Agreement between the United States of America and Canada on icebreaking operations in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway system Document type Bilateral Field of application Regional/restricted Date Dec 5, 1980 Source FAO, FAOLEX; IUCN (ID: TRE-152352) Place of adoption Ottawa Language English Entry into force Dec 5, 1980 Subject Sea, Water Keyword Coastal zone management Inland waters Navigation International agreement-text Basin/catchment/watershed Abstract The Agreement provides for the coordination of icebreaking activities of the Governments of the United States of America and Canada on the Great Lakes including the main connecting navigable waterways, Georgian Bay and the St. Lawrence River from Tibbets Point, New York to as far east as Cornwall, Ontario. State Parties shall designate agencies which shall keep each other advised as to the location and condition of readiness of icebreaking facilities and personnel within their respective areas of responsibility. The designated agencies of each Party shall provide for coordination and cooperation by the establishment of appropriate arrangements and procedures, which shall cover the following: a) availability of icebreaking facilities and personnel; b) means of communication; c) allocation of areas of operational responsibility; d) other matters relevant to cooperation and coordination of operations. Certain waters subject to the Agreement shall be kept open to maritime commerce. The designated agencies shall allocate between themselves areas of responsibility for the coordination of icebreaking activities, which may not correspond with the waters over which the Parties exercise their sovereignty. Further provisions concern the coordination of icebreaking activities and personnel requested by the designated agency of one Party, the liability for damages caused by negligent acts of the Coast Guard of the two member countries and the financing of the operations conducted for the implementation of the Agreement. Full text English Country/Territory/Participant See Expanded View Show Map Countries Entry into force Canada - United States of America - reset zoom out zoom in