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The Race to Alaska, Stage 1 is taking place from 141200 UTC Jun 2026 to 160000 UTC Jun 2026. Stage 1 starts in Port Townsend, Washington and will finish in Victoria, British Columbia.

Participants will be in small non-motorised vessels.

Prince Rupert MCTS. RADAR located at Ridley Island inoperative 130200 UTC Jun 2026.

Military Exercise Area WG will be active for surface, subsurface and air activities from 13 Jun 2026 1430 UTC to 14 Jun 2026 0200 UTC. During operations WG is extremely hazardous and closed to marine traffic. Entry is prohibited pursuant to the Defence Controlled Access Area Regulations. Safe passage is available within 0.5nm North of Winchelsea Island and within 0.5 nm East of Ballenas Island. Contact Winchelsea Island Control on VHF Channel 10 for additional information. Ref: NOTMAR F35 - Annual Edition.

Permanently discontinued.

Nominal range has changed to 4nm with 37 cd

Bridge repairs will take place at the Suncor Terminal in Port Moody at 49 17.523N 122 53.492W.

Hours of operation from 1330 to 0000 UTC daily from 09 June to 01 July.

FRPD vessels on site monitoring VHF channel 69.

Minimum wake.  

Range maintenance activity within 2 nautical miles of 49.18.00 N 124.0.00 W of Area WG.

All vessels must remain at least 1000 yards from vessels and proceed through this area with minimum wake. The remainder of Area WG is open to traffic.

Hours of operation from 0001 to 1400UTC from 10 to 15 June 2026.  

Vessels on site monitoring Ch 10 & 16 and will be restricted in abliity to manoeuvre.

Light Unreliable

Pile driving and dock construction will take place in Vancouver Harbour at 49 18.027N 123 02.557W.

Hours of operation are from 1330 to 0030 UTC daily from 05 to 27 June. 

Vessels on site monitoring VHF channel 18A. 

Minimum wake. 

 The private steel pile mounted navigation aid in the vicinity of 49 17.567N 122 52.050W reported unlit

Beacon Damaged

Beacon is now submerged and considered a hazard to navigation. 

Pile driving operations at the BC Ferries Crofton Terminal at 48 51.959N 123 38.241W.

Hours of operation daily from 1400-0200 UTC from Jun 2nd to July 2nd.

Vessels on site monitoring VHF CH. 08

Minimum wake

A new buoy has been deployed on Quesnel Lake at 52 30.793N 121 14.745W. LL 5583 Wildoat rock buoy.

Effective June 1 to October 31, 2026, the ECHO Program voluntary route alteration is active for all tugs transiting the Canadian inshore area of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to reduce underwater noise for at-risk whales.  

If it is safe and operationally feasible to do so, tugs are requested to navigate either through the outbound shipping lane or the inshore route alteration zone, while maintaining a buffer distance of 1,000 meters from the traffic separation scheme (TSS). The inshore route alteration zone is 1,500 meters wide and occurs between 123-52-21.192 W, 48-18-37.332 N and 124-31-33.378 W, 48-28-53.316 N, covering approximately 28 NM.  

The ECHO Program is led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in collaboration with government agencies, Indigenous communities, industry partners and environmental groups. 

For more detailed information, refer to the following internet web address: 

https://www.portvancouver.com/echo/ 

Effective June 1 to October 31, 2026, the ECHO Program voluntary ship slowdown in the vicinity of Swiftsure Bank is active for all inbound and outbound commercial and government vessels to reduce underwater noise for at-risk whales.  If it is safe and operationally feasible to do so, commercial and government vessels are requested to not exceed the following speeds through the water: 

11 knots – Bulkers, tankers, general cargo vessels, and government vessels; and, 

14.5 knots – Vehicle carriers, cruise ships, and container vessels. 

The voluntary ship slowdown takes place at Swiftsure Bank between 125° 17' W or 48° 19' N on the western or southern sides, and 124° 40’ W on the eastern side. All vessels transiting inbound or outbound are asked to slowdown when it is safe and operationally feasible to do so. Speed transition zones are in place about 2 nautical miles prior to entering the slowdown area. 

The ECHO Program is led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in collaboration with government agencies, Indigenous communities, industry partners and environmental groups. 

For more detailed information, refer to the following internet web address: 

https://www.portvancouver.com/echo/ 

Effective 0700 UTC JUN 1 2026, to comply with the Interim Order for the Protection of Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2026, vessels must not approach within a distance of 1000m of a Southern Resident Killer Whale in the Southern Resident Killer Whale critical habitat and British Columbia coastal waters east of Vancouver Island and south of Campbell River (Cape Mudge) and Ucluelet, including Barkley Sound (up to Port Alberni) and Howe Sound, with coordinates listed in Schedule 1 of the Interim Order.

