Canso

1. Miramichi Bay boarding — ice season, LOA over 222.5m Pilot boards45°24.0′N 061°01.0′W
2. Strait of Canso Inner Approach 2 Pilot boards45°32.0′N 060°46.0′W
3. Strait of Canso Northern Approach Pilot boards45°41.7′N 061°28.3′W

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 38.10m, breadth 8.95m, 193DWT and draught 3.40m.

Offshore: Max LOA 244.73m, breadth 32.22m, 75,569DWT and draught 11.90m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range approx 1.6m (spring) and approx 1.4m (neap). The flood sets N and the ebb sets S. The strongest rates of do not exceed 1kt.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

A breakwater extends about 0.15nm N from the shore at Lanigan Beach (45°20'N 060°59'W) with its outer end lying across Grave Island (covers at half tide). Tickle Channel, a narrow passage with a least depth of 0.3m, separates Durell Island from the mainland.

There are 3 channels leading to Canso Harbour: from the SE, through a channel SW of Cranberry Islands, 49°19'N 060°56'W, this channel leads between many islands and shoals and should only be used in good clear weather. Moored 1.5m E of Cape Canso lies the Cape Breaker Lighted Buoy, which marks the outer approach to this channel. The least depth is 6.1m in the SE entrance to the harbour.

From the E, through a deep water channel N of Cranberry Islands, the least depth is 8.8m. The approach is then marked by Lanigan Range Lights, in line bearing 266.5° (Lanigan Range Lights should not be opened to the E). This leads S of Grime Shoal Lighted Buoy and between White Rock and Sand Shoal. This continues through between Frying Pan Shoal and Budget Rock, to Grassy Island Lighted Buoy (about 0.2m S of Grassy Island). Finally, between the shoal water off Grave Island and the buoy marking the fairway, the E entrance to the harbour has a least depth of 5.5m.

From the N, at around 0.5m ESE, Canso harbour leads between Net Rocks (45°21'N., 61°00'W) and Bald Rock. On the W side of Hart Island, there are two lights shown from skeleton towers about 0.8 mile SE of Net Rocks, when in line bearing 170° lead through between Bald Rock and Bald Rock Light. On this range a depth of 11m can be maintained however the fairway is narrow and local knowledge is advised. Continuing N, between Durrell Island, (45°21'N 061°01'W) and Piscatiqui Island, 0.5nm E, the least depth is 11.9m in the N entrance to the harbour.

Caution: Great care is necessary in approaching Canso Harbour, especially in fog, as the 55m depth contour is only 0.2nm outside some of the most dangerous ledges.

It is also advised that local knowledge is necessary when travelling through the channel of Hart Island and Pascatiqui Island, due to the fact that the passage is only 45m wide.

Anchorages

Anchorage is available in depths of 8m-12m, however the area is often crowded with fishing vessels and the swinging room is limited.

Restrictions

Thin ice can form in the port during the month of February.

Great care is necessary in approaching Canso Harbour, especially in fog, as the 55m depth contour is only 0.2nm outside some of the most dangerous ledges.

A submarine power cable is laid between the Cranberry Islands (45°19'N 060°56'W) and a point on the mainland about 0.3nm SE of Grave Island breakwater. Submarine cables also cross the N approaches to Canso harbour in the vicinity of Bald Reef and close to the waterfront in the area/zone. Mariners are cautioned not to anchor in the vicinity.

The ports fendering system has suffered considerable damage, vessels should be prepared to compensate for this deficiency.

Charts and publications

BA 4748, 4756, 4757, 4758. Can 4335, 4281. Admiralty Pilot NP65.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

Inspection of ships in Canada

Transport Canada,

Inspection and Operations Standards Division,

Tower C, Place de Ville, 330 Sparks Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5.

For Flag State Inspection Standards (Canadian Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 991 4818

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

For Port State Control Standards (Foreign Vessels):

Tel: +1 613 991 3135

Fax: +1 613 993 8196

Teletypewriter / TDD: +1 888 675 6863

Email: [email protected]

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Directorate Marine Security - Transport Canada.

Position: Director General.

Address: 112 Kent Street, Tower B, Place de Ville, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON5, Canada.

Tel: +1 613 851 6302

Fax: +1 613 949 3906

Website: http://www.tc.gc.ca

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available in limited quantities.

Bunkering: Diesel and fuel oil available by road tanker.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Eastern Memorial Hospital (1.3km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Port Hawkesbury, (100km) and Halifax International (328km).

Working hours

Working hours are 0800-1200hrs and 1300-1700hrs.

Where it is

The port of Canso is located on the SE tip of Nova Scotia, S of Hart Island, at the mouth of Chedabucto Bay.

The port

A small fishing port with numerous berths. Navigation is possible all year round except occasionally, in Feb due to ice forming. Offshore STS also available which handles bulk carriers.

Where does the pilot board at Canso?

The pilot boards at Miramichi Bay boarding — ice season, LOA over 222.5m, 45°24.0′N 061°01.0′W. Canso has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Canso in?

Local time at Canso is UTC−4. Clocks go to UTC−3 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−4 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Canso?

The deepest berth listed is at Canso STS: 11.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Canso?

1025.

Which load line zone is Canso in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Canso?

Port State Control at Canso: Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Canso?

The UN/LOCODE of Canso is CACAH.

What crews who called at Canso say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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