Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6
The major acts, regulations, and codes affecting boaters in Canada are:
 Canada Shipping Act
 Small Vessel Regulations
Collision Regulations
Boating Restriction Regulations
Charts and Nautical Publications Regulations
Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations
Contraventions Act
Criminal Code of Canada
There are no age exemptions and no grandfather clauses for the above statutes and they apply to all boaters in Canada (except for Nunavut). A violation of any of the above statutes can result in serious penalties, fines, or both.
The information that you must know for the exam is highlighted in bold print throughout this course. Module 2 contains the following sections:
The Small Vessel Regulations apply to all boaters operating on Canadian waters. These regulations:
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outline licensing requirements and power limits for recreational vessels; |
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specify the mandatory safety equipment required onboard; and |
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describe safety precautions to be taken while operating your boat. |
In Canada, all vessels not more than 15 tons gross tonnage or which are equipped with an engine that is 7.5 kW (10 hp) or larger must be licensed.
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Any boat with an engine 7.5 kW (10 hp) or larger must be licensed. Thus, a dinghy that accompanies a larger vessel and that has a motor that is 7.5 kW or larger must be licensed.
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A boat’s licence number must be displayed above the waterline on both sides of the bow in block letters and numbers at least 7.5 cm high. The letters and numbers should contrast with the colour of the hull.
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Vessels of 15 tons or more must be registered through a port’s Registrar General of Shipping The name must be displayed on both sides of the bow and both the name and port of registry of the vessel must be displayed on the stern of the vessel. The registration number and tonnage must be displayed inside the hull.
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The minimum amount and type of safety equipment required onboard is based on your boat’s length (i.e. bigger boats are required to have more equipment). All required safety equipment must be onboard and in good working order. The Small Vessel Regulations require four types of safety equipment to be carried on your boat:
1) Personal protection equipment;
2) Boat safety equipment;
3) Distress equipment; and
4) Navigation equipment.
Personal protection equipment includes:
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Approved personal flotation devices and lifejackets |
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Buoyant heaving lines |
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Life buoys |
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Re-boarding equipment |
Approved Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and Lifejackets
There must be an approved PFD or lifejacket that is in good condition and of appropriate size and fit for every person onboard [except for any infant who weighs less than 9 kg (20 lbs) or any person whose chest size  exceeds 140 cm (55 in)]. An approved PFD or lifejacket is one that bears a label or stamp indicating that it has been approved by the Canadian Department of Transport or the Canadian Coast Guard. Approved personal flotation gear does not include products such as buoyant seat cushions or water-skiing belts. |
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A PFD is designed to provide enough buoyancy to keep a conscious person’s chin out of the water. Specialised PFDs are available for sports such as water skiing and kayaking. PFDs do not have a lot of buoyancy, making them unsuitable for rough water. PFDs are not designed to keep an unconscious person face-up in the water.
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Lifejackets are much more buoyant than PFDs and are designed specifically to keep an unconscious person face-up in the water. This is important when a person is immersed in cold water since hypothermia can cause a person to pass out. Lifejackets are more bulky and less comfortable than PFDs.
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Canadian Coast Guard data show that if you are involved in a serious boating accident, you are 5½ times less likely to drown if you are wearing a PFD or lifejacket. Your PFD or lifejacket is not much help to you if you do not wear it.
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Inflatable PFDs are not approved for any person who is less than 16 years old or who weighs less than 36.3 kg (80 lbs). In addition, PFDs that inflate automatically are not approved for use on PWCs, sailboards, or for use in any white water activity such as kayaking or rafting.
A PFD or lifejacket should fit snugly (not tightly) and allow freedom of movement of arms and legs. PFDs or lifejackets should be worn at all times while in a boat.
Approval of a PFD or lifejacket lapses if it has been damaged, altered, or repaired. Repairing a PFD or lifejacket does not restore it to its approved status. Use only a mild soapy solution when cleaning a PFD or lifejacket; dry-cleaning, strong detergents, gasoline, or solvents should never be used to remove a stain from a PFD or lifejacket.
