2009 Canadian Boating Regulations

[Pro-pulsion]

Boating Regulations For 2009​

Canadian Regulations

On September 15, 2009, all boat operators will need PCOC (Pleasure Craft Operators Card) or other proof of competency to operate any boat with a motor.

Age restrictions:

• Operators under 16 cannot operate personal watercraft (PWC).
• Operators under 12 are restricted to 10 hp (7.5kw) unless supervised by someone 16 or older.
• Operators 12-16 years old are restricted to 40 hp (30kw) unless supervised by someone 16 or older.

The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations require operators (as described above) of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes to carry proof of competency or risk fines up to $250. Electric trolling motors, canoes or dinghies with motors (even when rowed), and PWCs are considered motorized craft; sailboats, dinghies, canoes and kayaks without motors are not. Regulations are being phased in. On September 15, 2009 all boaters will have to carry proof of competency. "Pleasure Craft Operator Card" attests that the cardholder has received a mark of 75% on a written test.

License Numbers On The Hull: You must display the licence number on both sides of the bow in block characters that are at least 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) high, in a colour that contrasts with the colour of the bow.

Safety Equipment:
All boats are required to carry safety equipment. What exactly must be carried depends on the type and size of boat (usually expressed in length from bow to stern.) All equipment should be checked regularly, be well maintained, and replaced if necessary.

Personal protection equipment
1. One (1) Canadian-approved personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket of appropriate size for each person on board
2. One (1) buoyant heaving line no less than 15 m (49’3”) in length

Distress equipment
3. A watertight flashlight
OR
Three (3) Canadian-approved flares of Type A, B or C

Navigation equipment
4. A sound-signalling device or a sound-signalling appliance

Boat safety equipment
5. One (1) manual propelling device (for more detailed description, refer to the manual propelling device definition)
OR
An anchor with no less than 15 m (49’3”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination
6. One (1) bailer
OR
One (1) manual water pump fitted with or accompanied by sufficient hose to enable a person using the pump to discharge water from the bilge of the vessel over the side of the vessel
7. One (1) Class 5BC fire extinguisher


The equipment listed in 5, 6 and 7 is not mandatory if all people on the PWC are wearing a Canadian approved flotation device of the appropriate size.


Pleasure craft propelled by oars and pleasure craft 8 m (26’3”) or less in length within sight of navigational marks do not require a compass.


This information was provided by Transport Canada and can be found at:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/debs/obs/menu.htm


U.S. Regulations

Because the regulations vary from state to state, the list would be long and take a long time to create. Having mentioned this, here are some links that offer the various regulations.

http://nasbla.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/stateregs.htm


I have a small sealed flashlight inside my engine compartment with my registration. I keep a pea-less whistle attached to my PFD on a key ring at all times and I just need to wrap up the 50ft of buoyant heaving line in my extinguisher compartment (the old 650SX's have one on the outside of the hull). That should cover me, so really the list is small enough for stand-ups to work with too. I'd hate to see a weekend get unnecessarily expensive for anyone just because they figured the list was too much for a stand-up and didn't bother with any of it. It's too easy to say "I don't have this or this so forget about it, I'm not taking any of it". The sport takes a beating every year so let's not give the authorities another reason to rip on us and take PWC's down another notch. Hope the info was helpful.

 

[redrrocket]

wow. a 50 foot floating rope? where to hide that on a SJ.???

but the extinguisher is NOT mandatory on a PWC. interesting.

 

[Pro-pulsion]

Yeah, but that only applies to Canada as far as I know. The U.S. regs could be different and since they differ from state to state you should check into your state's requirements. One kinda nice thing about Canada I guess, one set of rules covers the entire country.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Pus there is no yearly registration fee in Canada. You pay taxes once when you buy the ski, once taxes are paid, you register the ski once and it's good until you sell the ski.

 

[Pro-pulsion]

I bought my ski in March, registered it a week later and didn't have to pay taxes on it at that time. They told me I might receive a form from the province showing how much I owe and where to pay it. My buddy had his Sea-Doo for about 6 years and is still waiting for this paper work. I tried to pay the taxes on mine yesterday at Revenue Canada and they told me they didn't handle personal tax payments on used goods. So I guess I just sit here and wait. Another guy I know told me that the value might be too small for them to worry about.

