Coast Guard vessel crew was training when gulf speed limit was breached

The crew of a Canadian Coast Guard vessel was training when it violated a speed limit last month meant to protect North Atlantic right whales, the federal government says.

Transport Canada announced Monday that it fined the Cape Edensaw and Cap d'Espoir $6,000 and $12,000 respectively for violating a temporary slowdown in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

In 2017, the coast guard 's Sir William Alexander was fined $6,000. 

The coast guard wouldn't provide an interview Tuesday. Spokesperson Barre Campbell said in a statement the coast guard will "fully comply with the terms" of the fine issued by the other federal department for violating the 10-knot limit. 

Search and rescue boats

The Cap d'Espoir was "conducting search and rescue exercises" near Rivière-au-Renard, Que., at the time of the infraction July 19, Campbell said. The Edensaw was in transit from Chaleur Bay to Souris, P.E.I., on July 13, Campbell said.

A federal website describes the vessels as search and rescue lifeboats with a crew of four. They have a maximum speed of 25 knots. Campbell said the Cap d'Espoir was travelling between 10 and 24 knots, while the Cape Edensaw was travelling between 10 and 10.4 knots.

The federal government imposed speed restrictions June 26 for vessels 20 metres or longer as endangered right whales were found dead in the gulf. On July 8, it expanded the rules to apply to any vessel 13 metres or longer. Eight have died in Canadian waters this year, with three deaths linked to ship strikes. There are only an estimated 400 right whales still alive.  

The coast guard's Marine Communications and Traffic Services tracks ships in real time and advises Transport Canada about non-compliance.

Cases are reviewed based on data collected by the coast guard. The federal government told CBC News last year that if enough evidence exists, a marine safety inspector could be dispatched to collect more information, including the vessel's log book. The marine safety inspector can issue a fine if non-compliance is verified. 

Jonathan Wilkinson, the minister responsible for the coast guard, didn't mention the vessels when asked by a reporter July 22 about ships speeding in the gulf. 

Wilkinson said there were about 17 instances of vessels violating the speed limit, though "most" were just barely above the limit, which may have been as a result of waves. 

"Those are not the ones that we're worried about," Wilkinson said. "We're worried about people who are either consciously ignoring or are going much too fast, or are simply not aware.

"Although, you know it's hard to believe that people are not aware — and those are the ones where we will be ensuring that we follow up and address those in a way that the regulations allow."

Wilkinson spoke at a Transport Canada airport hangar to thank those involved in whale rescues and surveillance efforts three days after Cap d'Espoir violated the speed limit and nine days after Cape Edensaw.

Campbell said the minister has written to the coast guard commissioner reiterating the importance of respecting the speed restriction. The coast guard is working with employees to ensure all are aware of, and respect the important rules that are in place to protect the whales.

The coast guard vessels were among six Transport Canada said it had fined Monday. Vessel owners have 30 days to appeal the fine. Most of the other vessels fined are much larger than the Coast Guard craft.

The Princess Ashita, a 29-metre yacht, was fined $6,000. The 183-metre tanker Isola Celeste and 108-metre cargo ship Oslo Bulk 3 were each fined $6,000. The container ship MSC Diego, at 259 metres, was fined $12,000.

Nine fines have been issued this year. Fines can be as high as $25,000. 

In 2017, after slower speeds were introduced to protect right whales, 14 vessels were each fined $6,000 for breaching the speed limit. Eleven of the 14 fines were for speeds of between 10.5 knots and 13.3 knots.