Never store a PFD or lifejacket that is wet; first dry it in the open air (not in constant exposure to sunlight and not close to a direct heat source). When a PFD or lifejacket is not in use it should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated, easily accessible place on board the craft.
It is a good idea to test the buoyancy of a PFD or lifejacket at the beginning of every boating season. Use the following technique:
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Put on the PFD or lifejacket; |
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Wade into chest-deep water; |
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Bend at the knees to lower yourself further into the water; |
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Float on your back; and |
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Verify that the device keeps your chin above water and it is easy to breathe. |
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Parents Take Note
A PFD or a lifejacket is no substitute for adult supervision. Children should be reminded to wear their PFDs and they should be taught how to put them on in the water. PFDs are available that are designed specifically for children. Select one that best suits your child’s size and weight. Get children used to being in the water. Because of the way their body weight is distributed, they do not float well in a face-up position and tend to panic.
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Buoyant Heaving Lines – Buoyant heaving lines, composed of a floating line at least 15 metres in length with a float attached at one end, are required on most boats.
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Life Buoys – Operators of larger boats must carry life buoys that are attached to 15 m lines. The buoy must be circular in shape with an outside diameter of either 610 mm or 762 mm.
Note: The 508 mm diameter lifebuoys and horseshoes do not meet the requirement for having a lifebuoy.
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Re-boarding Ladder – All boats that are 6-12 m in length with a freeboard greater than 0.5 metres, and all boats longer than 12 m, must carry a re-boarding ladder Boats equipped with transom ladders or swim platforms already meet this requirement.
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Sound Signalling Devices – All vessels under 20 m in length and not equipped with a sound signalling appliance must carry some type of sound signalling device (such as a pealess whistle or a compressed gas horn).
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Sound Signalling Appliances – Boats more than 12 m in length must carry two sound signalling appliances (such as a bell and whistle), both of which meet technical criteria described in the Collision Regulations for frequency and audible range.
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Navigation Lights – Navigation lights (also called running lights) are required under the Collision Regulations if a vessel is operated after sunset and before sunrise or in periods of reduced visibility (such as in fog, mist, or rain). Navigation lights help vessels that are converging on crossing courses to determine which one has the right of way.
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Passive Radar Reflectors – Non-metallic boats and all vessels less than 20 m in length should carry a passive radar reflector mounted above the superstructure and not less than 4 m above the water unless in limited traffic conditions (such as a canal), daylight, or favourable environmental conditions. You are not required to carry a reflector if it is not essential to the safety of your boat, or if it is impractical to mount, or you operate where radar is not used by other vessels.
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Watertight Flashlight – Almost all vessels are required to have at least one watertight flashlight. This is especially true for small boats not equipped with navigation lights.
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Pyrotechnic Distress Signals – Pyrotechnic distress signals (flares) should be treated like they are explosives (they are). They must be stored away from children in a watertight container in a cool, dry location.
All pyrotechnic devices (such as flares and rockets) must be approved by Transport Canada. Approved pyrotechnic devices are valid for only 4 years from their date of manufacture. Consult your local law enforcement agency, the Canadian Coast Guard, or a local fire department for advice on disposing of out-of-date flares.
Flares are required for vessels operating in any ocean as well as for vessels operating in waters where one can be more than one mile from shore (or in waters that empty into a waterway where one can be more than one mile from shore).
There are four main types of pyrotechnic distress flares (Types A, B, C, and D). The number and types of flares required are based on a boat’s length (see table below). Read the manufacturer’s instructions before using a flare. Each type of flare has specific characteristics and uses:
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Type A: Parachute Flare – An aerial flare that, when launched, reaches a height of approximately 300 m and then floats down beneath a parachute.
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Type D: Buoyant or Hand-Held Smoke – A smoke flare that can be held in the hand or left to float on the water.
