Attention Boaters – do you need your Operator’s Card?

After September 15, 2009 The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations will require all operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes to have proof of competency on board at all times. These requirements are being phased in over ten years, and already all operators of power craft under 4m in length (including personal watercraft), and all operators born after April 1, 1983, need to have their card with them on the water.

Proof of competency can take 1 of 3 forms:
· proof of having successfully completed a boating safety course in Canada prior to April 1, 1999; (If you have lost your boating certificate, you may be able to call up the agency that issued the certificate and obtain a copy)
· a pleasure craft operator card issued following the successful completion of a Canadian Coast Guard accredited test. The operator card is good-for-life.
· a completed rental-boat safety checklist (for power-driven rental boats).

How do I get a card?
Boaters can obtain their card after receiving a mark of at least 75% on a Canadian Coast Guard accredited test. Boaters have the option of taking this test without first completing a course. Each accredited course provider offers the accredited test.

What are my options?
take the course in class, by correspondence or through the internet or
purchase a training manual from an accredited training organization, study on your own and then take the test
If you already know the rules, you may wish to challenge the test although the CCG highly recommends taking the accredited course

How do I find an accredited course provider near me?
To obtain information on boating safety, accredited courses, and boating safety regulation, contact the Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety Infoline at 1-800-267-6687 or via E-mail: obs-bsn@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Please note that course providers offer the tests as well as courses

Some local accredited course providers include:

Interntional Sail and Power Association: Contact John Robin 748-5195 or cell 715-7370
Cowichan Power and Sail Squadron : Contact Jim Peakman 748-7376
Nanaimo Power and Sail Squadron: Training Officer, John Buhnai at 741-1990
Mount Brenton Power and Sail Squadron: (Ladysmith/Chemainus) Betty Peebles 245-5488
Sunsail Canada Sailing, 101 Cheryl Place Nanaimo. Shari and Ian MacPherson 250-758-5965

Obtaining your Operator Card over the internet:
http://www.safetyafloat.ca/main.html 25$ including tax
http://www.boaterexam.com/Training/training1.html 45$ including tax, 10$ per retry. http://betterboating.capris.net/ 30$ plus GST each try.

Proctors are needed to supervise all tests, including these Internet tests. See sites for more info.

What is covered during a course?
The course covers a full range of basic boating information such as:
minimum safety equipment requirements on board your boat
the Canadian Buoyage system
how to share waterways
a review of all pertinent regulations
and how to respond in an emergency situation

Cost of courses: courses cost between $55.00 and $85.00. Generally the courses run 6 to 8 hours with review and an exam to receive your operator’s card.

Other Boating Restrictions
There are also age restrictions for motor craft, applicable to people less than 16 years of age who are not directly supervised by an adult at least 16 years of age. Children under 12 can operate a vessel with no more than 10 hp (7.5 KW). People between the ages of 12 and 16 can operate a vessel with no more than 40 hp (30 KW). Only people 16 years or older may operate a Personal Watercraft.

Boating may look simple but there is a lot to learn!
Get Trained - Get your Operator Card!

Source: Canadian Coast Guard http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/obs-bsn/sbg-gsn/operator_e.htm