Canada: Operator Competency Requirements

[Hud3]

Of interest to non-Canadian boaters planning to head north this summer...

Operator Competency Requirements

The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations require that all operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor have proof of competency and proof of age on board at all times.
The Regulations are being phased in as follows:

• All operators born after April 1, 1983 are required to have proof of competency since 1999.
• As of September 15, 2002, all operators of craft of less than 4 m (13'1") in length, including personal watercraft, will be required to have proof of competency.
• As of September 15, 2009, all operators will be required to have proof of competency.

How the Regulations Apply to Non-Residents
The Regulations apply to non-residents:

• If they operate their pleasure craft in Canadian waters for more than 45 consecutive days or,
• If they operate a pleasure craft that is licensed or registered in Canada (including rented or chartered boats).
• The Regulations do not apply to non-residents who operate their pleasure craft in Canadian waters for less than 45 consecutive days. Please note that a proof of residence will be required on board at all times.

Acceptable Proof of Competency for Non-Residents
For non-residents, proof of competency can take one of three forms:

• A Canadian-issued pleasure craft operator card.
• A completed boat rental safety check-list (for power-driven rental boats).
• An operator card or equivalent that meets the requirements of their state or country.

Here's a link to the government website:

Visitor Information - Office of Boating Safety - Design, Equipment & Boating Safety - Marine Safety - Marine Transportation - Transport Canada

[Dave the Canuck]

In addition to Huds' notice above. Boaters who enter Canada and then wish to return to the US are now REQUIRED to present a passport when re-entering the States.

"Effective June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens are now required to present a passport book, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document when entering the United States.
Please Note: Children under age 16 will be able to continue crossing land and sea borders using only a U.S. birth certificate (or other form of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate.). The original birth certificate or a copy may be used. See the Department of Homeland Security's Ready, Set.. Go! for more information on the changing travel requirements."


I can't wait to hear the conversation at US Customs when some lucky boater is refused re-entry into their own country.

Here's the link. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

[Connemara]

Oh, I think they'll let 'em back. They'll just get a lot of hassle.

But I bet most US boaters -- especially in the Great Lakes -- will be aware of the requirement.

Connemara

[Cheechako]

Does that Proof of Competency help when you are operating a Cigarette at 60 MPH and T bone another boat?

[jdoe71]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Does that Proof of Competency help when you are operating a Cigarette at 60 MPH and T bone another boat?

Nah, prolly because the guy in the pecker boat got his brother to take the exam online for him and he doesn't have a clue what "competency" or "rules of the road" mean and he also wonders "what do those red and green things in the water mean?".

The whole thing has turned into a bit of a joke and hasn't, in my experience, improved things one bit.

[Cheechako]

will a license make things safer? A friend of mine with 30 years boating experience, (has sailed to OZ and back from west coast US etc) once ran into a mid channel bouy smack on. He had set his GPS/Autopilot to the location of the Mid channel bouy! I guess he should have had a license or maybe one of those certified sailing courses....
By the way, those Red and Green lights sure look pretty at night, but why do they leave the Christmas decorations up all year?

[Jim Quibell]

Originally Posted by Dave the Canuck

In addition to Huds' notice above. Boaters who enter Canada and then wish to return to the US are now REQUIRED to present a passport when re-entering the States.

"Effective June 1, 2009, all U.S. citizens are now required to present a passport book, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document when entering the United States.
Please Note: Children under age 16 will be able to continue crossing land and sea borders using only a U.S. birth certificate (or other form of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate.). The original birth certificate or a copy may be used. See the Department of Homeland Security's Ready, Set.. Go! for more information on the changing travel requirements."


I can't wait to hear the conversation at US Customs when some lucky boater is refused re-entry into their own country.

Here's the link. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

George W and Clinton were in Toronto a couple of weeks ago at some conference or whatever. A reporter asked them if they had their passports in order for their re-entry to the USA. Neither of them were aware of the new regulations the US government had made effective June 1, 2009.