As a boat owner, one of your responsibilities is to ensure that you meet the boating safety equipment requirements. You must comply with the regulations if you don’t want to pay for hefty fines or penalties. It’s vital to remember that equipment requirements are just minimum requirements. That said, they don’t guarantee the safety of your ship or your passengers. In addition to your pleasure craft operator card, you must have with you, at all times, life jacket or flotation device approved by the Canadian government. They must be of appropriate size for the passenger on board.
Lifejacket
All vessels should have one wearable life jacket for every person on board. If your boat is 16 feet or longer, it should carry one throwable device. While your boat is underway, it’s a must that you and your passengers are wearing the life jackets at all times. Keep in mind that this device can save your life, only if you wear it. The Canadian government also requires boat owners to have a watertight flashlight in their boats. Or you can use flares approved by the Canadian government. These could be types A, B or C. Then, while on board, you must have sound-signaling device, a paddle, manual water pump and a class 5 BC fire extinguisher. Apart from these safety equipment items, you should also carry marine first aid kit, sunscreen, hat, drinking water, dry clothing and waterproof matches.
Don‘t mix alcohol and drugs while on board
Each year, hundreds of people die because of alcohol-related activities while they’re on the boat. When you’re boating with your family and friends, make sure to stay sober. It’s also the same when driving a car. You must never drive your car after drinking alcoholic beverages. When boating, you must always think twice about drinking alcohol. Some people think that it’s totally normal to drink and go boating. But it’s actually not. Drinking while boating is as illegal as drinking while driving. In fact, the former is more dangerous than the latter. Alcohol can diminish your judgment. It also disrupts your inner ear, thereby, reducing your hearing ability to determine water surface. So, be responsible when you go out there on the waters. You must always wait until you’re off the water before you drink alcoholic beverages.
Proper documentation of the boat
Apart from those safety equipment requirements, Transport Canada also requires boat owners always to carry their vessel documentation or registration. If yours isn’t updated, you need to process is today before you go. Renewing your documentation is a lot easier these days through the use of our documentation service. Feel free to contact our staff if you have inquiries about your application for documentation.