Sailing and Boating in Canada
Information on the rules on boat licences and sailing competency requirements, the sea safety recommendations and more, with details of how to buy or import a boat...
Find below information on who to call in the case of an emergency at sea, how to contact the boating authorities, the safety guidelines to follow, how to licence or register a boat, proof of competency requirements, how to buy or import a boat and what to do when arriving in Canada by recreational boat.
Emergencies at Sea
The Canadian Coast Guard provides emergency and search and rescue service to the waters off the coast of Canada. There are three Canadian Joint Rescue Co-ordination centres (JRCCs) located in Victoria, Trenton and Halifax.
- JRCC Victoria
Joint Rescue Co-Ordination Centre Victoria (JRCC Victoria)
24-hour emergency number Tel: 1 800 567 5111 (toll-free within region) / 250 363 2333
Fax: 250 363 2944 - JRCC Trenton
24-hour emergency number Tel: 1 800 267 7270 (toll-free within Canada) / 613 965 3870
Fax: 613 965 7190 - JRCC Halifax
24-hour emergency number Tel: 1 800 565 1582 (toll-free within region) / 902 427 8200
Fax: 902 427 2114 - Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety provides information on how to deal with boating emergencies: Click here
General Boating Authorities
Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety administers programmes to reduce safety risks and environmental impacts of boating.
- Transport Canada
At: 330 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0N5
Tel: 613 990 2309 / Toll free 1 866 995 9737
Fax: 613 954 4731
email
Transport Canada provides a Safe Boating Guide outlining regulations and safety and emergency information for Canadian boaters.
- To download the guide: Click here (PDF)
The Canadian Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and municipal police have authority to enforce boating laws.
Safety
Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety provides safety information for recreational boaters, including:
- Required safety equipment for pleasure crafts: Click here
- Key safety information: Click here
- Tips on safe operation of boats: Click here
Licensing and Registration
Pleasure craft (for example motor boats, jet skis and sailboats with motors), used in the waters off Canada must be licensed OR registered.
A pleasure craft is a vessel that:
- Is used for recreation
- Does not carry paying passengers
- Has a motor of 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more
Pleasure craft licences are free and are obtained by applying to the Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre. Licences are issued by Transport Canada. The licence number must be painted on the bow of the vessel and a copy of the licence must be carried in the vessel at all times.
Detailed information on applying for a Pleasure Craft Licence is available from Transport Canada.
- Boating Safety InfoLine Tel: 1 800 267 6687
email
Registration is a title system for ownership of vessels.
- Vessels other than a pleasure craft must be registered
- Owners of a pleasure craft may register their vessels on a voluntary basis
- If a boat is registered, a Pleasure Craft Licence is not required
- Detailed information on registering a vessel is available from Transport Canada: Click here
Proof of Competency
All operators of a pleasure craft must carry proof of competency on board. Proof of competency indicates the boater has a basic level of boating safety knowledge required for safe recreational boating.
Proof of competency can be any of the following:
- A Pleasure Craft Operator Card, the most common proof, obtained after passing an accredited boating safety test
- Proof of having passed a boating safety course in Canada before 1 April, 1999
- A specified marine certificate. This can be any of the certificated listed on the Transport Canada website: Click here
- A rental-boat safety checklist - only valid for the rental period)
- For foreign visitors, an operator card or equivalent which meets the requirements of their own state or country.
- For further information for foreign visitors: Click here
Buying a Boat
Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety provides information on buying a boat.
New boats must have:
- A Hull Serial Number (HIN)
- A Transport Canada compliance note, certifying that the boat meets construction standards
- For more information from Transport Canada: Click here
Importing a Boat
Canadian citizens importing a boat from another country into Canada must declare the boat to the Canada Border Services Agency when entering the country and pay all applicable duty and taxes.
Visitors and temporary residents may temporarily import private boats for personal use.
- For further information on importing a boat: Click here
Coming to Canada on a Recreational Boat
Recreational boats arriving in Canada from another country must follow certain procedures to comply with Canadian law.
The master of a recreational boat is the person responsible for the vessel, its passengers, and its cargo. When arriving in Canada from another country, the master is required to go to a designated telephone reporting marine site and call the telephone reporting centre
- To find designated telephone reporting marine sites, Tel: 1 888 226 7277
The master must provide specific information about the passengers and cargo and no one except the master may leave the boat until the Canada Border Services Agency gives authorisation.
- Detailed information on procedures to follow when arriving in Canada via recreational boat can be found on the Canada Border Services Agency website