Participation in recreational boating has increased dramatically in recent years. Between seven and nine million people enjoy Canadian waterways each year. Sadly, not every boating excursion is a return trip: the Canadian Red Cross and Lifesaving Society of Canada, who jointly collect on water-related fatalities annually - most of them preventable. Along with the devastating personal loss this represents, the economic effect for all of us is high. These figures do not include an estimated 6000 unreported non-fatal incidents every year that involve serious personal injuries, property loss, or the risk of such catastrophes.

Office of Boating Safety
The Office of Boating Safety, established in 1995, provides the recreational boating community with an improved focus within the Canadian Coast Guard on boating matters. Working closely with that community, it delivers prevention-based programs to reduce the safety risks and environmental impacts of boating across all waters in Canada.

Your Legal Responsibilities
As a boater, you are responsible for equipping yourself, for operating your boat safely, and for ensuring the safety of those on board. Operators and/or owners of pleasure craft
that do not comply with Canadian laws and regulations could be subject to penalties or fines.

As the owner or person entrusted by the owner, you are in violation of the regulations if you operate any craft that does not have all the required equipment on board, or in good working order. The same applies if you loan it.

Download your copy of the Equipment Requirement for Pleasure Craft Here.