These prohibitions are in effect until May 31st, 2027. Details of vessel exceptions from the approach distance are described in Sections 2(1), 2(2), 3(2), and 4(2) of the Interim Order. Note that vessels in transit are excepted from the approach distance measure.

Vessels must not operate or navigate within the two Vessel Restricted Zones, specifically those waters off the eastern coast of Saturna Island and southern coast of North Pender Island, with the coordinates listed in Schedule 2 of the Interim Order.

The Vessel Restricted Zones are in effect until November 30th, 2026. Details of vessel exceptions from the Vessel Restricted Zone prohibitions are described in Sections 2(1), 2(2), 5(2) and 6(2) of the Interim Order.

In addition, vessels must adhere to the requirements of two Speed Restricted Zones near Swiftsure Bank, in which all vessels are restricted to a maximum speed of 10 knots over ground, with the coordinates listed in Schedule 3 of the Interim Order.

The Speed Restricted Zones are in effect until November 30th, 2026. Details of vessel exceptions from the Speed Restricted Zones are described in Sections 2(1), 2(2), 7(2) and 8(2) of the Interim Order.

Failure to comply with the Interim Order for the Protection of the Southern Resident Killer Whales in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2026 could lead to enforcement action, including fines.

Further details are available at Transport Canada’s website (Interim Order for the Protection of the Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2026 (canada.ca), or upon request from a Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre.

Bridge construction is ongoing on the Patullo Bridge at 49 12.500N 122 53.533W.

Hours of operation from 1300 to 1000 UTC daily.

Mariners are asked to avoid areas marked with flashing amber lights and to contact work vessels on channel 74 

sixty minutes prior to transiting for restrictions and current channel closures.

Vessels on site monitoring VHF channels 16, 64A, 69, 71 and 74.

Minimum wake.

Pile driving at G3 Terminal at 49 18.027N 123 02.557W

Hours of operation 1330 UTC until 0030 UTC daily from May 28 until June 20

Vessels on site will monitor VHF CH 18A

Caution

Prince Rupert MCTS. All VHF transmit and receive services located at Denny Island off air 270017 UTC May 2026.

The Race to Alaska, Stage 1 is taking place from 141200 UTC Jun 2026 to 160000 UTC Jun 2026. Stage 1 starts in Port Townsend, Washington and will finish in Victoria, British Columbia.

Participants will be in small non-motorised vessels.

Prince Rupert MCTS. RADAR located at Ridley Island inoperative 130200 UTC Jun 2026.

Military Exercise Area WG will be active for surface, subsurface and air activities from 13 Jun 2026 1430 UTC to 14 Jun 2026 0200 UTC. During operations WG is extremely hazardous and closed to marine traffic. Entry is prohibited pursuant to the Defence Controlled Access Area Regulations. Safe passage is available within 0.5nm North of Winchelsea Island and within 0.5 nm East of Ballenas Island. Contact Winchelsea Island Control on VHF Channel 10 for additional information. Ref: NOTMAR F35 - Annual Edition.

Permanently discontinued.

Nominal range has changed to 4nm with 37 cd

Bridge repairs will take place at the Suncor Terminal in Port Moody at 49 17.523N 122 53.492W.

Hours of operation from 1330 to 0000 UTC daily from 09 June to 01 July.

FRPD vessels on site monitoring VHF channel 69.

Minimum wake.  

Range maintenance activity within 2 nautical miles of 49.18.00 N 124.0.00 W of Area WG.

All vessels must remain at least 1000 yards from vessels and proceed through this area with minimum wake. The remainder of Area WG is open to traffic.

Hours of operation from 0001 to 1400UTC from 10 to 15 June 2026.  

Vessels on site monitoring Ch 10 & 16 and will be restricted in abliity to manoeuvre.

Light Unreliable

Pile driving and dock construction will take place in Vancouver Harbour at 49 18.027N 123 02.557W.

Hours of operation are from 1330 to 0030 UTC daily from 05 to 27 June. 

Vessels on site monitoring VHF channel 18A. 

Minimum wake. 

 The private steel pile mounted navigation aid in the vicinity of 49 17.567N 122 52.050W reported unlit

Beacon Damaged

Beacon is now submerged and considered a hazard to navigation. 

Pile driving operations at the BC Ferries Crofton Terminal at 48 51.959N 123 38.241W.

Hours of operation daily from 1400-0200 UTC from Jun 2nd to July 2nd.

