Press Release

PortsToronto and Toronto Marine Emergency Response Council (TMERC) host 26th Annual Marine Safety Day

Toronto · May 13, 2024

PortsToronto and its Toronto Marine Emergency Response Council (TMERC) partners today hosted the 26^th annual Marine Safety Day at the Port of Toronto’s Cruise Ship Terminal.

This year’s Marine Safety Day brought together more than 250 crew and officers who will be working aboard the tour boats that operate in the Toronto Harbour throughout the summer. This annual safety training ensures that tour boat crew and officers are equipped with the valuable skills required to deal with any emergency situation, should one arise.

Expert trainers from the Toronto Police Services Marine Unit and Toronto Fire Marine Unit guided participants through training modules and provided hands-on emergency preparedness exercises that included first aid, fighting a fire, water rescues, crowd control and abandoning ship.

Marine Safety Day also provides an opportunity for PortsToronto’s Harbour Master to lead a training module on Toronto Harbour regulations – notably vessel speed limits and no wake zones. New this year, a module on vessel noise in the harbour was delivered in an effort to educate vessel crew and officers on the regulations associated with vessel noise, penalties associated with infractions and methods to mitigate vessel noise and prevent disruption for other vessels as well as residents and visitors to the Toronto Harbour.

For more information on speed and noise regulations in the Toronto Harbour, or to provide feedback, please visit the PortsToronto website.

“PortsToronto is responsible for the safety of marine navigation in the Toronto Harbour. With more people than ever enjoying and exploring Toronto’s waterfront, ensuring boater safety is a key priority for PortsToronto,” said Michael Riehl, Director of Harbour Operations and Harbour Master, PortsToronto.

“Safety Training programs are one of the national Passenger and Commercial Vessel Associations’ key membership perks. With most of Toronto’s Transport Canada certified passenger boats being members, it is always our mandate to provide a safe and educated environment for our industry,” said Jill Hicks, Executive Director, Passenger and Commercial Vessel Association.

About the Toronto Port Authority

The Toronto Port Authority owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomes approximately two million passengers and generates approximately $2 billion in economic impact per year; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada’s largest freshwater marinas; and the marine Port of Toronto, which facilitates businesses such as marine shipping, cargo services and passenger cruises to generate approximately $460 million in economic activity annually. Since 1911, and in its role as a city builder, the Toronto Port Authority has worked with partners and every level of government to enhance Toronto’s transportation infrastructure and economic growth. The Toronto Port Authority is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities, and has invested more than $30 million in recent years to fund charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond.

The Toronto Port Authority is a federal agency and operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act. It is guided by a Board of Directors that includes representation from all three levels of government.

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