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Boating Safety news

Risk Factors for Recreational Boating Deaths in Canada

December 2, 2022

Recreational activities account for 86% of boating deaths in Canada. The Canadian Red Cross has analyzed almost two decades-worth of data on boating deaths in the country to determine the most common risk factors and make recommendations to improve boating safety. Failure to wear a PFD The number one contributing factor to recreational boating deaths Read more ›

Who Enforces Boating Safety Regulations in Canada?

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), provincial and municipal police forces and other authorized local authorities enforce boating safety regulations in Canada. Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety is responsible for overseeing enforcement activities. The purview of boating law enforcement officers Officers enforcing boating safety regulations are authorized to: Stop, board and inspect a vessel Read more ›

Boating Lights, Rules and Tips for Safe Boating at Night

June 2, 2025

Updated June 2025 Boating at night comes with particular challenges. It’s much harder to see clearly in the dark, and waterways can’t be equipped with the same lampposts and reflective tape that make roads more visible at night. That’s why there are regulations in place requiring boats to display navigation lights that make them more Read more ›

Boat Leaks: What to Do When Your Boat Springs a Leak

May 28, 2025

Updated May 2025 A boat leak can rapidly become a very dangerous situation. Even a small hole under the waterline can leak hundreds of litres a minute. When your boat springs a leak, it’s important to act fast to ensure everyone’s safety and try to find and correct the problem before the craft sinks. Being Read more ›

What is a Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check?

July 29, 2022

A Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check is a safety check for recreational vessels under 20 m offered by certain organizations on behalf of Transport Canada. The courtesy check service is entirely voluntary and free of charge. At the request of the pleasure craft operator, a trained volunteer will board the docked vessel and conduct a thorough Read more ›

Operating in a Narrow Channel

Navigating in a narrow channel can be particularly dangerous, since visibility and maneuverability are often reduced. Boaters should take care to follow the international rules for narrow channel navigation, which can be found in the Canadian Collision Regulations. When operating in a narrow channel, vessels must stay as close to the starboard edge of the Read more ›

What is a Safe Speed for a Vessel?

April 30, 2025

Updated April 2025 Determining the right speed for your vessel is not always an easy task. Speed limits are not as ubiquitous on the water as they are on roadways, and much depends on your surroundings and the current environmental and meteorological conditions. Boaters are expected to accurately assess the situation at hand and adjust Read more ›

Boat Propeller Strike: How to Avoid Accidents

June 30, 2022

Propellers play a vital role in propulsion for many types of boats, but they can be extremely dangerous for people who get too close to them in the water. They can easily cause severe injuries and even prove fatal, so it’s important to take steps to minimize the risks. Find out how boat propeller accidents Read more ›

Hypothermia: Symptoms & Recommended Treatments While Boating

March 21, 2022

Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in core body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold. Normally, our body temperature remains around 37°C. A drop of just a few degrees can seriously affect the body, and a more significant drop can prove lethal. Because immersion in cold water lowers body temperature 25 times faster than air, Read more ›

What Should Be Included on a Boating Float Plan?

November 22, 2021

Boating involves a certain amount of risk. That’s why there are measures and laws in place to help people boat more safely. Vessels are required to have certain safety equipment on board, and boaters need a license in order to operate their craft. While float plans aren’t required by law, they are a simple safety Read more ›