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Manual Propelling Devices – Include oars (with oarlocks), paddles, or any other apparatus that can be used to propel a boat (including pumping the rudder on small open sailboats). They should be carried on a powerboat in case the engine quits.
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Anchor – An anchor is good to have for when oars or paddles are insufficient to keep a current from carrying your boat into shallow water or onto rocks. You must carry either manual propelling devices or an anchor on board your boat. Your anchor must be attached to at least 15 metres of chain, cable, or rope. Bigger boats are required to use longer anchor lines (see table below).
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Hand Bailers and Buckets – Bailers must be made of plastic or metal and have a volume of at least 750 ml and an opening that greater than 65 cm² in area.
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Manual Pumps – A manual pump usually looks like a bicycle tire pump. If you choose to have a manual pump, the pump and hose must be able to reach the bilge and discharge over the side of the boat.
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Fire Extinguisher – A class 5BC fire extinguisher is required on any boat that has either an inboard motor, a fixed fuel tank, or an appliance that burns fuel. The letters BC identify the types of fire that an extinguisher will put out. Class A means the extinguisher puts out fires of combustible solid materials (wood, paper, etc.). Class B is for combustible liquids (gas, oil, etc.) and Class C is for electrical fires. The number before the letter(s) on an extinguisher rates the extinguisher’s size (a 10BC extinguisher puts out a bigger fire than a 5BC extinguisher). Bigger boats are required to carry bigger fire extinguishers (see table below).
A marine-grade fire extinguisher is recommended because of its resistance to corrosion. The extinguisher you choose should be approved by Transport Canada, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada, the British Board of trade for Marine Use, or the United States Coast Guard.
You are in violation of the Small Vessel Regulations if your vessel does not have all required safety equipment on board. This equipment must be maintained so that it functions properly. Ensuring that safety equipment is in working order is not just good sense, it’s the law.
A tabular summary of minimum requirements under the regulations based on boat length is provided in the following table:
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Type of vessel:
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Kayak
Canoe
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Sail
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PWC
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Unpowered and Powered Craft
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Vessel length:
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< 6 metres
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< 6 metres
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6 to 8 metres
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8 to 12 metres
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12 to 20 metres
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> 20 metres
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Required Safety Equipment
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PFD or lifejacket for each occupant
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Buoyant 15 m heaving line
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on 30 m line
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610 or 762 mm lifebuoy
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on 15 m line
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on 15 m line
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on 15 m line
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Re-boarding device
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if free- board > 0.5 m
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if free- board > 0.5 m
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Lifting harness
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Manual propelling device or anchor(s)
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30 m anchor line
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50 m anchor line
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50 m anchor line
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Bailer or manual water pump
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Bailer and pump
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Fire extinguisher(s)
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1
5BC
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1
5BC
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1 or 2
5BC
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1 or 2
5BC
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2
10BC
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3
10BC
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3+
10BC
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Fire axe
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1
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2
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10-L bucket(s)
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2
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4
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Powered fire pump
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Watertight flashlight or flares
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Light or 3 flares A/B/C
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Light or 3 flares A/B/C
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Light or 3 flares A/B/C
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Light or 3 flares A/B/C
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Light & 6 flares A/B/C
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Light & 12 flares A/B/C/D
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Light & 12 flares A/B/C/D
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Light & 12 flares A/B/C/D
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Sound signalling device/appliance
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any type
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any type
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any type
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any type
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any type
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1
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1+ bell
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1+ bell
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Navigation lights
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or a flashlight
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The following items are not required under the Small Vessels Regulations but they are recommended by freecourse.ca as standard equipment on pleasure craft if you plan to be on the water for more than a few hours:
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Spare clothing in a watertight bag; |
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Survival kit in a watertight bag (containing potable water, emergency rations, flashlight, whistle, and knife); |
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Tool kit (containing adjustable wrench, socket set, spark plug wrench, screwdriver set, hammer, vise-grips, slip-joint pliers, and needle nose pliers); |
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Spare parts (including fuses, bulbs, spare propeller, shear and cotter pins, nuts and bolts, penetrating oil, lubricating oil and grease, duct tape, electrical tape, filters, spark plugs, fan belt, spare fuel line, and hose clamps); |
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Tools and materials to temporarily stop a hull leak; |
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First aid kit stored in a dry place; and |
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VHF radio. |
A racing pleasure craft and its crew may carry alternative safety equipment when engaged in formal training, in an official competition, or in preparation for a competition.
