# 401.79 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: *[email protected]* and to *[email protected]*).
(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 *[email protected]* and to *[email protected]* 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 *[email protected].*
(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.
[89 FR 15961, Mar. 6, 2024, as amended at 91 FR 12692, Mar. 17, 2026]