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Boating Safety Regulations At A Glance
Commercial Vessels: New Requirements as of April 2007
- If you are a crewmember, Master or Operator of any vessel engaged in any type of commercial work, you must be certified. This law created by Transport Canada in 2001 is now in full force.
- Depending upon the size of vessel, type of activity or distance from shore, you will be required to have one or more of the following safety courses: ROC-M (sometimes referred to as ROC-MQ) or ROC-MC, SVOP, MED.: A1, A2, B1, B2, A3, C, D. and possibly PCOC.
- The regulations that apply to your situation will depend on whether your vessel is commercial (non-pleasure), a fishing vessel, a special purpose vessel or recreational (pleasure craft). Regulations and requirements to safeguard a vessel and its occupants increase as the risk increases. As the vessel size, number of passengers, operating area, and environmental risk factors increase, more stringent requirements are added to mitigate these risks. In other words small commercial vessels navigating in sheltered waters require less regulations than sea-going vessels which require enhanced safety equipment, constructions standards and operator certification.
A voyage classification will be assigned to your vessel according to your area of operation. Most small vessels operate in Home Trade Voyage Class III or IV Waters, Inland Waters, or Minor Waters.
Small vessels are those vessels other than Fishing Vessels and Pleasure Craft, which do not exceed 150 Gross Tons and are approximately 24 meters or less.
Pleasure Craft Operator Cards (PCOC):
- As Of Apr.1,1999 If under the age of 12 and unaccompanied/unsupervised by a person 16 years of age or older: not allowed to operate a boat with an engine more
powerful than 7.5 kw (10 hp)
- As of Apr.1,1999 If at least 12 years of age but not yet 16 years old and
unaccompanied/unsupervised by a person 16 years of age or older: not allowed to operate a boat with an engine more powerful than 30 kw (40hp).
- As of April 1, 1999 If under the age of 16 - may not operate a personal
watercraft. (PWC) No Exemptions
- All persons born after April 1, 1983 must be licensed!
- As of Sept.15, 2002, any
person operating a powered recreational vessel less than 4 meters
(13-1/2 Feet) (this includes personal watercraft) will need to meet the
specified training requirements. ("in other words you need a
license")
- As of Sept.15, 2009, all operators of power boats would need to
meet the specified training requirements.
- People that have already taken boating safety courses will see their course certificates recognised. (this is soon to be revoked)
- Experienced boaters will have the option of taking a challenge test without taking a course.
- Foreign visitors who have a pleasure boat in Canada will be granted a grace period of 45
consecutive days.
- People renting a vessel will be required to complete a dockside checklist.
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Heads-Up
Navigation
e-mail:
captain@headsupnav.com
5704
Wellsview Rd., Victoria, BC. V8Y
1V5
Toll
Free in North America:
1-877-655-4656 or
250-704-0325
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