Transport Canada MSMSR Compliance

Stay on the water.
Get compliant without the paperwork headache.

If you run a tour boat, water taxi, charter, or workboat in Canada, we build your Safety Management System and get you through Transport Canada from start to finish.

Your grace period end date under MSMSR SOR/2024-133 depends on your vessel's registration date. Commercial passenger operators (water taxis, tour boats, charter vessels, and more) may already be in the enforcement window. Based in the Thousand Islands. Serving operators across Canada.

Start Your Free Assessment View Services
20+
Years safety
management
Class 4
Regional
specialist
$250k
$250k Max fine per incident for
non-compliance

MSMSR for Tow and Tug Boat Operators: What You Need to Know

Towing vessel operators have MSMSR obligations most don
MSMSR SOR/2024-133 is now in force Class 4 passenger vessels: grace period ended July 2025 TC review takes up to 45 business days, start now Book a free call
What We Do

Complete SMS services for commercial operators

From gap analysis to fully certified Safety Management System (SMS) documentation - Aurora handles the regulatory complexity so you can focus on running your operation.

SMS Development Class 4B

A complete, custom Safety Management System tailored to your vessel class, operation type, and crew. Not a generic template with your name on it. Includes all documentation required by Transport Canada (TC) under TP 15566.

  • Gap analysis and operational assessment
  • Full SMS manual, procedures, and checklists
  • All supporting forms and documentation
$1,799 per vessel
TC application and annual review not included. Multi-vessel discount available.
Most Popular

Full Compliance Package

Everything from first call to certified vessel. We handle the entire process so you can focus on running your operation - not navigating Transport Canada's bureaucracy.

  • Gap analysis and site visit
  • Complete custom SMS development
  • TC application submission (Forms 85-0547A and 85-0547B)
  • Follow-up with TC through to certification
  • Year 1 annual internal review included
$3,499 per vessel, all-inclusive
Save $699+ versus individual services. Operators with multiple vessels receive a discount - contact us for fleet pricing.

Gap Analysis

We assess your current operations against the MSMSR checklist and identify exactly what your SMS needs to be compliant - before TC does it for you.

From $699

TC Application Support

Already have your SMS documentation in order? We prepare and submit your TC application package and follow up with Transport Canada until your Canadian Maritime Document (CMD) is issued.

Documents required:
  • Completed SMS manual
  • Form 85-0547A (Ship Manager identification)
  • Form 85-0547B (Initial certification application)
  • Vessel Certificate of Registry
  • Crew certificates (Master, officers, per class)
  • Declaration of Initial Compliance (Class 4B)
From $799

Crew Training & Drills

Two structured programs designed for TC inspection readiness. Delivered in person at your vessel. Signed documentation for your SMS file included.

  • Product A: SMS Crew Familiarization - $800
  • Product B: Annual Review & Drill - $1,200
  • Annual Package (A+B): $1,800
From $800 per session

Annual SMS Review

Your SMS is a living document. Each year we conduct your mandatory internal review, update procedures as regulations change, verify certificate currency, and issue a Management Review Report. Included in all Full Compliance Packages.

$999 / year (standalone)

Inspection Prep

Facing a TC audit? We conduct a pre-inspection review, brief your Master, and make sure your documentation is ready for scrutiny.

$999
Entry-Point Programs

Class 5 Starter Pack

A simplified, templated Safety Management System for non-passenger commercial vessels under 15 Gross Tonnes (GT). Designed for solo operators, small workboats, and survey vessels who need to comply with the MSMSR without the overhead of a fully custom SMS.

  • Pre-built SMS template customized to your vessel and operation
  • Ship Manager identification and Form 85-0547A guidance
  • 30-minute orientation call included
  • One round of revisions included
$1,499
Ideal for Class 5 vessels whose grace period ends July 2027

The Bridge

For operators who are currently enrolled in the Small Vessel Compliance Program (SVCP) and need to transition to full Marine Safety Management System Regulations (MSMSR) compliance. We assess what you already have and build only what's missing.

  • Gap analysis against MSMSR from your existing SVCP documentation
  • Delta SMS development - only what's new under MSMSR
  • TC application submission and follow-up
  • Transition briefing for your Master and crew
$1,299
Faster and less expensive than starting from scratch
Additional vessels under the same operator quoted separately.