Travelling on a body of water is much like driving a car across a broad surface upon which other cars can approach yours at any speed and from any direction. So, when you meet another boat while underway, which vessel has the right of way?
The Collision Regulations set out right-of-way rules to help boaters to determine who has the right of way; that is, which vessel maintains its course and speed (called the stand-on vessel), and which vessel gives way (termed the give-way vessel). These regulations apply to all vessels – from small pleasure craft up to large freighters – on all navigable waters in Canada. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, imprisonment, or both.
A power-driven vessel is any craft propelled by any type of engine. The rules of the road for when power-driven boats meet can be summarised as follows:
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Port sector: If a power-driven boat approaches yours from this sector, maintain your course and speed with caution. |
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Starboard sector: If a power-driven boat approaches yours from this sector, keep out of its way. |
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Stern sector: If a power-driven boat approaches yours from this sector, maintain your course and speed with caution. |
These rules of the road for power-driven boats are demonstrated in the following crossing situations:
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If a power-driven vessel approaches your powered vessel in your port sector, maintain your course and speed with caution and be ready to take evasive action quickly if the approaching vessel does not take action to stay clear of you. |
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If a power-driven vessel approaches your powered vessel from within your starboard sector and there is a risk of collision, you must alter your course and speed to stay well clear of the other vessel as well as avoid passing in front of the other craft. Take substantial, early action to make your intentions clear. |
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If a power-driven boat approaches your power-driven vessel from directly in front of you (i.e. on a reciprocal course), then you should deliver one short-blast sound signal and alter your course to starboard so that your vessel passes the approaching vessel on your port side. |
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If any vessel approaches your vessel from within your stern sector, maintain your course and speed with caution. Any vessel overtaking another must take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the vessel being overtaken. This rule applies to both powered vessels and sailing vessels. |
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If your power-driven vessel is on a crossing course with either a sailboat or a vessel that is fishing with nets or trawls, you must take early and substantial action (alter your course and speed) to keep well clear of the other vessel. |
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(Note: sailing vessels must take early and substantial action to keep clear of vessels fishing with nets or trawls. Just because a commercial fishing vessel with nets or trawls is a powered vessel does not mean that the sailboat has the right of way).
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Note: In the above examples of crossing situations, the give-way vessel must always give way early, obviously, and substantially and pass to the stern of the other vessel. You never get as close to another vessel as pictured in the diagrams above and following.
The Collision Regulations state that less-manoeuvrable vessels must be given the right of way. Thus, a vessel towing a barge or a vessel that is fishing with nets or trawls is always the stand-on vessel. Sport fishing boats and water-ski boats are considered fully manoeuvrable and are not exempt from the Collision Regulations.
Keep in mind that large ships are not nearly as manoeuvrable as smaller boats and may not be able to turn to avoid you. In some waters, there may appear to be lots of room, but the ship may be constrained by its draft to remain in a narrow channel. It may not be able to take avoiding action for fear of running aground. If you break down in front of a large commercial vessel you may not have time to get out of the way. Give large vessels plenty of room.
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On inland waters there are circumstances where a smaller vessel, even if it is the stand-on vessel, must give way to a vessel that is large or for which manoeuvring is difficult. For instance, if two vessels meet in a narrow channel where tide or river flow creates dangerous currents, then the vessel going down river automatically has the right of way.
