the national standards and policies. Once all the information is collected and the user consultations are complete, a Level of Service Statement is released, outlining the visible short-range marine aids system being provided.