There is a growing number of pleasure boats in Canada with an estimated 8 million Canadians involved in recreational boating activities every year. The Canadian Coast Guard’s Office of Boating Safety (OBS) works closely with communities and partners across the country to promote safe boating practices aimed at reducing the 6,000 accidents and 150 boating fatalities that occur every year on our waterways.

Safety is a shared responsibility.
Recreational boaters must take an active role in ensuring our waterways are safer for everyone. A boating safety course makes sense. Educating yourself on your craft and its limits, the nautical rules of the road and safe boating techniques will improve safety on the waterways.

To go boating, you need proof of competency.
Did you know that all operators of vessels fitted with a motor and under four metres in length (including personal watercraft) are required to have an Operator Competency Card for this boating season? The Coast Guard strongly recommends that all operators take an accredited boating safety course to get their cards. For a list of accredited course providers and more information, visit www.boatingsafety.gc.ca or call 1-800-267-6687.

Save a life. Wear your flotation device.
Every year more than 600 lives are lost due to drowning. According to the Canadian Red Cross, 70 per cent of boaters who drowned were not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket. If they had, many of these fatalities could have been avoided. The Canadian Coast Guard strongly urges boaters to wear their PFD or lifejacket at all times. It’s simple – it’s your life, preserve it.

Don’t cruise with booze.
At least 40 per cent of all power-boating fatality victims had a blood alcohol level above the legal driving limit. Mixing alcohol and boating is far more dangerous than most people realize. Fatigue, sun, wind and the motion of the boat dull the senses and alcohol intensifies these effects. Booze and boats simply don’t mix. Operating a vessel while impaired is illegal and an offence under the Criminal Code. Convictions, even for a first offence, can result in heavy punishment.

Careless operation of a vessel can lead to fines.
Operating a vessel in a careless and inconsiderate manner is against the law. Know the risks, and play by the rules. If you jump waves or come unreasonably close to other vessels, disturb the peace, speed near swimmers, play chicken or weave through congested traffic at high speed, you risk receiving a hefty fine and possibly ending up in front of a judge.

Boaters beware – carbon monoxide can kill.
In the last year, an alarming number of boating fatalities were caused by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Such deaths can occur when swimming or diving around pontoons or platforms mounted on vessels or being in areas where engine exhaust gases may accumulate. Cooking, heating or even leaving a motor on idle can result in a dangerous build-up of CO, a toxic, odourless, tasteless and non-irritating gas that can kill within minutes. Be aware of the hazards and take precautions. Install a CO detection system and only use fuel-burning appliances under well-ventilated conditions.

Kayakers – make sure you’re seen on the water.
Even in bright, calm conditions a kayak can be invisible. It’s especially difficult for powerboats and large vessels riding high in the water to see kayaks. Remember, even if you can see other boats, they may not be able to see you. Make sure that you are well seen and heard. The colour of your kayak and your PFD or lifejacket can play an important role. Yellow, orange and red are the colours that are the most visible on water. Take precautions and keep signalling devices within hand’s reach.

Don’t take a child under six on your personal watercraft.
The Canadian Coast Guard is cautioning all personal watercraft operators not to carry passengers under the age of six. Young children do not have the necessary skills to ride safely and tragic accidents could result. All passengers should be seated behind the operator and everyone aboard should wear a personal flotation device or lifejacket of the appropriate size.

Age and horsepower restrictions save lives.

It’s everyone’s responsibility to know the rules:
Children under 16 can’t operate a personal watercraft, either supervised or unsupervised.
Children between 12 and 16 can’t operate a pleasure craft fitted with a motor larger than
40 horsepower.

Children under 12 can’t operate a pleasure craft fitted with a motor larger than 10 horsepower.
For more information:

Call the Office of Boating Safety at 1-800-267-6687 or visit our web site at www.boatingsafety.gc.ca.