33 CFR 401.79: Seaway advance arrival notice and ship inspections
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires foreign flagged ships of 300 GRT or above to send a USCG Electronic Notice of Arrival before entering the Seaway at CIP 2. It also sets the Seaway Vessel Inspection Program, with inspection and self-inspection notice and reporting rules for different vessel types.
Applies toForeign flagged ships of 300 GRT or above intending to transit the Seaway for the notice of arrival, and foreign flagged, inland domestic, tug/barge, tall, passenger and unusual design vessels for the inspection program.
What it says
If the voyage time to CIP 2 is 96 hours or more, the vessel must submit an ENOA 96 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.
33 CFR 401.79(a)(1)“If your voyage time to CIP 2 is 96 hours or more, you must submit an ENOA 96 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.”
If the voyage time to CIP 2 is less than 96 hours, the vessel must submit an ENOA before departure, and at least 24 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.
33 CFR 401.79(a)(2)“you must submit an ENOA before departure, but at least 24 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.”
Changes to the ENOA must be submitted as soon as practicable but at least 12 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.
33 CFR 401.79(a)(3)“submit them as soon as practicable but at least 12 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.”
Foreign flagged vessels are subject to a physical Enhanced Ship Inspection once every two navigation seasons.
33 CFR 401.79(b)(1)“Foreign flagged vessels are subject to an Enhanced Ship Inspections (ESI)—physical ship inspection once every two navigation seasons.”
Foreign flagged vessels may be permitted a self-inspection in the interim season, subject to satisfactory performance.
33 CFR 401.79(b)(2)“Foreign flagged vessels may be permitted a Self-Inspection in the interim season subject to satisfactory performance.”
The ESI or self-inspection is required on the first transit of the navigation season.
33 CFR 401.79(b)(3)“The ESI or self-inspection is required on the first transit of the navigation season.”
Tug/barge combinations not on the "Seaway Approved Tow" list are subject to Seaway inspection before every transit, unless provided with a valid Inspection Report for a round trip transit.
33 CFR 401.79(b)(6)“Tug/barge combinations not on the “Seaway Approved Tow” list are subject to Seaway inspection prior to every transit of the Seaway unless provided with a valid Inspection Report for a round trip transit.”
A tall vessel, passenger vessel, or vessel of an unusual design is subject to Seaway yearly ESI.
33 CFR 401.79(b)(7)“A tall vessel, passenger vessel, or vessel of an unusual design is subject to Seaway yearly ESI.”
Common questions
How early must I submit the ENOA for the Seaway?
If voyage time to CIP 2 is 96 hours or more, submit the ENOA 96 hours before entering at CIP 2. If it is less than 96 hours, submit before departure and at least 24 hours before entering.
“If your voyage time to CIP 2 is 96 hours or more, you must submit an ENOA 96 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.”
How must the Seaway notice of arrival be submitted?
The NOA must be provided electronically following the USCG National Vessel Movement Center's procedures.
“The NOA must be provided electronically following the USCG National Vessel Movement Center's (NVMC) procedures (http://www.nvmc.uscg.gov).”
How often are inland domestic vessels inspected by the Seaway?
Inland domestic vessels not in the Self-Inspection Program are subject to a Seaway inspection every 2 navigation seasons.
“Inland domestic vessels not participating in the “Self-Inspection Program” are subject to a Seaway inspection every 2 navigation seasons.”
When must a foreign flagged vessel submit the Seaway Ship Inspection Report for self-inspection?
Vessels must submit the report electronically 120 hours prior to transiting the Seaway.
“vessels must complete and submit the “Seaway Ship Inspection Report” electronically to inspecteursvm@seaway.ca and to vtc@dot.gov 120 hours prior to transiting the Seaway.”
The text of 33 CFR 401.79
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Advance notice of arrival, vessels requiring inspection
(a) USCG Advance Notice of Arrival—All foreign flagged ships of 300 GRT or above intending to transit the Seaway shall submit one completed United States Coast Guard (USCG) Electronic Notice of Arrival (ENOA) prior to entering at call in point 2 (CIP 2) as follows:
(1) If your voyage time to CIP 2 is 96 hours or more, you must submit an ENOA 96 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.
(2) If your voyage time to CIP 2 is less than 96 hours, you must submit an ENOA before departure, but at least 24 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.
(3) If there are changes to the ENOA, submit them as soon as practicable but at least 12 hours before entering the Seaway at CIP 2.
(4) The NOA must be provided electronically following the USCG National Vessel Movement Center's (NVMC) procedures (http://www.nvmc.uscg.gov).
(5) To complete the ENOA correctly for Seaway entry, select the following:
(i) “CIP 2” as the Arrival Port,
(ii) “Foreign to Saint Lawrence Seaway” as the Voyage Type, and
(iii) “Saint Lawrence Seaway Transit” as the Arrival State, City and Receiving Facility.
(b) For the Vessel Inspection Program:
(1) Foreign flagged vessels are subject to an Enhanced Ship Inspections (ESI)—physical ship inspection once every two navigation seasons. Agents must provide the Seaway Ship Inspectors via email an initial 120 hours' notice of inspection (ESI or self-inspection) prior to the vessel's arrival at CIP2. An additional 24 hours' notice for an ESI (physical inspection) prior to the vessel arriving at CIP 2 is also required. (email to: inspecteursvm@seaway.ca and to vtc@dot.gov).
(2) Foreign flagged vessels may be permitted a Self-Inspection in the interim season subject to satisfactory performance. As such, vessels must complete and submit the “Seaway Ship Inspection Report” electronically to inspecteursvm@seaway.ca and to vtc@dot.gov 120 hours prior to transiting the Seaway.
(3) The ESI or self-inspection is required on the first transit of the navigation season.
(4) Inland domestic vessels which are approved by the Seaway for the “Self-Inspection Program” and are ISM certified and have a company quality management system, must submit the “Seaway Ship Inspection Report” every 2 navigation seasons and not later than 30 days after “fit out”. A “Seaway Ship Inspection Report” must be submitted electronically to nrshipinspectors@seaway.ca.
(5) Inland domestic vessels not participating in the “Self-Inspection Program” are subject to a Seaway inspection every 2 navigation seasons.
(6) Tug/barge combinations not on the “Seaway Approved Tow” list are subject to Seaway inspection prior to every transit of the Seaway unless provided with a valid Inspection Report for a round trip transit.
(7) A tall vessel, passenger vessel, or vessel of an unusual design is subject to Seaway yearly ESI.
(8) The ESI or self-inspection is required on the first transit of the navigation season.
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.