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Parents & Educators
Boating is one of Canada’s favourite family recreational activities. And no wonder! Our country boasts tens of thousands of beautiful lakes and the longest coastline in the world. While recreational boating is a lot of fun, it also requires responsibility.
- Always wear a personal flotation device or a life jacket while boating.
- Boaters must be aware of swimming areas, large ships, shipping areas, water skiers, seadoos, fishermen, anchored vessels, docks and moorings.
- An overloaded boat can tip over or sink even when there is no wind and the water is calm. Small boats have a capacity plate that tells how many people and how much weight can safely be put in the boat.
- Take a boating course.
As of September 15, 2009 all Canadian recreational boaters require a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCO Card) to drive a boat powered by a motor. The new boating regulations are designed to increase awareness of safe boating practices and reduce boating-related fatalities and injuries.
How to get carded
Boaters can obtain a PCO Card by taking an accredited boating safety test from an accredited course provider and achieving a mark of at least 75 per cent. Transport Canada strongly recommends all boaters take a safe boating course before completing the test. This lifetime certification must be carried onboard by operators of all pleasure crafts powered by a motor.
To learn more about boating safety or to find out about how to take a boating safety course and get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card, please visit www.boatingsafety.gc.ca or call the National Boating Safety Info line at 1-800-267-6687.
Fishing
If you plan on fishing, check your provincial or territorial guidelines for licensing requirements.
