"Safe Boating Week" is now underway and remember that any vessel being underway that has any type of motor, requires the operator to possess a valid Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) or proof of competency equivalence.
And, any vessel on the water (even paddleboats, paddle boards, dinghy's, inflatable floaties, and canoes) require all the necessary safety equipment on board.
The standard equipment includes:
- 15m floating heaving line
- watertight flashlight
- whistle - *must be Pealess* (or some type of sound signaling device, i.e. horn, or portable air horn, etc.)
- bailing bucket
- a paddle or an oar
- lifejackets or Personal Floatation Devices (PFD's) for every person on board (*self-inflating PFD's must be worn*)
- and depending on the size of the vessel and motor being used, it may require proper flares and a fire extinguisher
Horsepower and age restrictions:
- under 12yrs. may operate a boat with up to 10hp
- 12yrs. - 16yrs. may operate a boat with up to 40hp
- under 16 yrs. regardless of supervision shall NOT operate a personal watercraft (sea doo, jet skis)
- 16yrs. and older, there are no horsepower restrictions
For complete rules, click here.
Impaired operation on the water carries the same fines and penalties as on the highway.
