BOATsmart Canada is your source to get a boating license. For more information, click here.

1. Important Points About
Recreational Boating

2. Intro
• Boating is one of the more enjoyable summer activities for a lot of people,
but it can also be one of the more dangerous. Recreational boating
accounts for many injuries and many deaths every year, and even though
accidents are part of any kind of traveling, you can reduce the likelihood of a
mishap.
• Following some important points about recreational boating will keep you
and your guests safe while out on the water.

3. Get Your License
• You can take the test for your pleasure craft operator’s license online, and it
isn’t overly hard to get. But it will provide you with the knowledge you need
to stay safe on the water and obey all of the necessary laws. It wasn’t too
long ago that no licensing at all was required to take a boat out on the
water, but enough injuries and fatalities have occurred over the years to
make government react. The bottom line is, don’t take control of any kind of
motorized pleasure craft without the proper license. Recreational boating
must be safe above all else.

4. Get Your License
• Just like with driving a car, you need a boat license if you’re going to be in
control of a boat on Canadian waters. Law enforcement has the right to
board your vessel and ask to see your proof of competency, which is your
boat license. If you aren’t able to show the license, you’ll have the pleasure
of a $250 fine right then and there. And it isn’t enough to say that you’ll
show it later. The fine applies even if you’ve passed your test, but just don’t
have the actual license with you.

5. Instruct Your Guests
• Another important point to keep in mind about recreational boating is to instruct your
guests on the proper way to behave while on the boat. Some of the information you
should relay includes:
– Stepping up onto the boat rather than jumping
– Holding onto the sides or any railings when getting on and off
– Where lifejackets are located
– How to put lifejackets on
– Where the first aid kit is located and what’s inside
– How to keep their balance on the boat if they’ve never been on one before
– Which laws are applicable to their time on the boat
• You also might want to ask around amongst your guests to see if anyone has taken
the necessary boat exam, just in case you are incapacitated for any reason.

6. Refrain from Drinking
• Drinking and boating is just as frowned upon as drinking and driving, and it
is a very important thing to remember about recreational boating.
• When you are boating, you will suffer many of the same effects as you will
when drinking and driving, including:
– Impaired judgment
– Impaired motor skills
– Slow down in reflexes
• The difference with boating and drinking is that the effect of the alcohol can
hit you much faster and more seriously when you are out in the sun, like is
often the case. Just like with your car, you will be charged under the
Criminal Code if you operate a boat while your blood alcohol level is 0.08 or
higher.

7. Watch that Fatigue
• Even if you aren’t drinking, just being out on the water in the sun for a long
period of time can create a condition known as ‘boater fatigue’. The
sun, wind, boat vibration and motion of the boat contribute to boater
fatigue, and although it can be pretty bad on its own it’s even worse when
you are drinking.

8. Practice Proper Etiquette
• Even if you are good with the law, your guests are well instructed and you’re
full of energy, there are still the other boaters to consider. Boating etiquette
is an aspect of recreational boating that will keep you in the good graces of
the other boaters and will enhance your safety.
• Some of the important elements of proper boating etiquette include:
– Being mindful of the waves you leave behind
– Slowing down as you approach other boats or swimmers
– Securing your belongings when you launch
– Moving swiftly to launch or refuel when there are a lot of other boats waiting
– Keep your boat lines away from anyplace where someone might trip over them
– Keeping the water and your boat clean
– Keeping noise levels to a minimum or at least in line with everyone else

9. Practice Proper Etiquette
• If you exhibit general courtesy at all times when you’re on the water, it
should make for an enjoyable time for you and your guests, without
disrupting too many other boaters.

10. Reference
• This presentation is brought to you by BOATsmart Canada, your source to
get a boating license. For more information, click here.