What is a Notice to Mariners?

For anyone involved in maritime activities—whether you're a professional mariner or a recreational boater—navigating safely is essential, along with your boat insurance.

One key element of maritime safety is them notice to mariners (NOTMAR), a critical communication tool that helps keep navigators informed about changes and updates on waterways that could affect their boat trips.

Get a Boat Insurance Quote

What Is a notice to mariners (NOTMAR)?

A notice to mariners (NOTMAR) is an official, regularly updated publication that provides critical information about navigational aids, chart corrections, and potential hazards to mariners. It’s a safety bulletin designed to help anyone navigating Canada’s waterways (and internationally) stay aware of changes that could impact safe passage.

NOTMARs are issued by national hydrographic offices or authorized governmental agencies. In Canada, they are provided by the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), in collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard. These updates are provided to mariners on a weekly basis to ensure that navigational charts and publications reflect the most current information.

Boat insurance is essential to protect your investment in your boat. Remember that boat insurance protects you, your belongings while you’re onboard, and most importantly it protects you financially if you injure or cause the death of someone or cause damage to another person’s boat or property while you’re operating your boat.

Key elements covered in a notice to mariners

A notice to mariners contains several key pieces of information that are essential for navigators. Some of the most common updates include:

• Chart corrections: Information about updates or errors related to nautical charts. These corrections ensure that maps reflect accurate details about the geography, depth soundings, and hazards of specific waterways.
• Navigational aids: Updates on buoys, lights, markers, and other aids to navigation that guide vessels safely through waterways. This includes information about new aids, changes to existing ones, or removal of aids no longer in service.
• Maritime hazards: Notifications about temporary or permanent hazards that could pose a threat to vessels. These could be anything from sunken vessels to new construction projects such as dredging operations or installation of new structures.
• Regulations and restrictions: Updates about new or modified rules and regulations that impact navigation. This can include temporary restrictions due to maritime events, such as regattas, or more permanent changes like the establishment of restricted zones.
• Tide and current data: Updates on tides and currents, particularly if there are any anomalies or expected changes due to unusual weather patterns, storms, or other natural events.

Why is NOTMAR important?

Navigating waterways involves dealing with constantly changing conditions. What was a safe, unobstructed route yesterday could have hazards today. Charts, while valuable, are only accurate as long as they are kept up to date. This is where NOTMAR comes in, ensuring mariners have the latest information.

Here’s why the notice to mariners is such a vital resource:

1. Safety first

The purpose of a NOTMAR is to promote safe navigation. By staying informed about hazards, changes in regulations, and updates to navigational aids, mariners can avoid dangerous situations that could lead to accidents, collisions, or groundings.

2. Ensuring compliance

Following maritime regulations isn’t just about safety; it’s also about legal compliance. NOTMARs provide information about new rules or restrictions that mariners must follow. Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to penalties or fines, making it crucial for mariners to stay informed.

3. Reducing delays

Navigating through unknown hazards or outdated information can result in costly delays. Whether it’s a commercial shipping vessel trying to avoid grounding or a recreational boater looking for safe waters, having access to current information helps prevent unnecessary detours or setbacks.

4. Accurate navigational planning

Planning a voyage—whether it’s for a short recreational trip or a long commercial journey—requires up-to-date information. NOTMARs help navigators accurately plan routes by accounting for any recent changes or potential obstacles, enabling smoother and more efficient voyages.

Who needs to pay attention to NOTMARs?

Although notices to mariners are often associated with professional mariners and large commercial vessels, they are equally important for recreational boaters. In Canada, for example, anyone operating a pleasure craft must be familiar with navigational rules and conditions in their area. Whether you're sailing a yacht, fishing boat, or even a small motorboat, understanding the waters you’re navigating is essential for your safety and the safety of others.

Here are a few groups of people who should regularly consult NOTMARs:

• Commercial shipping operators: Large vessels operating in Canadian waters need to be aware of all changes to navigation, both for legal compliance and for avoiding hazards that could damage their ships or cargo.
• Recreational boaters: Even if you’re just out for a casual sail, NOTMARs help you stay updated on changes to buoys, channels, and potential new obstacles in the water. Staying updated is especially important when navigating unfamiliar waters.
• Fishing vessels: Fishers navigating coastal waters need to be aware of potential hazards, such as construction or environmental changes that could impact fishing grounds.

• Marine pilots and harbor masters: Those responsible for guiding ships into harbors or along key waterways rely on the latest NOTMARs to ensure safe passage.

How to access NOTMARs in Canada

The Canadian Hydrographic Service, along with the Canadian Coast Guard, makes notices to mariners readily accessible. NOTMARs are available for free online, and you can subscribe to receive updates on a regular basis. This ensures that you’re always aware of the latest changes.

Here’s how you can access notices to mariners in Canada:

• Online: The official NOTMAR website provides access to all Canadian Notices to Mariners. You can download updates, browse recent notices, and search by region or specific topic.
• NOTMAR subscription: Mariners can sign up to receive email updates that alert them to new notices. This service is particularly useful for those who need to stay on top of changes but don’t want to constantly check the website.
• Mobile applications: Some mobile apps provide access to NOTMAR data, allowing mariners to check notices on the go. These apps often integrate other navigational tools, such as weather forecasts and GPS, making them valuable resources for boaters.
• Physical copies: While most mariners use digital resources, physical copies of NOTMARs are also available through certain maritime agencies.

A notice to mariners (NOTMAR) is an essential tool for safe and effective navigation. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recreational boater, staying updated with the latest NOTMARs helps ensure that your boating journey is safe and compliant with all regulations.

In Canada, NOTMARs are readily accessible, ensuring that you can easily stay informed about chart updates, navigational aids, hazards, and regulatory changes. Make sure to check for updates because conditions on the water can change rapidly.