Harris & Ellis Yachts has partnered with BOATsmart!, the largest Pleasure Craft Operator Card provider in the country, to encourage boat owners and operators and their friends and family to obtain their cards.
Throughout Canada, as of September 2009, all operators of pleasure craft, fitted with any type of motor and used for recreational purposes, are required to carry proof of competency on board.*
Proof of competency indicates that the boater has a basic level of boating safety knowledge required for safe recreational boating. In the past, anyone of any age could operate a recreational boat without any minimum boating safety knowledge, experience or training. These requirements were introduced in 1999 in response to boating deaths and injuries, with the goal of improving safety on Canadian waterways through education and training.
Proof of competency can be any of the following:
- A Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) - this is the most common proof, obtained after passing an accredited boating safety test
- Proof of having passed a boating safety course in Canada before April 1, 1999
- A specified marine certificate from the List of Certificates of Competency, Training Certificates and other Equivalencies accepted as Proof of Competency when Operating a Pleasure Craft
- A completed rental-boat safety checklist – good only for the rental period
- For Foreign Visitors, an operator card or equivalent which meets the requirements of their own state or country.
The Pleasure Craft Operator Card is mandatory for all operators of motorized vessels regardless of age, size of boat or engine horsepower – it’s the law. Boaters caught without the card face a minimum $250 fine. By obtaining a PCOC, commonly known as a boating license, you are confirming that you have the knowledge and understand how to boat safely. Once obtained, the Pleasure Craft Operator Card is good for life.
Obtaining your Operator Card is easy with BOATsmart!, Canada’s online study guide and exam. Official Transport Canada Approved study material is available for free at BoatSmartExam.com, including practice tests to help you prepare for the exam. Once you’re ready, you can take the official online exam at BoatSmartExam.com and get your card.
The BOATsmart! exam consists of 36 multiple choice questions and a score of 75% is required to pass. Free retries are included and boaters are able to print a temporary card immediately upon passing the exam. The exam covers safe boating topics including navigation, right-of-way, marker buoys and boating terminology.
In order to complete the exam online you will require a Supervisor . Your Supervisor can be a non-family member, is age of majority in your province. Supervisors can register for free, and can be a friend or classmate, or you can contact your local campus to provide one for you. Supervisors do not require a Pleasure Craft Operator Card in order to register. Both your personal information as a boater, and your Supervisors personal information are registered confidentially in accordance with Canada’s Privacy Act.
Avoid the $250 fine and be sure to get certified and obtain your BOATsmart! Card today. Register online at www.BoatSmartExam.com .
Click here to take your BOATsmart! Canada exam TODAY!
* Proof of Competency is not required in the waters of Nunavut and Northwest Territories at this time.