Health Canada
Be safe on the water
Just like driving a car, operating a boat
takes skill, knowledge and careful attention.
Follow the proper safety precautions to
make sure you and your family get full
enjoyment out of being on the water. Here's
a list of essentials:
Wear your lifejacket
Make sure you and any children with
you wear properly sized lifejackets when on
or near the water. There must be a
Canadian-approved lifejacket of appropriate
size for everyone on board a boat, and
remember, it won't work unless you wear it!
Carry proof of competency
In Canada when you are operating a
pleasure boat with a motor, the law requires
you to carry a valid proof of competency on
board. This can be any of the following: a
Pleasure Craft Operator Card, a boating
safety course completion certificate issued
before April 1999, or an approved marine
certificate. If you don't already have a proof
of competency, you'll need to obtain a
Pleasure Craft Operator Card. You can get
yours by taking a boating safety course. You
should also carry personal identification,
such as a photo ID, and if the motor on your
boat is 10 horsepower or more, a Pleasure
Craft Licence.
Monitor the weather
Before heading out, make sure you get
the latest forecast for your area and that you
understand what it means. You should also
be aware of local factors (like topography)
PFDs vs. Lifejackets
Every adult and child aboard a
boat should wear a lifejacket or
personal flotation device (PFD)
at all times. Although you can
choose between lifejackets and
PFDs, keep in mind that
lifejackets offer a higher level
of protection. Lifejackets are
designed to turn you on your
back and keep your face out of
the water, even if you're
unconscious.
that may cause weather conditions to differ
from the forecast.
Know the area
Make sure you're aware of local
hazards, water levels and tides.
Share your sail plan with someone on shore
A sail plan includes your planned travel
route and describes your boat. You should
give this information to someone you trust
before your departure - even if you will only
be gone an hour or two.
PFDs are designed primarily for
recreational use and may be
less bulky and more
comfortable than lifejackets.
They may provide the same
flotation as lifejackets.
Inspect your boat and safety equipment
Check your boat to make sure it's safe
before leaving the dock. Ensure that all
equipment (based on the type and length of
your boat) is on board, in good working
order and easy to reach. Carry a first aid kit,
basic tools and spare parts.
There are several types of PFDs
to choose from. You can find
PFDs tailored to very specific
activities such as sailboarding,
kayaking and canoeing.
Have a safety briefing
Show everyone on board where the
safety equipment is located - and how to use
it. Also, make sure the communication
equipment works and everyone can use it.
When buying a lifejacket, check
for a label. One from Transp