Marine law & right of way for an aircraft on the water
Aircraft on the waters of a harbour, port, lake, or other navigable waterway = vessel (TC AIM AIR 2.11.1).
- Must follow marine regulations and CAR 602.20.
- Normal air rules still apply.
Marine law that reaches an aircraft on the water:
| Law | Effect on aircraft |
|---|---|
| Collision Regulations | Apply to every seaplane on or over Canadian waters. Rule 18: seaplane on water keeps well clear of all vessels, avoids impeding their navigation, complies with the Rules where risk of collision exists. |
| Canada Marine Act | Harbour commissions and port authorities restrict vessel operations in their jurisdiction. Restrictions also apply to aircraft underway or at rest on harbour water. |
| Canada Shipping Act, 2001 | Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations prohibit or restrict vessel operation on certain lakes and waterways in Canada. |
Aircraft manoeuvring on the water, CAR 602.20:
| Situation | Action | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel or aircraft on your right | You give way | 602.20(1) |
| Head-on, or approximately so | Alter heading to the right | 602.20(2) |
| Overtaking another aircraft or a vessel | Alter heading to keep well clear, no side specified | 602.20(3) |
Trap: treating aircraft on water as exempt from marine regulations (it is a vessel); water overtaking (602.20(3)) only requires keeping well clear, no side, while air overtaking (602.19(6)) requires altering heading to the right.
References
- TC AIM AIR 2.11.1
- CARs 602.20