Canada Issues Speeding Ticket to Bulker Federal Cardinal

The bulk carrier Federal Cardinal was fined CAD 6,000 for allegedly breaking Canada’s speed limit in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

According to Transport Canada, the fine was issued for non-respect of the temporary mandatory vessel slowdown, which was set in an effort to help ensure navigational safety and protect the marine environment.

Federal Cardinal’s owner has 30 days to pay the penalty or to ask the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada to review the facts of the violation or the amount of the penalty.

The country implemented the speed restrictions of vessels 20 metres or more to a maximum of 10 knots in August due to the increased presence of whales in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence, between the Quebec north shore and north of Prince Edward Island.

Transport Canada said that it is examining all reported cases of non-compliance, on a case-by-case basis.

The temporary mandatory slowdown will remain in effect until the whales have migrated away from the area of concern.

“We are committed to ensuring that all vessels meet the temporary speed limit and we will continue to take all appropriate action to ensure the safety of the whales,” Marc Garneau, Canada’s Minister of Transport, said.