Criminal Offences in Canada – Pleasure Craft

Dangerous Operations

Every one commits an offence who operates a vessel or any water skis, surf-board, water sled or other towed object on or over any of the internal waters of Canada or the territorial sea of Canada, in a manner that is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances, including the nature and condition of those waters or sea and the use that at the time is or might reasonably be expected to be made of those waters or sea

Impaired

Every one commits an offence who operates a vessel or has the care or control of a vessel whether it is in motion or not,

  • while the person’s ability to operate the vessel is impaired by alcohol or a drug; or
  • having consumed alcohol in such a quantity that the concentration in the person’s blood exceeds eighty milligrams of alcohol in one hundred millilitres of

Failure to Comply to Demand

Everyone commits an offence who, without reasonable excuse, fails or refuses to comply with a demand for breathe or blood samples.

Towing Persons

Every one who operates a vessel while towing a person on any water skis, surf-board, water sled or other object, when there is not on board such vessel another responsible person keeping watch on the person being towed, is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

Every one who operates a vessel while towing a person on any water skis, surf-board, water sled or other object during the period from one hour after sunset to sunrise is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

Failing to Stop

Every person commits an offence who has the care, charge or control of a vessel that is involved in an accident with

  • another person,
  • vessel

fails to stop the vessel or, if possible and offer assistance.

False Messages

Every one who, with intent to injure or alarm any person, conveys or causes or procures to be conveyed by letter, telegram, telephone, cable, radio or otherwise information that he knows is false is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

Unseaworthy Vessels

Every one who knowingly sends or being the master takes a vessel that is registered or licensed, or for which an identification number has been issued, pursuant to any Act of Parliament and that is unseaworthy and thereby endangers the life of any person, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

Tying Up to a Buoy

Every one who makes fast a vessel or boat to a signal, buoy or other sea-mark that is used for purposes of navigation is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

**Every one who wilfully alters, removes or conceals a signal, buoy or other sea-mark that is used for purposes of navigation is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years.

Operating a Vessel while Disqualified/Prohibited

Every offender who operates a vessel or aircraft in Canada while disqualified from doing so, other than an offender who is registered in an alcohol ignition interlock device program established under the law of the province in which the offender resides and who complies with the conditions of the program,

  • is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or
  • is guilty of an offence punishable on summary

The operator of the vessel must comply with the request/demands of an enforcement officer. Their powers include the following:

  • Ask for ID
  • Ask for proof of competency
  • Ask any pertinent questions
  • Go on board