AIS Carriage Requirement for St. Lawrence Seaway

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC), in coordination with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, promulgated a rule making use of Automatic Identification System (AIS) mandatory for certain vessels operating in Seaway waters between St. Lambert, Quebec and Long Point (mid-Lake Erie). The requirement comes into effect with the opening of the 2003 navigation season, scheduled for March 25, 2003. Among the vessels covered by the new rule are commercial vessels that require pre-clearance and are of 300 gross tons or greater, have a length overall of greater than 20 meters, or carry more than 50 passengers for hire.