Minimum legal requirements for recreational boats (as of spring 1999). For more information call the Canadian Coast Guard at: 1-800-267-6687 This is a completely new category for required safety equipment.

One approved lifejacket - or - one approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) of the appropriate size for each person on board. Flotation devices must now be the appropriate size for each person on board.

One manual propelling device - or - one anchor with at least 15 metres of rope or chain (approx. 50 feet). See below for the definition of a "manual propelling device". The requirement for "one manual propelling device" replaces the requirement to carry two oars or two paddles.

One bailer - or - one manual pump with sufficient hose to pump water from the bilge over the side of the vessel. If a manual pump is used to fulfill this requirement, it must now have sufficient hose to pump water from the bilge over the side of the vessel.

Navigation lights must meet applicable standards set out in the "Collision Regulations" if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

A sound signalling device (can be a pealess whistle) - or - a sound signalling appliance. This requirement can now be fulfilled with a "sound signalling appliance".

A buoyant heaving line that is at least 15 m long (approx. 50 ft). Lifesaving cushion is no longer valid, and the buoyant heaving line must now be at least 15 metres long (approx. 50 ft.).

Minimum legal requirements for recreational boats (as of spring 1999). For more information call the Canadian Coast Guard at: 1-800-267-6687 This is a completely new category for required safety equipment.
Under the old regulations, there was no distinction between unpowered and
powered recreational boats in this size range.

One approved lifejacket - or - one approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) of the appropriate size for each person on board. Flotation devices must now be the appropriate size for each person on board.

One manual propelling device - or - one anchor with at least 15 metres of rope or chain (approx. 50 feet). See below for the definition of a "manual propelling device". The requirement for "one manual propelling device" replaces the requirement to carry two oars or two paddles.

One bailer - or - one manual pump with sufficient hose to pump water from the bilge over the side of the vessel. A bailer or manual water pump is not required for any self-bailing sealed hull sailing vessel fitted with a recess-type cockpit that cannot contain a sufficient quantity of water to make the vessel capsize or a multi-hull vessel that has subdivided multi-sealed hull construction. Also new for 1999: if a manual pump is used to fulfill this requirement, it must now have sufficient hose to pump water from the bilge over the side of the vessel.

Navigation lights must meet applicable standards set out in the "Collision Regulations" if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

A sound signalling device (can be a pealess whistle) - or - a sound signalling appliance. This requirement can now be fulfilled with a "sound signalling appliance".

One Class 5BC fire extinguisher if the vessel is equipped with a fuel-burning cooking, heating, refrigerating appliance or a fixed fuel tank of any size. The fire extinguisher must now be rated for both "B" (combustible liquids) and "C" (electrical) fires. Extinguisher requirements now apply if a boat has a refrigerating appliance.

A buoyant heaving line that is at least 15 m long (approx. 50 ft). Lifesaving cushion is no longer valid, and the buoyant heaving line must now be at least 15 metres long (approx. 50 ft.).

Minimum legal requirements for recreational boats (as of spring 1999). For more information call the Canadian Coast Guard at: 1-800-267-6687 This is a completely new category for required safety equipment.
Under the old regulations, there was no distinction between unpowered and
powered recreational boats in this size range. Note that powered includes
sailboats that are equipped with an outboard motor.

One approved lifejacket - or - one approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) of the appropriate size for each person on board. Flotation devices must now be the appropriate size for each person on board.

One manual propelling device - or - one anchor with at least 15 metres of rope or chain (approx. 50 feet). The requirement for "one manual propelling device" replaces the requirement to carry two oars or two paddles.

One bailer - or - one manual pump with sufficient hose to pump water from the bilge over the side of the vessel. A bailer or manual water pump is not required for any multi-hull vessel that has subdivided multi-sealed hull construction. Also new for 1999: if a manual pump is used to fulfill this requirement, it must now have sufficient hose to pump water from the bilge over the side of the vessel.

Navigation lights must meet applicable standards set out in the "Collision Regulations" if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

A sound signalling device - or - a sound signalling appliance. This requirement can now be fulfilled with a "sound signalling appliance".

One Class 5BC fire extinguisher if the vessel is equipped with an inboard engine, a fixed fuel tank of any size, or fuel-burning cooking, heating, or refrigerating appliance. The fire extinguisher must now be rated for both "B" (combustible liquids) and "C" (electrical) fires. Extinguisher requirements now apply if a boat has a refrigerating appliance.

A buoyant heaving line that is at least 15 m long (approx. 50 ft). Lifesaving cushion is no longer valid, and the buoyant heaving line must now be at least 15 metres long (approx. 50 ft.).