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In addition, power-driven vessels less than 20 m in length and sailing vessels must give way to a vessel that can safely navigate only in a narrow channel or that is following a traffic lane. Under these circumstances, the smaller vessel is the give-way vessel regardless of its course. A large vessel may announce its right of way by sounding five short blasts on the ship’s horn.
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A sailing vessel is any craft under sail, provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used. The deciding factor in establishing right of way when sailing vessels meet is to determine the side of the vessel onto which the wind is blowing, called the windward side.
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Under the Collision Regulations, the windward side of a sailing vessel is defined as the side of the vessel opposite the side on which the main sail is being carried. If the sail is lying on the starboard (right) side, as shown at left, then the port (left) side of the vessel is the windward side. The Rules of the Road for sailing vessels can be summed up in the following crossing situations:
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A sailing vessel with the wind on its port side must take early and substantial action to keep clear of any sailing vessel that has the wind blowing on its starboard side, i.e. the vessel with the wind on its starboard side is the stand-on vessel. In the crossing situation depicted at the left, vessel A must alter course and speed to stay clear of vessel B. |
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If two sailing vessels both have the wind on the same side, then the sailing vessel to windward (the vessel that is upwind) must take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the leeward vessel (the boat that is downwind). Thus, in the crossing situation depicted on the right, Vessel B must alter course and speed to stay clear of Vessel A. |
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If a sailing vessel has the wind on its port side but the operator cannot determine with certainty if an upwind (windward) sailing vessel has the wind on its port or starboard side, then the downwind sailing vessel with the wind on its port side will take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the upwind vessel. |
Under the Collision Regulations, a masthead light facing forward, sidelights, and a stern light, must be exhibited on any power-driven pleasure craft that operates between sunset and sunrise or during periods of reduced visibility, such as is caused by fog, mist, or rain. Pleasure sailing craft underway between sunset and sunrise must exhibit sidelights and a stern light.
Since light configurations differ between power-driven vessels and sailboats, navigation lights can help you to determine if the vessel you are meeting is under power, under sail, or at anchor. This information, combined with the colours of the lights that you see, lets you determine if you should stand on or give way.
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All vessels have to show sidelights and a stern light. The port sidelight displays a red light through a horizontal arc of 112.5° and is mounted so that the light shows from straight ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on the port side. The starboard sidelight, in turn, displays a green light through a horizontal arc of 112.5° and is mounted so that the light shows from straight ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on the starboard side. The stern light is white and mounted at the stern so as to point directly astern and displays light through an unbroken horizontal arc of 135° across the stern.
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Any power-driven vessel (which includes any sailboat using its engine) must also display a masthead light, which faces forward and is mounted over the fore and aft centreline of the vessel. This light is mounted higher than the sidelights and displays an unbroken arc of white light through an angle of 225° (i.e. through the same arc occupied by the combined arcs of the port and starboard sidelights). This light lets you determine if another vessel is under power and whether you must stand on or give way.
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Following are some crossing situations that a powerboat operator might encounter while underway at night.
