Sharing the Waterways – Pleasure Craft

Proceed at Safe Speed

Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.

In determining a safe speed the following factors shall be among those taken into account:

  • the state of visibility,
  • the traffic density including concentrations of fishing vessels or any other vessels,
  • the manoeuvrability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions,
  • at night the presence of background light such as from shore lights or from back scatter of her own lights,
  • the state of wind, sea and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards

Obey Boating Restrictions

These regulations, as well as other local regulations, deal with prohibited vessel type, standardized speed limits and maximum engine power limits which are specific to certain waters in Canada.

PROHIBITED VESSEL TYPE- some areas prohibit certain types of vessel due to numerous safety and environment concerns

STANDARDIZE SPEED LIMITS are also put into effect to address safety and environment issues.

* Pleasure Craft Operator need to be aware of the restrictions that are in place for the area in which they are operating in. They need be able to recognize the various signs that indicate the restrictions and they need to know what correct action to take.

Safe Operations

A person who operates a vessel shall do so in a safe manner and

  • shall take into account any circumstances that could pose a danger to the vessel or to other vessels; and
  • shall avoid endangering the safety of persons involved in any activity in any waters

Maintain a Proper Lookout

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

Using Sound Signals

A vessel of less than 12 metres in length shall not be obliged to carry the sound signalling appliances but she shall be provided with some other means of making an efficient sound signal.A vessel of 12 metres or more in length shall be provided with a whistle, a vessel of 20 metres or more in length shall be provided with a bell in addition to a whistle.