Recreational Boating Regulations

Transport Canada has the responsibility of regulating recreational boating activity. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

Before you leave the dock:

Take a Coast Guard accredited safe boating course!

The following operator competency requirements may affect you or your family:

• NOW: All operators of powered recreational vessels born after April 1, 1983 must have their Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
• NOW: All operators of powered recreational vessels under 4 meters in length (including personal water craft) must obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
• By September 15, 2009: All operators of powered recreational vessels must obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

For further information or to obtain a copy of the Safe Boating Guide, phone 250-480-2792 OR 1-800-267-6687, or visit the Office of Boating Safety website.

Check the weather

Tune into channels 21B and Wx 1,2,3 on your VHF radio for marine weather forecasts or contact Environment Canada at: www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca

Check your fuel supply

Use 1⁄3 of your fuel to go out and 1⁄3 to come back, and keep 1⁄3 in reserve for unexpected circumstances.

Wear your Canadian approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD) and dress for the weather.

Without a PFD, death by drowning can occur within 3 to 5 minutes due to cold shock, or within 30 minutes as you become unable to swim. Even with a PFD, hypothermia can kill after 30 minutes, and post rescue collapse can occur after rescue.

Cinches and buckles on thermal protective PFDs restrict the flow of water and increase your survival time. Do them up! Use a multi-layered approach to insulating yourself against the marine environment. Avoid fibres such as cotton. Materials like polypropylene, and in some cases wool, provide good insulation.

Be aware that there are some limitations to PFDs. For more information, visit the Office of Boating Safety website.

File a sail plan

Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return. In an emergency, a Sail Plan provides Search and Rescue personnel a description of your boat, how many people are on board and locations for a search. Look for a Sail Plan in the Safe Boating Guide or at www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-menu-1362.htm 

Visit the Cold Water Survival website.

Emergency communications on the water 

Marine (VHF) Radios

Keep your marine VHF radio tuned to channel 16 and use it to issue a distress message. Know where you are at all times and be prepared to accurately describe your location.

Remember: Channel 16 is used for EMERGENCY and CALLING purposes only. Once you have called another vessel on channel 16, move to a working frequency and continue. Anyone who uses a VHF radio must follow the procedures described in the VHF Radiotelephone Practices and Procedures regulations. 

Cellular phones

You can contact the Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centres by dialing *16. A cellular phone is not a good substitute for a marine radio. Using a cellular phone does not alert nearby boats that you are in distress — other boats could be the ones to help you if they could hear you. Unlike VHF transmissions, rescuers cannot trace cellular phone signals.