MSMSR for Tow and Tug Boat Operators: What You Need to Know

Towing vessel operators have MSMSR obligations most don
Why Aurora Marine

Built by someone who's actually been on the water

Aurora Marine Safety Group is led by Lisa Krygsveld, a licensed commercial boat captain, Naval Reserve Port Inspection Diver, and PADI Instructor with 30 years on the water, combined with 20 years building and auditing safety systems at the Toronto Transit Commission.

Lisa Krygsveld, Aurora Marine Safety Group
Lisa Krygsveld
Principal Consultant
Currently working with operators in the
Kingston and Thousand Islands region
Licensed Commercial Boat Captain

Dive Brockville (2022-present) · SVOP · MED · PCOC · ROC-M

20 Years Safety System Development

Toronto Transit Commission · Flight Safety Officer DND · Incident investigation & compliance

Naval Reserve Port Inspection Diver

DND (2018-present) · PADI Scuba Instructor · EFR First Aid Instructor Trainer

CAF Pilot, CH118 Iroquois SAR

1988-1994 · Search and rescue operations

"I write SMS manuals the way I'd want one written for my own boat, clear enough that any captain can follow it on day one, thorough enough to satisfy Transport Canada."

Lisa Krygsveld, Principal Consultant
Regulatory Experience

20 years working with government regulators

Direct experience with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, WSIB, and municipal regulatory agencies. That background translates directly to building SMS documentation that satisfies Transport Canada.

Class 4
Regional specialist
5 yr
CMD validity period
CA
Serving operators
across Canada
30+
Years on the water
How Long Does It Actually Take?

Realistic SMS completion times

These are honest estimates based on real SMS development. Time varies based on how organized your current operations are and how available you are to provide information.

Class 4B Single vessel, single captain 8-15 hrs
Class 4B Seasonal crew or multiple vessels 15-25 hrs
Class 4A Larger vessel, complex operation 25-40 hrs
+ Impl. Add crew training and full implementation +5-10 hrs

TC takes up to 45 business days to review your application. Factor this into your timeline.

Compliance Calendar

Grace period end dates for Class 4 operators

Jul 2024 MSMSR comes into force, compliance clock starts
Jul 2025 Class 4A & 4B passenger vessels over 7m, compliance deadline
Jul 2026 Class 4B vessels 7m and under, compliance deadline
Jul 2027 Class 5 vessels, compliance deadline
TC takes up to 45 business days to review applications. Allow adequate time before your grace period ends.

MSMSR for Tow and Tug Boat Operators: What You Need to Know

Towing vessel operators have MSMSR obligations most don
Know Your Requirements

Which class is your vessel?

Transport Canada classifies vessels by size and operation type. Your class determines your grace period end date and certification path.

Class 4A

Over 15 Gross Tonnes (GT), Under 24m

Requires a Canadian Document of Compliance (CDOC) and Canadian Safety Management Certificate (CSMC) from Transport Canada (TC) or a Recognized Organization.

Mid-size tour boats, larger charters, island ferries
Class 4B - Passenger

15 GT or less, Passenger-carrying

Simplified Declaration of Compliance. Requires a Canadian Safety Management Certificate (CSMC). The most common class for small commercial passenger vessels across Canada.

Water taxis, fishing charters, dive boats, small tours
Class 4B - Towing

Tugs and Towboats, 15 GT or less

Declaration of Compliance required. Must address Transportation Safety Board (TSB) risk assessment recommendation M23-02.

Commercial tugs, towboats, vessel assists
Class 5

15 GT or less, Non-passenger

No Canadian Maritime Document (CMD) required, but a Safety Management System (SMS) is still mandatory. Ship Manager must be identified in the SMS.

Patrol boats, survey vessels, crew-only commercial vessels

Not sure which class applies to your vessel?

Use our free vessel classifier
How It Works

From first call to certified SMS

We work with Transport Canada's 6-month implementation timeline, not against it. Most clients are certified within 8 weeks of their first call.

Book a free consultation
1
Free Discovery Call

We discuss your vessel, operation, and where your grace period stands. Honest assessment of where you stand and what you need, no jargon, no pressure.

2
Intake & Assessment

We work through the intake questionnaire with you in person or virtually, whichever saves you more time and expense. You provide the operational knowledge; we handle the regulatory complexity.

3
Gap Analysis Report

A clear written report showing exactly what your SMS needs, what you already have, and what we'll build from scratch.

4
SMS Development

We write your complete SMS manual, procedures, checklists, forms, and supporting documentation, tailored to your specific vessel and operation.

5
TC Application

We submit Forms 85-0547A and 85-0547B with your SMS manual and manage the process through to certificate issuance.