A watertight flashlight - or - three approved flares (type A, B, or C). Flares are valid only for four years from date of manufacture. These are new requirements for boats in the size category.

Minimum legal requirements for recreational boats (as of spring 1999). For more information call the Canadian Coast Guard at: 1-800-267-6687  The old size category was 5.5 to 8 metres.
It's now for boats 6 to 8 metres in length (approx. 20 to 26 feet).

One approved lifejacket - or - one approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) of the appropriate size for each person on board. Flotation devices must now be the appropriate size for each person on board.

One manual propelling device - or - one anchor with at least 15 metres of rope or chain (approx. 50 feet). The requirement for "one manual propelling device" replaces the requirement to carry two oars or two paddles.

One bailer - or - one manual pump with sufficient hose to pump water from the bilge over the side of the vessel. The manual pump must now have sufficient hose to pump water from the bilge over the side of the vessel.

A reboarding device if the freeboard of the vessel is greater than half a meter (a ladder). The requirement to have some sort of ladder if the sides of the vessel is over 1.5 feet high is completely new.

One Class 5BC fire extinguisher if the vessel is power driven plus a second Class 5BC fire extinguisher if the vessel is equipped with a fuel-burning cooking, heating, or refrigerating appliance. The new regulation means that many boats will now have to carry two fire extinguishers. These must now be rated for both "B" (combustible liquids) and "C" (electrical) fires. Extinguisher requirements now apply if a boat has a refrigerating appliance.

Navigation lights must meet applicable standards set out in the "Collision Regulations" if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

A sound signalling device - or - a sound signalling appliance. This requirement can now be fulfilled with a "sound signalling appliance".

A buoyant heaving line that is at least 15 m long (approx. 50 ft.) - or - an approved life buoy ring 610 or 762 mm in diameter that is attached to buoyant heaving line that is at least 15 m long. Lifesaving cushion and 508 mm life buoy are no longer valid, the buoyant heaving line must now be at least 15 metres long (approx. 50 ft.), and if a life buoy is used, it must be attached to buoyant heaving line that is at least 15 m long.

A watertight flashlight - and - six approved flares (type A, B, or C). These flares are valid only for four years from date of manufacture. (Note: Flares are not required on boats in waters where they can never be more than a nautical mile from shore - a definition which should cover boats on the Ottawa River between Lake Deschenes and the Chat Falls Dam.) Additionally, flares are not required on boats with no sleeping arrangements that are engaged in an official competition, or in the final preparation for an official competition. Requirements for a watertight flashlight. Moreover, the six flares should not include type D flares.

Minimum legal requirements for recreational boats (as of spring 1999). For more information call the Canadian Coast Guard at: 1-800-267-6687

One approved lifejacket - or - one approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) of the appropriate size for each person on board. Flotation devices must now be the appropriate size for each person on board.

One anchor with at least 30 metres of rope or chain (approx. 100 feet). The anchor must now be equipped with 30 metres of rope or chain (100 feet).

One bailer - and - one manual pump with sufficient hose to pump water from the bilge over the side of the vessel. The manual pump must now have sufficient hose to pump water from the bilge over the side of the vessel.

A reboarding device if the freeboard of the vessel is greater than half a meter (a ladder). The requirement to have some sort of ladder if the side of the vessel is over 1.5 feet high is completely new.

One Class 10BC fire extinguisher if the vessel is power driven plus a second Class 10BC fire extinguisher if the vessel is equipped with a fuel-burning cooking, heating, or refrigerating appliance. The new regulation means that many boats will now have to carry two fire extinguishers. These must now be rated for both "B" (combustible liquids) and "C" (electrical) fires. Extinguisher requirements now apply if a boat has a refrigerating appliance.

Navigation lights must meet applicable standards set out in the "Collision Regulations" if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

A sound signalling device - or - a sound signalling appliance. This requirement can now be fulfilled with a "sound signalling appliance".

A buoyant heaving line that is at least 15 m long (approx. 50 ft.) - and - an approved life buoy ring 610 or 762 mm in diameter that is attached to buoyant heaving line that is at least 15 m long. The 508 mm life buoy is no longer valid, and the life buoy ring must be attached to buoyant heaving line that is at least 15 m long (in other words, two buoyant heaving lines are required).

A watertight flashlight - and - six approved flares (type A, B, C, or D). These flares are valid only for four years from date of manufacture. (Note: Flares are not required on boats in waters where they can never be more than a nautical mile from shore - a definition which should cover boats on the Ottawa River between Lake Deschenes and the Chat Falls Dam.) Additionally, flares are not required on boats with no sleeping arrangements that are engaged in an official competition, or in the final preparation for an official competition. Requirements for a watertight flashlight, and the exemptions from having to carry the necessary flares are new for recreational boats in this size range.

