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Having a buoyant heaving line on board your pleasure craft in Canada is a standard safety measure mandated by Transport Canada’s Small Vessel Regulations. Failing to have this required safety equipment on board and readily accessible can result in significant fines if your vessel inspected by law enforcement.
Key takeaways
- All pleasure craft in Canada must have a buoyant heaving line on board.
- The length of the line must be at least 15 metres (for vessels under 12 metres in length), or longer for larger vessels.
- The line must be able to float, be in good, serviceable condition, consist of a single, unbroken length of rope, be readily accessible in case of an emergency, and be fitted at one end with a throw bag (or equivalent) so that it can be thrown accurately.
Table of contents
- What is a buoyant heaving line?
- Why a buoyant heaving line is a key piece of safety equipment
- The importance of buoyant heaving lines in cold Canadian waterways
- Buoyant heaving line: minimum length
- Vessels that require a buoyant heaving line in Canada
- Buoyant heaving lines: general requirements
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a buoyant heaving line?
A buoyant heaving line is a floating rope that can be thrown overboard to assist a person in the water who is in distress. A soft floating object is attached to one end of the buoyant heaving line to help it float and to act as a weight so that it can be thrown more accurately.
Why a buoyant heaving line is a key piece of safety equipment
When a person falls overboard, they are often too far away for someone still on board to reach them and offer help. A buoyant heaving line makes it possible to pull the person in the water back to the boat without putting yourself in danger. All you need to do is throw the rope accurately. This is why it is so important to have a weighted rope that floats, and to practice throwing before you find yourself facing an emergency situation.
The importance of buoyant heaving lines in cold Canadian waterways
In cold Canadian waters, cold water shock is a real risk and hypothermia can set in very quickly. Being able to throw a line immediately is much faster than maneuvering a boat back to a person, especially in high winds or currents. It is also safer, as it minimizes the risk of propeller strike.
Buoyant heaving line: minimum length
| Vessel Length (Pleasure Craft) | Minimum Buoyant Heaving Line Length |
| Up to 12 m (39 ft 4 in) | At least 15 m (49 ft 3 in) in length. |
| Over 12 m up to 24 m (78 ft 9 in) | At at least 15 m in length
Also required: A lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting light or attached to a buoyant heaving line of at least 15 m. |
| Over 24 m (78 ft 9 in) | At least 30 m (98 ft 5 in) in length. |
Vessels that require a buoyant heaving line in Canada
Virtually all pleasure craft, regardless of the propulsion type or size of the boat, must legally carry a buoyant heaving line.
This includes:
- All human-powered pleasure craft (such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and paddleboats).
- All sail and power-driven pleasure craft.
- Personal Watercraft (PWCs).
Buoyant heaving lines: general requirements
The line itself must also meet certain criteria:
- It must be in good, serviceable condition.
- It must be made of a buoyant material (it must float).
- It must be a single, unbroken length of rope.
- It must be readily accessible in case of an emergency.
- It should be fitted at one end with a buoyant mass (like a throw bag) to assist in throwing the line accurately.
The boat operator is responsible for informing everyone on board where the line is located. The line should never be used for any purpose other than as boating safety equipment in an emergency situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This special floating rope is used to safely throw a line to a person who has fallen overboard and pull them back to the vessel.
No. It must be a single, unbroken length of rope.
Yes, it must have a buoyant mass (like a float or bag) attached to one end to help you throw it accurately. You will see the difference when you practice throwing it.
A buoyant heaving line is a piece of emergency boating safety equipment. If someone falls overboard, you will not have time to look for the rope. Keep it somewhere where you can grab it quickly and easily, but where no-one will trip on it (for example, mounted or coiled somewhere near the helm or stern).
No. It should be used only as emergency safety equipment to be sure it is in good working condition and always available for use.
No. It is a separate piece of equipment, though it can sometimes be used in combination with a life buoy.
Sources
- Government of Canada Small Vessel Regulations.Department of Justice. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2010-91/
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