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Boat Safety Equipment: Canadian Requirements

Boats operating on Canadian waters must carry a specific selection of approved safety equipment on board, according to their size and type.

Key takeaways

• Canadian law stipulates that specific types of boating safety equipment be on board both human-powered and motorised vessels to ensure passenger safety and legal operation.
• Boat safety equipment includes personal lifesaving appliances, vessel safety equipment, visual signals, navigation equipment, and fire fighting equipment.
• Equipment requirements vary according to boat length and propulsion type, with some exceptions for vessels participating in competitions.

Table of contents

• Categories of Boat Safety Equipment
  • Personal Lifesaving Appliances
  • Vessel Safety Equipment
  • Visual Signals
  • Navigation Equipment
  • Fire Fighting Equipment
• Safety Equipment Requirements According to Boat Size and Type
  • Human-Powered Pleasure Craft
  • Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels up to 6 m (19’8”)
  • Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 6 m and up to 9 m (19’8” – 29’6”)
  • Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 9 m and up to 12 m (29’6” – 39’4”)
  • Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 12 m and up to 24 m (39’4” – 78’9”)
  • Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 24 m (78’9”)

Categories of Boat Safety Equipment

There are several categories of boating safety equipment, grouped according to function. Take a look at the following lists of equipment, ordered by equipment type. 

Personal Lifesaving Appliances

• Life jackets and/or Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
• Buoyant heaving lines
• Reboarding devices
• SOLAS lifebuoys
• Lifting harnesses with appropriate rigging

Vessel Safety Equipment

• Manual propelling devices
• Anchors (with cable, rope or chain)
• Bailers and bilge pumps
• Boat ventilation systems

Visual Signals

• Watertight flashlights
• Distress flares (pyrotechnic distress signals, buoyant smoke signals, rocket parachute flares, multi-star flares, hand-held flares)
• Dive flags (if accompanying activities such as snorkeling, diving, swimming, etc.)

Navigation Equipment

• Sound-signalling devices (pealess whistle, compressed gas horn, electric horn, etc.)
• Navigation lights
• Magnetic compasses
• Radar reflectors
• Nautical charts
• Tide Tables and Current Tables

Fire Fighting Equipment

• Boat fire extinguishers (appropriate size, type and number)
• Fire pump, fire hose and nozzle
• Axes
• Buckets

Safety Equipment Requirements According to Boat Size and Type

Scroll down or click through to check which specific safety equipment you need for your boat size and type.

Some vessels could be exempt from meeting the minimum safety equipment requirements, if participating in a race where accompanying vessels are carrying appropriate gear.

• Human-Powered Pleasure Craft
• Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels up to 6 m (19’8”)
• Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 6 m and up to 9 m (19’8” – 29’6”) 
• Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 9 m and up to 12 m (29’6” – 39’4”)
• Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 12 m and up to 24 m (39’4” – 78’9”)
• Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 24 m (78’9”)

Human-Powered Pleasure Craft

Note: Does not apply to paddleboats, watercycles, stand-up paddleboards and sealed-hull, sit-on-top kayaks. If every person on board one of these vessels is wearing a Canadian-approved PFD or lifejacket of appropriate size the only equipment required to carry on board is a sound-signalling device and a watertight flashlight.

• 1 Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD of appropriate size for each person on board
• 1 buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (49’3”) in length
• 1 reboarding device Only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard) is over 0.5 m (1’8”).
• 1 bailer or manual bilge pump OR bilge pumping equipment
• 1 watertight flashlight (for visual signalling purposes)
• 6 pyrotechnic distress signals other than smoke signals Unless the boat is operated in a river, canal or lake where it can never be further than one nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore, or does not have sleeping quarters competing in or preparing to compete in an official competition.
• 1 sound-signalling device or appliance
• Navigation lights Only required if the boat is operated after sunset, before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.).
• 1 magnetic compass Not required if the boat is 8 m (26’3”) or less and operated within sight of navigation marks.
• 1 radar reflector Radar reflectors are required on boats under 20 meters (65’7″) and on boats constructed primarily of non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is not required when the boat is in limited traffic and daylight conditions, and where the boat’s safety does not require the use of a radar reflector. Additionally, it is not required if the size of the boat makes installation impractical (should be installed at least 4 metres high).

Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels up to 6 m (19’8”)

• 1 Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD of appropriate size for each person on board
• 1 buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (49’3”) in length
• 1 reboarding device Only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard) is over 0.5 m (1’8”).
• 1 manual propelling device OR 1 anchor and at least 15 m (49’3”) made of cable, rope or chain in any combination
• 1 bailer or manual bilge pump Not required for a boat that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or even a boat that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible.
• 1 watertight flashlight
• 3 pyrotechnic distress signals other than smoke signals Unless the boat is operated in a river, canal or lake where it can never be further than one nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore, or does not have sleeping quarters competing in or preparing to compete in an official competition.
• 1 sound-signalling device or appliance
• Navigation lights Only required if the boat is operated after sunset, before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.).
• 1 magnetic compass Not required if the boat is 8 m (26’3”) or less and operated within sight of navigation marks.
• 1 radar reflector Radar reflectors are required on boats under 20 meters (65’7″) and on boats constructed primarily of non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is not required when the boat is in limited traffic and daylight conditions, and where the boat’s safety does not require the use of a radar reflector. Additionally, it is not required if the size of the boat makes installation impractical (should be installed at least 4 metres high).
• 1 5BC fire extinguisher if equipped with an inboard engine, a fixed fuel tank of any size, or a fuel burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance

Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 6 m and up to 9 m (19’8” – 29’6”)

• 1 Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD of appropriate size for each person on board
• 1 buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (49’3”) in length OR 1 lifebuoy attached to a buoyant line at least 15 m (49’3”) long
• 1 reboarding device Only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard) is over 0.5 m (1’8”).
• 1 manual propelling device OR 1 anchor and at least 15 m (49’3”) made of cable, rope or chain in any combination
• 1 bailer or manual bilge pump Not required for a boat that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or even a boat that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible.
• 1 watertight flashlight
• 1 watertight flashlight
• 6 pyrotechnic distress signals other than smoke signals Unless the boat is operated in a river, canal or lake where it can never be further than one nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore, or does not have sleeping quarters competing in or preparing to compete in an official competition.
• 1 sound-signalling device or appliance
• Navigation lights Only required if the boat is operated after sunset, before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.).
• 1 magnetic compass Not required if the boat is 8 m (26’3”) or less and operated within sight of navigation marks.
• 1 radar reflector Radar reflectors are required on boats under 20 meters (65’7″) and on boats constructed primarily of non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is not required when the boat is in limited traffic and daylight conditions, and where the boat’s safety does not require the use of a radar reflector. Additionally, it is not required if the size of the boat makes installation impractical (should be installed at least 4 metres high).
• 1 5BC fire extinguisher if equipped with a motor
• 1 5BC fire extinguisher if equipped with a fuel burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance

Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 9 m and up to 12 m (29’6” – 39’4”)

• 1 Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD of appropriate size for each person on board
• 1 buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (49’3”) in length
• 1 lifebuoy attached to a buoyant line at least 15 m (49’3”) long
• 1 reboarding device Only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard) is over 0.5 m (1’8”).
• 1 anchor and at least 30 m (98’5”) made of cable, rope or chain in any combination
• 1 manual bilge pump OR bilge pumping equipment Not required for a boat that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or even a boat that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible.
• 1 watertight flashlight
• 12 pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than 6 of which are of smoke signals Unless the boat is operated in a river, canal or lake where it can never be further than one nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore, or does not have sleeping quarters competing in or preparing to compete in an official competition.
• 1 sound-signalling device or appliance
• Navigation lights
• 1 magnetic compass
• 1 radar reflector Radar reflectors are required on boats under 20 meters (65’7″) and on boats constructed primarily of non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is not required when the boat is in limited traffic and daylight conditions, and where the boat’s safety does not require the use of a radar reflector. Additionally, it is not required if the size of the boat makes installation impractical (should be installed at least 4 metres high).
• 1 10BC fire extinguisher if equipped with a motor
• 1 10BC fire extinguisher if equipped with a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance

Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 12 m and up to 24 m (39’4” – 78’9”)

• 1 Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD of appropriate size for each person on board
• 1 buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (49’3”) in length
• 1 lifebuoy equipped with a self-igniting light or attached to a buoyant line at least 15 m (49’3”) long
• 1 reboarding device Only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard) is over 0.5 m (1’8”).
• 1 anchor and at least 50 m (164’1”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination
• Bilge pumping equipment
• 1 watertight flashlight
• 12 pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than 6 of which are of smoke signals Unless the boat is operated in a river, canal or lake where it can never be further than one nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore, or does not have sleeping quarters competing in or preparing to compete in an official competition.
• 1 or 2 sound signalling appliances (i.e., a fitted whistle); if the boat is longer than 20 m (65”7”) a fitted bell is also required
• Navigation lights
• 1 magnetic compass
• 1 radar reflector Radar reflectors are required on boats under 20 meters (65’7″) and on boats constructed primarily of non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is not required when the boat is in limited traffic and daylight conditions, and where the boat’s safety does not require the use of a radar reflector. Additionally, it is not required if the size of the boat makes installation impractical (should be installed at least 4 metres high).
• 1 10BC fire extinguisher at all of the following locations:
  • at each access to any space where a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance is fitted
  • at the entrance to any accommodation space
  • and at the entrance to the machinery space
• 1 axe
• 2 buckets of 10+ L each

Power-Driven and Sailing Vessels over 24 m (78’9”)

• 1 Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD of appropriate size for each person on board
• 1 buoyant heaving line at least 30 m (98’5”) long
• 1 SOLAS lifebuoys, of which:
  • one is attached to a buoyant line at least 30 m (98 ’5”) long
  • and one is equipped with a self-igniting light.
• Lifting harness with appropriate rigging
• 1 reboarding device Only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard) is over 0.5 m (1’8”).
• 1 anchor and at least 50 m (164’1”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination
• Bilge pumping equipment
• 1 watertight flashlight
• 12 pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than 6 of which are of smoke signals
• 2 sound signalling appliances s (i.e., fitted whistle and fitted bell) that meet the applicable standards set out in the Collision Regulations
• Navigation lights
• 1 magnetic compass that meets the requirements set out in the Navigation Safety Regulations
• 1 radar reflector Radar reflectors are required on boats under 20 meters (65’7″) and on boats constructed primarily of non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is not required when the boat is in limited traffic and daylight conditions, and where the boat’s safety does not require the use of a radar reflector. Additionally, it is not required if the size of the boat makes installation impractical (should be installed at least 4 metres high).
• 1 10BC fire extinguisher at all of the following locations:
  • at each access to any space where a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance is fitted
  • at the entrance to any accommodation space
  • and at the entrance to the machinery space
• 1 power driven fire pump located outside the machinery space, with one fire hose and nozzle that can direct water into any part of the boat
• 2 axes
• 4 buckets of 10+ L each

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Sources

• Government of Canada Small Vessel Regulations (SOR/2010-91) Department of Justice. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2010-91/FullText.html 
• Government of Canada. Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020 (SOR/2020-216) Department of Justice. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2020-216/ 
• Government of Canada Collision Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1416) Department of Justice. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/c.r.c.,_c._1416/FullText.html 

Related contents

• VHF Marine Radio in Canada: Distress Channels & Information
• Who Enforces Boating Safety Regulations in Canada?
• How to Test Your PFD: Life Jacket Inspection & Fitting

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