Vessels on site monitoring VHF CH. 08

Minimum wake

A new buoy has been deployed on Quesnel Lake at 52 30.793N 121 14.745W. LL 5583 Wildoat rock buoy.

Effective June 1 to October 31, 2026, the ECHO Program voluntary route alteration is active for all tugs transiting the Canadian inshore area of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to reduce underwater noise for at-risk whales.  

If it is safe and operationally feasible to do so, tugs are requested to navigate either through the outbound shipping lane or the inshore route alteration zone, while maintaining a buffer distance of 1,000 meters from the traffic separation scheme (TSS). The inshore route alteration zone is 1,500 meters wide and occurs between 123-52-21.192 W, 48-18-37.332 N and 124-31-33.378 W, 48-28-53.316 N, covering approximately 28 NM.  

The ECHO Program is led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in collaboration with government agencies, Indigenous communities, industry partners and environmental groups. 

For more detailed information, refer to the following internet web address: 

https://www.portvancouver.com/echo/ 

Effective June 1 to October 31, 2026, the ECHO Program voluntary ship slowdown in the vicinity of Swiftsure Bank is active for all inbound and outbound commercial and government vessels to reduce underwater noise for at-risk whales.  If it is safe and operationally feasible to do so, commercial and government vessels are requested to not exceed the following speeds through the water: 

11 knots – Bulkers, tankers, general cargo vessels, and government vessels; and, 

14.5 knots – Vehicle carriers, cruise ships, and container vessels. 

The voluntary ship slowdown takes place at Swiftsure Bank between 125° 17' W or 48° 19' N on the western or southern sides, and 124° 40’ W on the eastern side. All vessels transiting inbound or outbound are asked to slowdown when it is safe and operationally feasible to do so. Speed transition zones are in place about 2 nautical miles prior to entering the slowdown area. 

The ECHO Program is led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in collaboration with government agencies, Indigenous communities, industry partners and environmental groups. 

For more detailed information, refer to the following internet web address: 

https://www.portvancouver.com/echo/ 

Effective 0700 UTC JUN 1 2026, to comply with the Interim Order for the Protection of Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2026, vessels must not approach within a distance of 1000m of a Southern Resident Killer Whale in the Southern Resident Killer Whale critical habitat and British Columbia coastal waters east of Vancouver Island and south of Campbell River (Cape Mudge) and Ucluelet, including Barkley Sound (up to Port Alberni) and Howe Sound, with coordinates listed in Schedule 1 of the Interim Order.

These prohibitions are in effect until May 31st, 2027. Details of vessel exceptions from the approach distance are described in Sections 2(1), 2(2), 3(2), and 4(2) of the Interim Order. Note that vessels in transit are excepted from the approach distance measure.

Vessels must not operate or navigate within the two Vessel Restricted Zones, specifically those waters off the eastern coast of Saturna Island and southern coast of North Pender Island, with the coordinates listed in Schedule 2 of the Interim Order.

The Vessel Restricted Zones are in effect until November 30th, 2026. Details of vessel exceptions from the Vessel Restricted Zone prohibitions are described in Sections 2(1), 2(2), 5(2) and 6(2) of the Interim Order.

In addition, vessels must adhere to the requirements of two Speed Restricted Zones near Swiftsure Bank, in which all vessels are restricted to a maximum speed of 10 knots over ground, with the coordinates listed in Schedule 3 of the Interim Order.

The Speed Restricted Zones are in effect until November 30th, 2026. Details of vessel exceptions from the Speed Restricted Zones are described in Sections 2(1), 2(2), 7(2) and 8(2) of the Interim Order.

Failure to comply with the Interim Order for the Protection of the Southern Resident Killer Whales in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2026 could lead to enforcement action, including fines.

Further details are available at Transport Canada’s website (Interim Order for the Protection of the Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2026 (canada.ca), or upon request from a Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centre.

Bridge construction is ongoing on the Patullo Bridge at 49 12.500N 122 53.533W.

Hours of operation from 1300 to 1000 UTC daily.

Mariners are asked to avoid areas marked with flashing amber lights and to contact work vessels on channel 74 

sixty minutes prior to transiting for restrictions and current channel closures.

Vessels on site monitoring VHF channels 16, 64A, 69, 71 and 74.

Minimum wake.

Pile driving at G3 Terminal at 49 18.027N 123 02.557W

Hours of operation 1330 UTC until 0030 UTC daily from May 28 until June 20

Vessels on site will monitor VHF CH 18A

Caution

Prince Rupert MCTS. All VHF transmit and receive services located at Denny Island off air 270017 UTC May 2026.