Three things you might not know about boating laws in Ontario:
1. Bet you didn’t know when using a stand-up paddle board (SUP) you are required to either:
- Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) with a whistle
- OR Carry on board a PFD, a whistle, AND a floating throw rope
2. Did you know you must have a spotter for towed sports – that includes when driving a personal watercraft (jet ski)?
3. Did you know the fine for operating a motorized boat at speeds exceeding 10 km/h within 30 meters (100ft) of the shoreline is $200. This speed limit is in effect unless specified otherwise, such as in canals or rivers under a certain width where the municipality determines the limit, or for boats operating at a perpendicular angle to the shore for watersports.
Carrying the proper safety equipment and operating safely are the law. If you get caught breaking the rules, fines vary, but generally:
- General lack of safety equipment: $200 fine.
- Missing or inadequate life jackets/PFDs: $200+ fine plus $100 for each missing or inappropriate size life jacket.
- Operating a boat without a spotter or seating for the passenger in tow: $250+.
- Careless Boating: $350+.
- Failing to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC): $305 fine.
- Underage boating: $250 fine.
- Speeds exceeding 10 km/h within 30 meters (100ft) of the shoreline: $200
- Impaired Boating:
- First offence: Minimum $1,000 fine and potential suspension of driver's license
- Second offence: Minimum 30 days imprisonment and other penalties.
Photo: personalwatercraft.com
5 things the OPP will look for on the lake
1. There needs to be a personal flotation device (PFD) for every person on board, they have to fit properly, show no wear or be missing fasteners. They have to be readily accessible (if you’re not actually wearing yours) and if it’s an inflatable life vest, users must be age 16 or older and you must be wearing it. The fine applies to every person on board who is not in compliance. Typically, the fine for not having the right life jacket is $200+ in Ontario.
2. Having open liquor or cannabis on board. You may transport these items, but they have to be sealed, stowed, and out of sight. The only times when you can “consume” on your boat is when you are moored or anchored and you have a permanent washroom, cooking and sleeping accommodations onboard. People in kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and other watercraft are covered under this regulation. The operator can be fined $215 and everyone else onboard can also be charged $125 per person.
3. The operator must have their valid Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card (PCOC) with them in the boat and the fine is $305 for not having the card onboard (even if you have one at home). It’s also best to have your other ID with you too. The PCOC card does not have a photo and the other ID can help establish that you are the person who holds that PCOC card. Fine: $305.
4. A spotter is required when using your boat for “towed sports” (water skiing, wake boarding, wake surfing, tubing, etc.) and that spotter must be considered reliable or competent. Obviously, you can’t safely drive the boat and watch the skier at the same time. Another part of this regulation is that there must be an available seat in the boat for every person being towed in case you need to bring them into the boat. If you are towing with a personal watercraft, it will need to be a three-seater and you can only tow one person. You have a driver, spotter and one rider—that’s three seats minimum. The fine is $250+.
5. Powered vessels require a Pleasure Craft License and the Transport Canada vessel license numbers are to be properly displayed on the bow of the vessel. You are also required to have the registration—on board—and the vessel’s ownership (or copies) too. Not having the license registration earns you a fine of $305.
Required Safety Gear
For sail or power boat 6 m or under (19’8”)
According to Transport Canada, the following boat safety equipment is required for all motorized and sailing vessels no longer than 6 m.
- One appropriately-sized life jacket or PFD that is approved for use in Canada for each person on board
- A buoyant heaving line (floating rope) that’s at least 15 m long
- A manual propelling device such as a paddle or an anchor with at least 15 m of rope, cable or chain
- A bailer or manual water pump to get water out of the boat
- A sound-signalling device such as a whistle to use in the event of an emergency
- A waterproof flashlight or 3 flares
- Navigation lights if you’re going out during the hours of darkness or in conditions with reduced visibility
- A fire extinguisher if the vessel has an inboard motor, a fixed fuel tank or any fuel-burning appliances
- A reboarding device such as a ladder if the boat rises more than 0.5 m out of the water
- A magnetic compass if the boat is over 8 m long or out of sight of navigation markers
If your boat is between 6 and 9 m (19”8” – 29’6”)
- All of the equipment listed above, with the following change:
- Both a waterproof flashlight and 6 flares
Canoes and kayaks
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
If every person on board a personal watercraft is wearing a lifejacket or a PFD of an appropriate size, you are only required to carry:
- A sound-signalling device such as a whistle to use in the event of an emergency
- A waterproof flashlight or 3 flares
- A magnetic compass if the personal watercraft is navigated out of sight of navigation marks
- Navigation lights if the personal watercraft is used after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.
See: Safe Boating Guide
Sources: Transport Canada, FOCA
