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 ›
A compliance notice is a guarantee from the manufacturer or importer that a boat meets the construction requirements set out in the Small Vessel Regulations. Manufacturers and importers are responsible for attaching their own compliance notices, which should be based on the format and specifications provided by Transport Canada. Compliance notice requirements According to the Read more ›
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 ›
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 their speed accordingly. Read more ›
When gazing at a vast expanse of water stretching across the horizon, it’s easy to imagine that a boat offers you endless possibilities. However, the reality of boating requires attention to the hidden dangers, busy navigation routes and changeable conditions of the water. With modern technology and access to information, it has never been easier Read more ›
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 ›
While boats are ingeniously engineered to stay afloat, they can capsize or sink if enough water gets in. Adverse weather conditions in particular can cause water to accumulate inside a boat and threaten its seaworthiness. That’s why it’s important to always have a bailer, manual water pump or bilge pump on hand to bail you Read more ›
Running aground is one of the most common types of boating accidents. While it can be difficult to avoid entirely, given the changeable nature of the underwater environment, there are things you can do to minimize your risk of running aground and steps you can take to try to free your boat if it does Read more ›
A radar reflector is a useful device that can help prevent large and small vessels from colliding on the water, particularly in adverse conditions. But what exactly is a radar reflector? How does it work? Is it required on all vessels? Find out the answers to all of these questions and more in this article Read more ›
What is a magnetic compass? A magnetic compass is a device that assists the operator of a pleasure craft in determining direction and measuring the boat’s heading. This device contains a magnetic element that, when allowed to float freely, will align itself in a north-south direction, pointing towards the earth’s magnetic poles. It is a Read more ›