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If you meet a vessel on which you can see a green sidelight but no masthead light, then it is sail-driven and you are the give-way vessel. |
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If you meet a vessel on which you can see a green sidelight and a white masthead light, then the vessel is under power and you are the stand-on vessel. |
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If you meet a vessel on which you can see a red sidelight and a white masthead light, then the vessel is under power and you are the give-way vessel. |
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If you come upon a vessel displaying a white stern light, then you are overtaking; you must alter course and speed to stay well clear. |
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If you meet a vessel displaying a green light and a red light but no masthead light, then you are on a reciprocal course with a sail-driven vessel and you must give way. |
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If a vessel under 50 m in length is at anchor, it must display an all-round light in the forepart, which is a white light that displays an unbroken arc of light through a horizontal angle of 360°. |
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If a power-driven vessel underway is less than 12 m long, it may display, from sunset to sunrise, an all-round white light and sidelights instead of a masthead light forward, sidelights, and a stern light. The all-round light must be higher than the sidelights. |
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Sail-driven vessels under 20 m in length have the option of displaying a tri-light at the top of the mast (in lieu of sidelights and a stern light) while underway between sunset and sunrise. A tri-light is divided into three sectors: a red light showing through a horizontal arc of 112.5°, a green light displayed through an arc of 112.5°, and a white light (to show across the stern) displayed through an arc of 135°. |
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For sailing vessels that are under 7 m in length and for which navigation lights are impractical, the operator must have readily at hand a flashlight or lantern showing a white light so that an approaching boat can be signalled in time to avoid a collision. It is sometimes effective to use the light to illuminate the sail. |
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Vessels under oars (such as canoes and rowboats) without a power supply to operate navigation lights must carry a flashlight or lantern showing a white light to signal their presence to other vessels when travelling after dark. |
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Tugs may be towing barges or other ships on a long tow-line astern. Often, the length of the tow is so great that the tow-line hangs below the surface of the water and is virtually invisible. If a small vessel strikes the submerged tow-line it could capsize and then be run down by the barge. Never pass between a tug and its tow. Make sure you are aware of the special lights displayed by tugs towing barges or other vessels or objects.
In the case of a power-driven vessel towing another vessel from her stern, the towing vessel must exhibit:
1. Sidelights and stern light.
2. Towing light (yellow light with the same characteristics as the stern light).
3. Two masthead lights in a vertical line (three of these lights if the tow exceeds 200 metres).
4. A diamond shape where it can best be seen, if the tow exceeds 200 metres.
In the case of a vessel being towed, it must exhibit:
1. Sidelights and stern lights.
2. A diamond shape where it can best be seen, if the tow exceeds 200 metres.
3. If it is impractical for the vessel being towed to comply with the lights stated above, it shall carry one all-around white light at each end (fore and aft).
The Boating Restriction Regulations regulate the operation of small vessels on specific bodies of water in Canada. These regulations may impose shoreline speed zones (both posted and unposted), they may restrict the maximum horsepower on powerboats, and they may prohibit certain types of vessels from a body of water. For instance, a body of water may be restricted to only non-powered boats such as canoes and sailboats.
Under the Boating Restriction Regulations children less than 12 years old may only operate powerboats with motors under 10 hp (7.5 kW) while unaccompanied by an adult. A person who is between 12 and 16 years old may only operate boats powered by no more than 40 hp (30 kW) while unaccompanied by an adult. These regulations also specify that no-one under 16 years of age may operate a personal watercraft. There are no power restrictions on boaters 16 years of age or older.
The Boating Restriction Regulations may also restrict when and where certain activities are permitted. Water-skiing, for instance, might be restricted to certain parts of a lake or to between certain times of the day. Boaters should always be on the lookout for boating restriction signs. Failing to comply with a restriction (either posted or unposted) can result in substantial fines for the operator.
To avoid violating these regulations, all operators should familiarise themselves with the Boating Restriction Regulations signage system. Some samples are shown here:
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No internal combustion or steam engines permitted |
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Power limit
(7.5KW = 10 hp) |
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Speed limit (usually 5, 10, 25, 40, or 55 km/h) |
The main borders on restriction signs are orange in colour. If a special condition applies to the restriction (such as the times of day when an activity is allowed), then a section of the border will be green in colour. For example, if special conditions apply to a time restriction, (time of day, days of the week, or months of the year) then the times when an activity is permitted will be indicated within the green border (for time restriction conditions, red indicates the prohibition period and green indicates the permissible period of operation). If the border of the restriction sign incorporates an arrow shape, then the restriction applies in the direction indicated by the arrow.
