Marine

28 April 2004

Mr. Camille H. Thériault
Chairman
Transportation Safety Board of Canada
c/o Board Report Services
Place du Centre
200 Promenade du Portage, 4th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 1K8

Dear Mr. Thériault:

Thank you for your letter of January 19, 2004, providing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) with the opportunity to respond to Recommendation TSB M03-03 of the Investigation Report M99L0126 (M0110) Traverse du Nord, St. Lawrence River, November 9, 1999, and subsequent near-collision December 5, 1999.

DFO has been working on the issues addressed in the recommendations. In early 2002, shortly after the initial Transportation Safety Board findings had been released to DFO, an interdepartmental committee - the Transport Canada Marine Safety (TC-MS) Department of Fisheries and Oceans/Canadian Coast Guard (DFO/CCG) task force on improving emergency response management - was formed. The main areas for improvement identified at that time were:

• Co-ordination among the players;
• Review of the Alerting and Warning Network; and
• Development of a common risk analysis method.

A progress report on the Alerting and Warning Network was submitted to the committee in early February 2004. This report reviews the operation of the network and proposes a series of improvements ranging from upgrading the computer equipment to establishing protocols with all players involved in reviewing the players' information needs. We are currently establishing the protocols and consulting the appropriate agencies for the needs review.

The CCG prepared a progress report in June 2003 concerning a common risk analysis method.

This report proposes a risk evaluation for each work area, determines scenarios on the basis of the risks, and describes the roles and responsibilities for the preparation, response and recovery phases of incidents.

The CCG is now developing a common risk analysis methodology and is working with Transport Canada to prepare its risk analysis methods. Once TC has completed its work, the departments will work together to develop a common approach.

The Laurentian Pilotage Authority (LPA) and the Corporation of Pilots will be invited to join the task force once the Alerting Network review and the development of a risk analysis method have advanced to the point where they can participate in them. It was felt that, before this could happen, there was a need to review all responses and ensure good co-ordination between the two main players, TC and CCG. Exercises involving more players, including the LPA, are part of the action plans for 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. Meetings between CCG and LPA are being planned for this spring, and the LPA will be brought up to date with the work being done within the CCG.

I am confident this will address the recommendation of the Board. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

[Original letter signed by Geoff Regan from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans]

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