Canadian Maritime Regulation Compliance

106 (1) Every vessel, except the following vessels, must be equipped with a magnetic standard compass that is independent of any power source and that enables the vessel's heading to be determined and displayed at the main steering position:

• a) vessels 8 m or less in length navigating within sight of landmarks;
• b) cable ferries.

Exception — vessels with gross tonnage less than 150

(2) Despite subsection (1), a vessel with gross tonnage less than 150 may be equipped with the following equipment:

• a) if the vessel is not engaged in an international voyage, a magnetic steering compass;
• b) if the vessel is engaged in an international voyage, a magnetic steering compass and a gyrocompass.

Exception — vessels with gross tonnage 150 to 500

(3) Despite subsection (1), a vessel with gross tonnage of 150 or more but less than 500 may be equipped with the following equipment:

• a) if engaged in sheltered water, inland or near coastal voyage class 2 (non-international), a magnetic steering compass;
• b) if engaged in near coastal voyage class 1, unlimited voyage or international voyage, a magnetic steering compass and a gyrocompass.

(4) Compensation: The magnetic compass must be properly compensated and its table or curve of residual deviations must be accessible on board the vessel near the compass.

(5) Correction means: Vessels equipped with a magnetic compass, except pleasure craft with gross tonnage less than 150, must be equipped with means to make corrections at all times to obtain true heading and bearing.