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No power vessels between the hours and days indicated in red |
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No water skiing north of the restriction sign |
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No power vessels in the direction of the arrow |
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Not all boating restrictions are posted. For instance, within 30 metres of the shoreline, a 10 km/h speed limit is in effect on all waters within Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario as well as on selected lakes and rivers in other provinces, whether or not speed limit signs are posted. There are some exemptions to these restrictions; they include:
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Water skiing, where the towboat follows a course perpendicular to the shoreline when leaving or returning; |
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Where buoys designate that another speed is permitted; |
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In rivers or canals less than 100 m wide; and |
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In waters where the regulations prescribe another speed limit. |
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Charts are graphic representations depicting water areas, including depths, underwater hazards, traffic routes, aids to navigation, and adjacent coastal areas. They are published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The Charts and Nautical Publications Regulations require operators of all vessels to have on board the latest edition of the largest scale chart, documents, and publications for each area that they navigate and to keep these publications up to date. Vessels under 100 tons are exempt under certain conditions.
The Canadian Coast Guard publishes monthly Notices to Mariners, which contain important information and amendments to marine charts and publications. These notices can be obtained free-of-charge online at www.notmar.com.
Note: Topographic maps of land adjacent to a water body can also be useful to boaters. These maps depict natural and artificial features of the land, including elevation contours, shoreline, rocks, and land features above water. They are published by Natural Resources Canada and some provincial authorities and are intended for use by the general public on land. They are sometimes used for areas where no nautical charts are available but they do not depict underwater hazards, marine aids to navigation, channels, or anchorage areas.
A pleasure craft operator charged with an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada can receive a fine, jail time, or both. Operators can be charged with a criminal offence under any of the following sections of the Code:
Section 249 (1) – This section of the code states that it is an offence to operate any type of pleasure craft in a fashion that is dangerous to the public. Thus, it is illegal if an operator operates dangerously close to other vessels, or operates at dangerously high speeds, or disturbs swimmers with the vessel’s wake, or fails to slow the vessel when visibility is reduced.
Section 250 (1) – This section states that a pleasure craft operator must have a responsible person as spotter to keep watch on any person being towed.
Section 250 (2) – Under this section it is an offence for a pleasure craft operator to tow a person after dark. The obvious danger here is that at night other boaters will not be able to see the person being towed.
Section 251 (1) – Under this section, it is an offence for an operator to knowingly operate a vessel that is unseaworthy. A vessel is considered seaworthy if the hull is undamaged and appropriate for the type of sea condition, the engine is in conformance to the hull capacity plate, the vessel is not overloaded, and all equipment is in good working order.
Section 252 (1) – Under this section, if you are involved in an accident with another vessel you must render assistance to that vessel. In addition, operators of vessels involved in an accident must exchange their names and addresses.
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In addition to Section 252 (1) of the Criminal Code, under Section 451 of the Canada Shipping Act, the operator of a pleasure craft, insofar as he/she can do so without serious danger to his/her craft and passengers, must assist any person found at sea and in danger of being lost.
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Section 253 – This section of the code makes it a criminal offence to operate a vessel while in any way impaired. The consumption of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances can rapidly and significantly impair a person’s ability to operate a pleasure craft. Just as with automobiles, never hitch a ride with a boat operator who is impaired; instead, take action to prevent the impaired person from operating a vessel.
Section 372 – Under this section of the code it is an offence to send false messages or signals. Believe it or not, there are people among us who are amused by sending false distress signals. If a rescue unit is responding to a false call for help, it is unavailable for a real emergency, which could cost somebody their life.
Section 439 – This section prohibits interfering in any way with an aid to navigation. Under this section, it is an offence to conceal, remove, or alter a navigational aid such as a buoy, signal, or sea-mark. Thus, tying up to a buoy, for instance, is illegal since the mass of a boat can move a buoy. In addition, if a boat is high enough, it will conceal the buoy from other boaters.
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This free online course is solely for the use of boaters preparing to write a freecourse.ca Operator Proficiency Exam on the Internet or at a freecourse.ca testing centre. Please see our list of Testing Centres for a location near you.
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Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6
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