• A "manual propelling device" means a set of oars, a paddle, any other apparatus that can be used to propel a vessel, including pumping the rudder on small open boats.
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• On boats less than 12 metres in length, the sound signalling device can be a pealess whistle, compressed gas horn, or an electric horn.
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• Bailers must be made of plastic or metal and have a capacity of 750ml and a minimum opening of 65cm² (e.g. a 4 liter bleach bottle with the bottom cut out).
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• Class 5BC fire extinguishers include .90 kg (approx. 2 lbs) dry chemical suitable for both combustible liquid and electrical fires. Class 10BC includes 2 kg (approx. 5 lbs) dry chemical suitable for both combustible liquid and electrical fires.
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• Types of Flares :
• • Type A: Parachute flares (burns for at least 40 seconds)
    Type B: Multi-Star flares (fired in groups of two, burns 4 to 5 seconds).
    Type C: Hand held flares.
    Type D: Hand held or buoyant smoke flare (day use only).
    Note that flares are only valid for 4 years after the date of their manufacture.
• In Canada the horseshoe-type life buoy does not fulfill any Coast Guard safety requirements. Also note that as of April 1, 1999, lifesaving cushions and lifebuoys with a diameter of 508 mm are no longer acceptable to fulfill Coast Guard requirements.
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• Useful information when calculating safety requirements: one meter equals 3.28 feet or 39.37 inches; one nautical mile equals 6076 feet or 1.852 kilometres.
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• Sailboards are exempted from most of the safety equipment requirements if the person using the sailboard is wearing an approved flotation device of the appropriate size, or is engaged in an official competition. However, sailboards must still carry a sound signalling device (a pealess whistle) and appropriate lights when operating at night.
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• It is obvious that the safety equipment listed above is the absolute minimum required to meet legal requirements. Depending on the size of your vessel, the type of boating you do, and where, you should consider carrying the following: a compass, charts, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a tool kit, binoculars, a VHF radio (or at least a weather or AM/FM radio), at least 150 feet of anchor rope, possibly a second anchor with rode, and perhaps a depth sounder.
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• Any pleasure craft over 20 registered tons, or powered by an engine of 10 HP or more must be licensed. The licence number must be affixed to both sides of the bow with contrasting lettering at least 7.7 cm high (3 inches). (This requirement probably doesn't apply to many recreational boats unless they are powered by more than 10 hp.) For more information about licensing recreational boats in the National Capital Region, call 991-0520.
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• A official copy of the boat's up-to-date licence (i.e. in the owner's name) should be on board. If not, people will usually be given a reasonable period of time (maybe 48 hours) to produce the licence. NOTE: this requirement applies to boats that have been licensed in the past even if they weren't originally required to do so. In other words, if a licence number can be seen on the bow of a boat powered by less than 10 hp, the owner will be expected to produce an official copy of the boat's licence.
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• In Canada, porta-pottie type heads must be permanently installed in the boat and equipped for proper pump out.
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• Flame arrestors are required on inboard gasoline engines. Boats with inboard gasoline engines also have to be equipped with power operated exhaust fans to remove any gasoline fumes which may have settled in the bilge or engine compartment. The exhaust fans should be run for at least 4 minutes before starting the engine.
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• Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan (and possibly additional provinces) have adopted the regulation limiting boats to a top speed of 10 km/h when within 30 metres of shore (approx. 100 feet).
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Ontario adopted the federal government's new Contraventions Act late in summer of 1996 (New Brunswick, P.E.I., and Manitoba have started using this system as of 1999). Adopting the Contraventions Act means law enforcement officials in these provinces can now issue fines for failing to carry the necessary boating safety equipment or committing other infractions on the water. Under this system you can plead guilty and pay your fine by mail. It is likely that more provinces will also be adopting provisions of this federal legislation in the near future.

Prior to the new Contraventions Act, officers had to issue summons requiring boaters to appear in court in the county where the alleged infraction took place. This also meant the officer had to take a day off from regular duties to appear in court, a factor which discouraged the issuing of summonses for minor offences.

It's obvious that this situation will change now that officers can directly issue fines for boating related infractions. As a result, boaters in Ontario relevant provinces should make sure that they are carrying all mandatory safety equipment and meet all legal requirements this year. This includes having a boat licence aboard (where applicable) and making sure the head installation and other equipment complies with applicable regulations. Most of the fines for boating related infractions appear to range from $100 to $200.