Canadian Safe Boating Course
Preface
In 1997, power boating surpassed swimming as
the specific recreational activity accounting
for the most water-related deaths. Deaths from
pleasure power boating rebounded to 73
fatalities, up from 59 in the previous year.
These statistics do not reflect the number of
life altering injuries and the high dollar loss
values incurred as a result of powerboat
accidents. Young males between 18 and 24 years
continue to have the highest preventable
water-related death rate of all age groups. In
the majority of all powerboat accident related
drownings, the lack of use of personal
floatation devices (P.F.D’s), was cited as a
causal factor.
Statistics from 1996, which are based on an
estimated total of approximately 50,000 personal
watercraft, reflects an alarming rate of 15
deaths per 100,000 watercraft. Risk-taking
behaviour was cited as the most common singular
factor in PWC fatalities.
The increase in use and popularity of PWC’s
indicated an imminent need for strengthened boat
operator training and regulations.
Your enrollment in this Safe Boating
Course shows that you want to be part of the
solution. This course will provide you with an
easy to follow “common sense” approach to power
boating.. Plus all preparatory tools to enjoy
power boating safely!
Do You Know how to Boat Smartly?
Know the safe boating "Rules of the Road"
- No children under 12 years of age can
operate a powerboat with more than a 10 hp
motor.
- Youths 12 to 15 years of age may only
operate a boat with a motor over 40 hp if
accompanied and directly supervised by
someone 16 years of age or older.
- Minimum age for operating a personal
watercraft (sea-doo, jetski) is 16 years of
age.
- New small vessel safety equipment and
safety precaution requirements for boaters
include a new “careless operation of a
vessel” offence which requires boaters to
travel safely and avoid putting themselves
and others at risk.
- Operators of powerboats must have proof
of operator competency.
- As of September 1999, this applies
to any person born after April1, 1983.
- As of September 2002, this applies
to any person operating a powerboat less
than 4 meters, including personal
watercraft (PWC).
- As of September 2009, this applies
to all operators of all powerboats and
PWC’s
Get trained on Boating Safety.
Get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card! It's
the Law!
Know before you go
Avoid danger by taking a few minutes to check
- Weather forecast
- Local hazards
- maps and charts
- PFD’s
- first aid kit, tool kit, tools and spare
parts
- sufficient fuel
- safety equipment in working order
- does someone know where you are going
and when to expect you back
Wear your life jacket!
Less than 5% of all drowning victims were
wearing a life jacket or PFD (personal
floatation device). Less than half of the
people who wear a PFD, wear it properly.
Wear the right gear
Good sunglasses, appropriate clothing, and
the necessary paddles, whistles and flares are
the right gear too.
Boat Sober!
Don’t drink and drive in your boat. Alcohol
is involved in 36% of all preventable
water-related fatalities and over half of all
power boating accidents.
Drive your powerboat or PWC responsibly
Look before you act, stay low, drive at
moderate speed and be aware of changing weather
conditions and time of day.
Learn to swim
Never dive into shallow water
Don’t go in the water alone
Always swim with a buddy.
Always supervise young children near water
Play and swim in supervised areas only
