Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (S.C. 2001, c. 26).

The purpose of the present Act is to: a) protect the health and well-being of individuals, including the crews of vessels, who participate in marine transportation and commerce; b) promote safety in marine transportation and recreational boating; c) protect the marine environment from damage due to navigation and shipping activities; d) develop a regulatory scheme that encourages viable, effective and economical marine transportation and commerce; e) promote an efficient marine transportation system; f) develop a regulatory scheme that encourages the viable, effective and economical use of Canadian waters by recreational boaters; g) ensure that Canada can meet its international obligations under bilateral and multilateral agreements with respect to navigation and shipping; h) encourage the harmonization of marine practices; and i) establish an effective inspection and enforcement program.The text consists of 31 sections divided into 13 Parts as follows: General (1); Registration, listing and recording (2); Personnel (3); Safety (4); Navigation services (5); Incidents, accidents and casualties (6); Wreck (7); Pollution, prevention and response — Department of Transport and Department of Fisheries and Oceans (8); Pollution prevention – Department of Transport (9); Pleasure craft (10); Enforcement – Department of Transport (11); Miscellaneous (12); Transitional (13). Three Schedules are enclosed.