Small Commercial Marine Business Guideline

Build Nova Scotia champions entrepreneurship and innovation across the province. We are committed to fostering vibrant, healthy, and connected communities through the delivery of sustainable, strategic infrastructure. Through our marine assets, we proudly support small commercial marine businesses that enhance the experiences of residents and visitors alike. Build Nova Scotia manages key marine infrastructure in the Halifax Harbour, including the Halifax Waterfront and the floating docks at Garrison Pier on McNabs Island—offering prime opportunities to start or grow your business.

Our Small Commercial Marine Business Program:

• Allows marine businesses the opportunity to use Build Nova Scotia infrastructure in a manner that compliments traditional business development processes.
• Increases marine service offerings for all those visiting the Halifax Harbour. 
• Enhances visitors’ ocean-related experiences.

To support this initiative, Build Nova Scotia offers the Blue Line Accreditation Program. Successful applicants are granted access to designated shared areas within Build Nova Scotia owned and/or operated marine infrastructure throughout Halifax Harbour. Accredited operators receive a Blue Line decal, which must be visibly displayed on their vessel. Accreditation is valid for one operating season (May 15 to October 15, 2026) and applies to the Halifax Waterfront and McNabs Island only.

The process for the 2026 season will start on March 30, 2026, at 1 PM ADT

To apply, please submit a Small Commercial Marine proposal that is a maximum of four pages, excluding the sustainability assessment. Your submission must include:

• Contact details for the proposed business.
• Description of the proposed business concept including tour offerings and how the business will enhance the guest experience on the Halifax Waterfront. It is important to complement existing marine businesses rather than competing with them; businesses that offer the same services/product experience as existing permanent tenants may not be accepted.
• Operational structure including management team and staffing plan.
• Description of safety procedures.
• Completed Sustainability Assessment form
• Proof of Vessel Registration
• Description of VHF procedures while operating
• Insurance documentation as per the following:
  • The Licensee shall throughout the Term obtain and maintain public liability insurance satisfactory to Build Nova Scotia covering bodily injury, sickness or disease, or death of any person, property damage, personal injury, and legal liability arising from the use and occupancy of the Site and shall provide a certificate of insurance to Build Nova Scotia
  • The Licensee shall add Build Nova Scotia as an additional insured
  • The Licensee shall provide that the insurance will be written in such terms to contain waiver or waivers of subrogation against Build Nova Scotia and shall protect Build Nova Scotia in respect of claims by the Licensee as if Build Nova Scotia were separately insured; and
  • The limits of coverage shall be $5,000,000 in respect of each occurrence or accident.

Proposals will be evaluated based on these mandatory submission requirements and accepted on a first-come, first served basis. No preference is given to previously accepted businesses. We will accept a maximum of seven (7) registered vessels for the 2026 season, with a maximum of three (3) vessels per operator unless otherwise agreed to by Build Nova Scotia. The number of vessels proposed in a submission may be restricted and, the number of vessels seasonally admitted to the program may be adjusted at the sole discretion of Build Nova Scotia. 

Proposals must be submitted electronically in one email to ian.homosits@novascotia.ca. The subject line must read “Small Commercial Marine Proposal”. Applicants will be notified of their proposal status within 30 days of receipt by Build Nova Scotia. Proposals shall be retained during the season in case additional spaces open within this program. The applicant must sign a Form of Agreement with Build Nova Scotia before being accepted.

All potential applicants should familiarize themselves with the following rules and regulations that Build Nova Scotia will strictly enforce:

• Only businesses proposing to use a vessel/vessels with a maximum capacity of 12 passengers can apply
• Vessels must be owner-operated and or guided – no equipment or vessel rentals allowed
• 15 minutes alongside MAXIMUM
• The Blueline docks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Berth space is not available for advance booking or scheduling. Pick-Up, Drop-Off only, no soliciting or ticket sales/infrastructure at the dock
• All spaces are shared among vessels with the Blue Sticker. Everyone with the Blue Sticker has the same rights
• The Blue Sticker must always be prominently displayed on each vessel
• No overnight berthing at any of the locations
• There is no reserved/private Blueline berth located at Garrison Pier. It is a public dock and used on a First -come, first -served basis.
• No access to water or power at any of the locations
• Fees are payable for each month of the operating season by the 15^th of the subsequent month. The fee model is based on the proposed business concept and at the sole discretion of Build Nova Scotia. Model options are either per use or per seat:
• Per-use fees are $15.00 per each use of the docks allocated for the Blue Line Program.
  • One use is a round trip, meaning a pickup and the subsequent drop off of the same passengers. On occasions where only a pickup or drop off is performed as passengers either start or end the tour at a location not managed by Build Nova Scotia, 50% of the fee shall apply.
• Per seat fees are calculated with $25.00 per seated capacity of the vessel(s) plus all applicable taxes. All subject fees will be prorated based on acceptance and season-end dates.
• Each participant must submit a full monthly report of usage in addition to submitting payment by the 15th day of the next month.

Build Nova Scotia retains the right to revoke stickers, should any of the above rules and regulations be violated. If that happens, the business will not be entitled to receive any refunds on the paid seasonal fee.

Questions related to this guideline should be directed to the Build Nova Scotia team at iam.homosits@novascotia.ca.