6
Implementation & Ongoing Support

Crew briefings, drill facilitation, annual review and ongoing SMS maintenance to keep you compliant and inspection-ready every season.

Why Operators Trust Aurora Marine

Credentials that speak for themselves

Currently working with operators in the Kingston and Thousand Islands region. Ask us about our process.

30+ Years on the Water

Licensed commercial boat captain, Naval Reserve Port Inspection Diver, and PADI Scuba Instructor. This is not a desk job translated to marine - this is someone who has operated the vessels your SMS needs to protect.

20 Years Building Safety Systems

Two decades developing, implementing, and auditing safety management systems at the Toronto Transit Commission - one of Canada's most complex safety-critical operations. That rigour now applies to your vessel.

Experience Navigating Regulatory Agencies

20 years working directly with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, WSIB, and municipal regulatory bodies. We know how regulators think, what they look for, and how to build documentation that holds up to scrutiny.

CAF Pilot and Flight Safety Officer

CH118 Iroquois SAR pilot (1988-1994) and DND Flight Safety Officer. Experience in incident investigation and safety culture in one of the most demanding operational environments in Canada.

Work With Us Your Way

Everything can be done virtually to minimize your time and expense, wherever you operate in Canada. When an in-person site visit adds value, we come to you.

Regulators Think Like Regulators

Twenty years building safety systems that had to satisfy government auditors means we know what Transport Canada is looking for before they ask for it. Your SMS is built to pass, not just to exist.

Common Questions

What operators ask us

Still have questions? Contact us directly.

If your vessel is used commercially and carries passengers, tows other vessels, or is 15 GT or more, you almost certainly need a documented SMS under the MSMSR (SOR/2024-133). $250k Max fine per incident for non-compliance. We can confirm your requirements at no charge.

Timeline depends on the size of your fleet and the complexity of your operations; we will give you an estimate at intake. A typical single-vessel engagement runs 4-8 weeks from intake to submitted application. Transport Canada then takes up to 45 business days to review, though current backlogs can run closer to 13 weeks. If your deadline is urgent, we offer priority service where we put the full team on your file for an accelerated turnaround. Once your certificates are issued, you have 6 months to fully implement your SMS.

Technically yes, but a TC inspector can tell immediately whether your SMS was written for your boat or copied from the internet. An SMS that doesn't match your actual operations creates more risk than it solves. A custom SMS costs more upfront but protects you far better.

Not necessarily, but it requires a specific structure. Your SMS should define qualifications by position rather than by individual, and include a crew competency matrix the Ship Manager maintains. This is one of the most common situations in this region and one we handle routinely.

The MSMSR requires periodic internal reviews of your SMS. For Class 4 operators, this means at minimum an annual review, typically timed to your pre-season or lay-up cycle. We facilitate the review, update procedures, check certificate expiries, and issue a Management Review Report demonstrating compliance.

Yes, and for most Class 4 operations, they are. A DPA is only mandatory for Class 2 vessels. For Class 4, it's best practice. In small owner-operated businesses, the Authorized Representative, Ship Manager, and DPA are typically all the same person. This is perfectly acceptable under MSMSR as long as it's documented in your SMS.

Blog & Guides

Plain-language help for operators

Everything you need to understand your obligations under the MSMSR, in language that makes sense.

Guide · 8 min read
MSMSR for Charter Boat Operators: What You Actually Need to Do

Confused about the new regulations? This plain-language guide covers vessel classes, compliance deadlines, what you need to build, and the steps in order.

Read the guide
Article · 6 min read
What Happens If You Miss Your MSMSR Deadline?

What enforcement looks like, what TC inspectors check for, and what to do if your deadline has already passed.

Read the article
Article · 8 min read
Fishing Vessel vs. Charter Fishing Vessel: What the MSMSR Actually Requires

Your passenger certification - not your gear - determines your compliance obligations. Here is what each category of operator actually needs to do.

Read the article
Checklist · 9 min read
What Must Be in Your MSMSR Safety Management System

Every element TC requires in your SMS, explained in plain language. Use this as a checklist before you start writing or to review what you already have.

Read the guide

Your grace period may be closer to ending than you think.

TC takes up to 45 business days to review your application. Start now and have your certificates in hand before enforcement begins.

Start Free Assessment Talk to Lisa
Get In Touch

Let's talk about your vessel

Whether you're starting from scratch or past your grace period end date, we can help. The first call is always free.

Based In
Gananoque, Ontario
Ontario and across Canada
Response Time
Within 24 hours
Same day for urgent compliance questions

Send us a message