Top Boating Questions

Top 10 Boating Questions

This article is prepared for Paris Marine by John Gullick, SmartBoater.ca

Here are the top 10 boating safety questions that I most frequently get asked:

Q - Where do I go to get a Vessel Licence and/or transfer ownership of my vessel? A - Application forms are available on line at www.boatingsafety.gc.ca or for pick up at your local Service Canada Centre. Applications for pleasure craft license along with supporting documentation must be mailed-in for processing to the Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre:

Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre P.O. Box 2006 Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5G4

Please allow five (5) business days plus mailing time to process your application. Applications cannot be processed unless you provide complete information and include all required documents.

Q - What information do I need to licence my vessel? A - You need a bill of sale. If the vessel has already been licensed you will also need the vessel license signed off by the original owner. To transfer a license to your name, submit the following documents:

 a completed Form 84-0172E, Application for Pleasure Craft License;  proof of ownership of the pleasure craft; and  a signed photocopy of a valid piece of government-issued identification.

Instructions about how to fill out Form 84-0172E, Application for Pleasure Craft License, may be found on the Transport Canada Boating Safety site’s How-to page. In particular, see the "To transfer a pleasure craft license" section.

If you do not have documents that prove you own the pleasure craft, you will need to make a declaration under oath stating why you cannot produce the bill of sale or proof of ownership. You can use the sample declaration form (PDF Version, 62 KB) * provided on this site or another similar document, as long as it contains all the information required.

When applying for a pleasure craft license, include a signed photocopy of your personal identification document. We will return the photocopy to you when we send you your license.

Your application and supporting documents must be mailed-in for processing to the Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre. Q - Do I need to carry the vessel licence on board my vessel? A - Yes. The law requires that you carry a copy of the vessel licence on board your vessel. I suggest that you take a copy of the original, laminate it and keep it in a safe place on board. Keep the original in a safe location at home. Do not laminate it, you have to be able to assign it to a new owner if you sell your vessel.

Q - Do I need a station Licence for my VHF radio? A - If you are operating you VHF radio, including a hand held, on a Canadian vessel in Canadian waters - No. If you travel into international waters, including US waters, the answer is – Yes.

Q – Where can I get a VHF Station License? A - Contact any regional Industry Canada/Spectrum Management office in Canada. If your VHF has Digital Selective Calling (DSC) you will require a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) in order to activate the unit. You can also get your MMSI from Industry Canada/Spectrum Management.

Q - Do I need an Operators Certificate to use a VHF radio? A - Yes, anyone who operates a VHF (Very High Frequency), MF (Medium Frequency) or HF (High Frequency) radio using Marine frequencies, including a hand held radio, requires a Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) (ROC(M)). Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons Manages the ROC(M) programme for Industry Canada. This includes all training and testing. For the name if an instructor/examiner near you contact your local Canadian Power & Sail Squadron or their National Headquarters.

Q - Where can I get my recreational vessel Operator Competency Certificate or Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)? A - There are over 30 PCOC Approved Providers across Canada. Most are private For Profit companies. About three are Not for Profit organizations but all offer different services so make sure the one you choose can meet your needs. For a complete list of providers go to the Transport Canada Boating Safety web site.

Q - Is the PCOC the only certificate that I need to operate a powered pleasure craft in Canada? A - Officially yes, but many organizations like Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons believe that most operators of recreational vessels need to know more. For example, how to leave and return to a dock under different wind conditions, how to anchor a vessel properly, how to use locks, the use of environmentally friendly boating practices, how to trailer a vessel and the differences between canoes, kayaks, personal watercraft, sailboats and all kinds of powered vessels.

Q - What kinds of Safety equipment am I required to carry on board? Do I need flares? A - Different types of vessels and vessels of different lengths require different safety equipment. Depending on size, type and where you boat, you may or may not require flares for example. The Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide can help you determine what you need for your vessel.

Q - How do I know what type of Personal Flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket is best for me and my Children? A - There are many different types of PFDs and lifejackets on the market today. Are different that lifejackets. To use inflatable PFDs for example, you must be at least 16 years of age and be wearing the inflatable. It is not legally recognized if it is not being worn. There are PFDs for paddle sports, operating a personal watercraft, high impact PFDs and specialty PFDS for children and infants. Make sure you have the right PFD or lifejacket for your type of boating and remember they only work when you are wearing them.

It is said that knowledge is power and when it comes to boating you can never have too much of it. That knowledge can give you the confidence to really enjoy your boating experience and it can give others confidence in your abilities as a safe boat operator. The best trip is always a safe return trip.

To learn more about boating safety and everything you need to know to enjoy great times on the water visit a new national boating safety site www.SmartBoater.ca . Everything on the site is free and downloadable.