NAVWARN details

As of June 1, 2023, the ECHO Program voluntary inshore lateral displacement is now in effect for all tug and barge vessels transiting the Canadian inshore area of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to reduce the impacts of commercial shipping on at-risk whales in this key area.  

When safe and operationally feasible to do so, tugs are requested to move south of the known killer whale area of importance and navigate either through the outbound shipping lane or the inshore lateral displacement zone, maintaining a buffer distance of 1,000 metres from the traffic separation scheme (TSS).  

The inshore lateral displacement zone is 1,500 m wide and occurs in the area between longitudes 123° 52.3532' W 48° 18.6222' N and 124° 31.5563' W 48° 28.8886' N, covering a distance of approximately 28 nm.  This initiative will remain in effect 24 hours per day until 2359 PDT on October 31, 2023.

For more detailed information related to the lateral displacement and the ECHO program, refer to the following internet web address: https://www.portvancouver.com/echo/