Petty Officer 2nd Class Zac Crawford
Having the PCOC and mandatory gear is the law – so be sure to have both on board your boat.
Boating is a great way to spend your summer months, but before you hit the water for exhilarating experiences, it’s important to understand the basic, lawful boating regulations and safety protocols under Transport Canada guidelines. One of the important first steps is obtaining your Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) or proof of competency to operate a recreational boat. It’s not only necessary – it’s the law and has been since 2009.
According to Transport Canada, “if you operate a boat with a motor and use it for recreational purposes, you need proof of competency.” What this means is the PCOC lawfully indicates you have a principal knowledge and understanding of how to operate a boat safely and what to do in the event of on-water emergencies. Short of residing in Nunavut or the Northwest Territories, PCOC is mandatory in Canada to run all types of recreational boats and is recognized in provinces, territories, or the U.S. that have boater education requirements in place.
How to Get a PCOC and Important Details
Obtaining a PCOC is not difficult and it should be on your mind during your boat-purchasing process. The best and most efficient means of attaining your PCOC is by enrolling in a boating safety course and taking the exam from a company/provider that’s accredited by Transport Canada. You can do this either in person or virtually. Many are available and it’s recommended to do some research to find the provider you’re comfortable with. Once you do pass the exam, however, you’ll be provided with your PCOC and it’s good for life.
State Farm
Boating is a great pastime and always practise safe boating
Some Topics Covered on the PCOC Test Includes (but not limited to):
- Your accountabilities as a boat operator
- Preparing everyone on board (including yourself) prior to departing.
- Ensuring all the mandatory safety equipment is on board and is properly working.
- Avoiding unsafe situations once on the water
- How to share and what is required to share the waterways with other boaters. This includes understanding right-of-way with other boaters including larger commercial vessels.
Another great source of information is reviewing the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations, which provides information about adhering to speed limits, no-wake zones (both posted and unposted), designated areas where boats are prohibited, where certain activities are restricted – just to name a few of the common regulations on the water.
These regulations also outline age/horsepower restrictions, which prohibit those less than 16 years of age from operating craft above specified horsepower limits. For example, if an operator is accompanied and directly supervised in the pleasure craft by someone 16 years of age or older, the age-horsepower restrictions do not apply. These restrictions also prohibit those less than 16 years or age from operating personal watercraft (PWC) regardless of whether they are accompanied or not. For more details on these regulations visit https://tc.canada.ca
Mandatory Boat and Safety Gear
Aside from having your PCOC, it’s important to have the necessary and mandatory boating and safety equipment on board your boat every time you head out. A visit to The Office of Boating Safety website specifically details what it is you require. According to Transport Canada/The Office of Boating Safety, safety gear and equipment varies among different sizes and models of boats. However, at the very minimum (for a powerboat no larger than 6 m (19.8 ft)) the following equipment is required:
- Approved PFD for everyone on board with appropriate sizes.
- A buoyant heaving line of 15 m (about 50 ft) in length
- Oars or a paddle
- An anchor with at least 15 m (about 50 ft) of rope, cable, or chain.
- Bailer or hand pump
- Sound-signaling device
- Proper and functioning navigation lights
- A class 5BC fire extinguisher (for any recreational boat with an inboard, fixed fuel tank, and/or any fuel-burning cooking, heating, or refrigeration units.
- A waterproof flashlight or three Canadian-approved type A, B or C flares
Petty Officer 2nd Class George Degener
Be prepared and avoid a fine as spot checks are common.
Even though some of the items may be never used or needed, they must always function properly, be up to date, and easily accessible with every trip.
The list of boating, safety, and Rules of the Road goes on and these regulations simply cover the surface when it comes to safe boating and regulations on the water. The off-season is always the ideal time to gain further boater education, and courses from the Canadian Power Squadron or other accredited organizations are always recommended, especially if your summer includes ample time on the water.
Getting your Boat Licensed
Your boat license or “Pleasure Craft Licence” is the number that is affixed to your boat for proper identification. Every boat needs this license number and is attainable online at www.boatingsafety.gc.ca or at a Service Canada Centre. To find one in your area visit http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca.
Quick Reference: Free Discover Boating Safety App
This handy interactive app is available for iOS and Android systems and offers quick access to important boating regulations, best practices, and guidelines for better preparation on the water. According to Discover Boating, most of the information is accessible whether or not you have a connection and is divided into four basic segments to include preparation, trip planning, reference guides, and emergencies. Available in English, Français and 中文. For more details visit www.discoverboating.ca/safe-boating-app