 

[Super Dee]

I bought my ski in March, registered it a week later and didn't have to pay taxes on it at that time. They told me I might receive a form from the province showing how much I owe and where to pay it. My buddy had his Sea-Doo for about 6 years and is still waiting for this paper work. I tried to pay the taxes on mine yesterday at Revenue Canada and they told me they didn't handle personal tax payments on used goods. So I guess I just sit here and wait. Another guy I know told me that the value might be too small for them to worry about.

You don't have to worry about paying taxes on it. Apparently they stopped charging taxes a few years ago. When I bought my 550 back around the year 2001, they sent me a form in the mail advising me I had to pay 8% PST on it. It was on the honour system for you to let them know how much you paid for it. When I bought my Superjet a couple years ago I asked them about paying tax and they told me the government is no longer charging taxes on used PWCs any more, and I haven't received anything in the mail. I don't know if this applies to all boats or only PWCs.

 

[Johnny340]

You don't have to worry about paying taxes on it.

That's right. And the whole registration thing is just for the Coast Guard in case you get lost, they'll know what colour and registration number to look for.

 

[JohnG]

I have the rope, the light and the whistle, but it’s all in my engine compartment. The rules don’t specify that it has to be accessible while out on the water. The only way I can get to my stuff is if I’m on shore and take off my hood. Anybody know if this is ok? I have yet to be stopped by the cops and asked to show them it.

 

[Pro-pulsion]

I think as long as you have it that's all they require. I have the whistle always attached to my PFD and the light and rope are in the fire extinguisher compartment which happens to be externally accessible. There is one other compartment inside my ski as well which is where I keep the registration paper and in a Ziploc. For everyone wondering how they're going to keep a 50ft rope in a stand-up, I found the perfect thing. It's so compact, the same diameter of rope as the Famous World orange throw bag which is approved and has the same qualities...doesn't absorb water, floats, in a 50ft length. I tucked it into my extinguisher compartment and had room for one of those small black Garrity Tuff Lites.

http://www.walmart.ca/Canada-Campin...=63138&departmentId=46&categoryId=235&tabId=7

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/SafetySecurity/Flashlights/PRD~0652078P/Garrity%2BTuff%2BLite%2BFlashlight%2BTwinpack.jsp

 

[Borderguy]

I think as long as you have it that's all they require. I have the whistle always attached to my PFD and the light and rope are in the fire extinguisher compartment which happens to be externally accessible. There is one other compartment inside my ski as well which is where I keep the registration paper and in a Ziploc. For everyone wondering how they're going to keep a 50ft rope in a stand-up, I found the perfect thing. It's so compact, the same diameter of rope as the Famous World orange throw bag which is approved and has the same qualities...doesn't absorb water, floats, in a 50ft length. I tucked it into my extinguisher compartment and had room for one of those small black Garrity Tuff Lites.

http://www.walmart.ca/Canada-Campin...=63138&departmentId=46&categoryId=235&tabId=7

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/SafetySecurity/Flashlights/PRD~0652078P/Garrity%2BTuff%2BLite%2BFlashlight%2BTwinpack.jsp

SO does a US boating Cert. count as the PCOC? We ride in Canadian waters quite frequently as the detroit river is both US and CA waters depending on where you are at. Never even been stopped by the Canadians, they usually just waive at us.

 

[Pro-pulsion]

This is what I found for the U.S. boaters on Canadian waters...

http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/debs/obs/quick/quick_visitor.htm#a

Operator Competency Requirements

The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations require that all operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor have proof of competency and proof of age on board at all times.
The Regulations are being phased in as follows:

• All operators born after April 1, 1983 are required to have proof of competency since 1999.
• As of September 15, 2002, all operators of craft of less than 4 m (13'1") in length, including personal watercraft, will be required to have proof of competency.
• As of September 15, 2009, all operators will be required to have proof of competency.

How the Regulations Apply to Non-Residents
The Regulations apply to non-residents:

• If they operate their pleasure craft in Canadian waters for more than 45 consecutive days or,
• If they operate a pleasure craft that is licensed or registered in Canada (including rented or chartered boats).
• The Regulations do not apply to non-residents who operate their pleasure craft in Canadian waters for less than 45 consecutive days. Please note that a proof of residence will be required on board at all times.

Acceptable Proof of Competency for Non-Residents
For non-residents, proof of competency can take one of three forms:

• A Canadian-issued pleasure craft operator card.
• A completed boat rental safety check-list (for power-driven rental boats).
• An operator card or equivalent that meets the requirements of their state or country.

For more information, consult the Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations.

 

[WRX Dave]

I like that proof of competenecy idea. We definitely need something like that for the idiots on the water around here.