Magnetic Compass Requirements for Boating in Canada

Since magnetic compasses remain functional when other navigational aids fail, they are a required piece of boating safety equipment for recreational boaters on Canadian waters.

Key takeaways

Magnetic compasses indicate True North. They are required for safe boating because they provide vital navigation information without requiring a power source.
Using a magnetic compass correctly requires an understanding of variation and deviation.
You must also learn how to calculate your exact position using the information provided on your compass, your nautical chart’s compass rose and your boat’s deviation card.

Table of contents

Magnetic compass: purpose
Magnetic compass requirements by vessel size
- Other magnetic compass requirements
Notes on the use of magnetic compasses
- Variation and deviation
Frequently Asked Questions

Magnetic compass: purpose

A magnetic compass is a device that assists the operator of a pleasure craft in determining direction and measuring their boat’s heading.

Thus, it provides a reliable way to determine direction that doesn’t require power of any kind or the ability to see land, the sun or the stars. It also gives boaters a way to navigate when out of view of the shore or in reduced visibility.

Magnetic compass requirements by vessel size

According to Canada’s Navigation Safety Regulations, every vessel over 8 m in length, and smaller vessels that are not within sight of navigation markers, must be equipped with a standard magnetic compass that functions without any power supply. This includes PWCs.

Other magnetic compass requirements

Location: Mounted at the main helm and clearly visible to the helmsman.
Power: Must work without a power supply except for an internal night light, which makes it possible to read in poor light.
Calibration: Must be compensated, with a deviation table/curve available on board.
Interference: Installed at the manufacturer’s recommended safe distance from metal.
Structure: Must be made to handle all onboard conditions (wet and dry) and temperatures.

Notes on the use of magnetic compasses

A magnetic compass 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’s important to note that magnetic compasses point to the magnetic poles, not the geographic poles. There is a slight difference between the two, called variation by boaters, that you need to consider when determining your heading using a compass.

In Canada, we have some of the highest rates of Variation in the world. In parts of the Maritimes, it can be around 16° West, while in parts of British Columbia, it is roughly 16° East. If you ignore this, you could end up miles off course!

It should also be noted that due to the magnetic nature of these compasses, they are influenced by the proximity of metallic and electric devices and materials. They may produce erroneous readings if they are too close to iron, magnets, strong electric currents, etc. This is referred to as deviation.

Variation and deviation

In navigation, the formula to determine the compass course from the true course is:

Compass Course = True Course + Variation + Deviation

West values are added. East values are subtracted.

You can use this mnemonic to remember: West is Best, East is Least.

You can find the numbers you need at the following locations:

Variation: on your nautical chart’s compass rose.
Deviation: on your boat’s deviation card.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use the compass on my GPS or phone instead?

No. Legally, a GPS does not replace a magnetic compass in Canada. A magnetic compass works without a power source; a GPS fails if the battery dies or the electronics short-circuit. In addition, Most GPS units provide Course Over Ground (COG), which only works when the boat is moving. A magnetic compass provides your heading even when you are sitting still or moving very slowly in a current.

2. How do I fix a bubble in my compass?

A bubble usually means the compass is leaking fluid or the fluid has contracted due to extreme cold. Small bubbles may disappear when the weather warms up and the fluid expands. Large bubbles may require professional servicing.

Sources

Government of Canada Magnetic Declination Natural Resources Canada. https://www.geomag.nrcan.gc.ca/mag_fld/magdec-en.php
Government of Canada. Navigation Safety Regulations, 2020 (SOR/2020-216)Department of Justicehttps://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2020-216/FullText.html

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