Boating Safety Regulations Highlights

New Age & Horsepower Restrictions – as of April 1, 1999

UNDER 12 YEARS OF AGE	If not accompanied & directly supervised by a person 16 years old or older	Maximum power of motor : 7.5 kw (10hp)
AT LEAST 12 YEARS OF AGE BUT UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE	If not accompanied & directly supervised by a person 16 years old or older	Maximum power of motor : 30 kw (40hp)
UNDER AGE 16	Is prohibited from operating a personal watercraft (PWC)

These requirements apply when operating a pleasure craft fitted with a motor used for recreational purposes.
These requirements apply in areas outside the Northwest and Nunavut Territories at this time.

New Recreational Boat Operator Competency

SEPTEMBER 15, 1999	Youth, born after April 1, 1983 will require proof of competency on board to operate a boat fitted with a motor.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2002	Any person operating a boat fitted with a motor and less than 4 meters (including PWC) will require proof of competency on board.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009	All operators will require proof of competency on board.

These requirements apply when operating a pleasure craft fitted with a motor used for recreational purposes.
These requirements apply in areas outside the Northwest and Nunavut Territories at this time.
Applies to non-residents operating their pleasure craft in Canadian waters after 45 consecutive days. Operator card or equivalent issued to a non-resident by their state or country will be considered as proof of competency.

Proof of competency can take 1 of 3 forms:

proof of having taken a boating safety course prior to April 1, 1999;
a pleasure craft operator card from a Canadian Coast Guard accredited course provider following a test;

a completed rental-boat safety checklist (for power-driven rental boats).

The operator card is good for life. Boaters can obtain their card after receiving a mark of at least 75% on a Canadian Coast Guard accredited test after having completed an accredited course. Boaters also have the option of taking this test without first completing a course. Professional mariners will see their qualification recognized.

For a list of accredited course providers in your area, visit the Coast Guard web site at www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca or call the Boating Safety Infoline at 1-800-267-6687.

Changes to Small Vessel Regulations – as of April 1, 1999

NEW Safety Precautions

Careless Operation	Operators could be charged under the Criminal Code or ticketed under the new regulations for: Operating craft in a way that could adversely affect the safety of others, considering the weather, visibility, amount of traffic, or number of other boats or people nearby, manoeuvrability, navigation conditions and hazards Operating in a careless manner without due care and attention for the factors listed above and the safety of others.
Waterskiing or Towing (including barefoot skiing, tubing and surfboarding)	Spare seating must be provided for every person being towed; no towing is permitted from one hour after sunset to sunrise; and the vessel may not be remotely controlled.
Engines	Boats are not permitted within 5 miles of shore without a noise abatement mechanism in use.
Engine Start-up	The engine space blower must be operated for at least 4 minutes immediately before starting a gasoline engine.
Fuelling	During fuelling, all occupants of the boat must be ashore, all engines must be shut off, all flames must be extinguished and leakage and spillage into the hull must be prevented. Portable fuel tanks must be filled ashore.
Fuel-Burning Systems	Must install system in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended practices.

NEW Safety Equipment Requirements *

EQUIPMENT	BOAT LENGTH
EQUIPMENT	Motorized pleasure craft: Up to 6 metres	Non-motorized pleasure craft: Up to 6 metres	Pleasure craft: 6 metres to 8 metres
Personal flotation device or lifejacket that fits for each occupant
Buoyant heaving line (15 m)			(or 1 lifebuoy attached to 15 m of buoyant heaving line)
Manual propelling device or an anchor (15 m of cable, rope, chain)
Bailer or manual water pump (with hose)
1 fire extinguisher Class 5BC	(if equipped with inboard engine, fixed fuel tank or fuel burning appliance)	(if equipped with fuel burning appliance)	(2 if power-driven and equipped with fuel burning appliance)
Watertight flashlight	(or 3 flares of type A, B or C)
Reboarding device (freeboard > 0.5 m)
Flares	3 flares of type A, B or C (or a watertight flashlight)		6 flares of type A, B or C (if vessel can be > 1 mile…)
Sound signalling equipment
Navigation lights (Collision Regulations)
EQUIPMENT	BOAT LENGTH
EQUIPMENT	Pleasure craft: 8 metres to 12 metres	Pleasure craft: 12 metres to 20 metres	Pleasure craft: over 20 metres
Personal flotation device or lifejacket that fits for each occupant
Buoyant heaving line	(15 m)	(15 m)	(30 m)
Lifebuoy(s)	(attached to 15 m of buoyant heaving line)	610 or 762 mm (with 15 m buoyant line attached and self-igniting light)	2 lifebuoys 762 mm(with 30 m of line attached for each and one with self-igniting light)
Anchor	(30 m cable, rope, chain)	(50 m cable, rope, chain)	(50 m cable, rope, chain)
Bailer and manual water pump (with hose)
1 fire extinguisher Class 10BC	(2 if power-driven and equipped with fuel burning appliance)	(at each access to a space that has a fuel burning appliance and at each entrance to any accommodation space and to engine room space)	(at each access to a space that has a fuel burning appliance and at each entrance to any accommodation space and to engine room space)
Watertight flashlight
Axe			(2 axes)
Buckets		2 buckets (minimum 10 L)	4 buckets (minimum 10 L)
Reboarding device	(freeboard > 0.5 m)
12 flares of type A, B, C or D (max. 6 of type D)	(if vessel can be > 1 mile…)
Bilge-pumping arrangements
Lifting harness with rigging
Power-driven fire pump outside machinery space with hose and nozzle
Sound signalling equipment
Navigation lights (Collision Regulations)

* Some exceptions apply. For more detailed information, please consult the Safe Boating Guide or visit our website at www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca

January 1999

B-HQ-99-2(a)