Boating Regulations

Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety is the focal point for the recreational boating community. It has instituted some regulations that may affect members and guests of the Pennsylvania Club while they are visiting our facilities on Pennsylvania Island.

If you are a resident of a country other than Canada and will be boating in Canadian waters, you can read about the requirements in full at this site: Requirements for Foreign Recreational Boaters in Canadian Waters. Here are some of the pertinent regulations:

The Regulations apply to non-residents only :

• 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 issued by their state or country.

So as long as you operate a boat that is not licensed in Canada, nor operate you own boat for more than 45 consecutive days in Canadian waters, you do not need to show proof of competency. Where this regulation could apply to you, is if you rented a boat at a local marina such as Moon River. Then you would be operating a boat that is licensed in Canada and in this case you would need to show proof of competency. The boat rental safety check-list from the marina should satisfy the requirement.

Age - Horsepower Restrictions

The Age - Horsepower Restrictions prohibit operators under the age of 16 from operating recreational vessels above specified horsepower limits:

• Children under the age of 12 and not directly supervised by someone 16 years of age or older can operate a recreational vessel with no more than 10 hp (7.5 KW) .
• Youth between 12 years of age and under 16 years of age and not directly supervised by someone 16 years of age or older can operate a recreational vessel with no more than 40 hp (30 KW).
• Only persons 16 years of age or older can operate a personal watercraft (PWC) regardless of supervision.

Remember - You need to comply with the small vessel regulations concerning safety equipment.

And if you do want to take the exam for the boat operator card, here's a website that doesn't charge you for the study materials. Of course, they do charge you to take (or retake, if needed) the exam.

 

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