Rules and Regulations

The minimum equipment required on your boat in Canada depends on the length. Details

Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) (formerly known as mandatory education or licensing) began in April 1999 with young operators. By 2009, a Pleasure Craft Operator Card is required for operating any powered boat. Foreign visitors and renters follow special rules. Details

Boat Licenses, Registration, and Markings for boats before you can launch. Licensing is the norm -- you get nice numbers like 40E2682. A new system of boat licensing is still in federal plans. Details

Boating Laws, including the Contraventions Act with on-the-water tickets for a number of infractions. Details

Rules of the Road are what you need to know to avoid a collision with all those other boats out there. Details

Visiting the U.S.A. can involve customs decals, I-68 forms, video checkin terminals, cruising permits, or CANPASS. Security procedures have changed since 2001. Details

Entering Canada - Foreign boaters need information on immigration, customs, tax rebates, marine radio, environmental laws, boat and operator licensing requirements, and which ports to report to. Details

VHF marine radio in Canada requires two licenses, an optional license for the radio and a mandatory license for the operator. Print out the VHF channel chart to take with you. Details

Alcohol & Boats is governed by federal and provincial laws. We included a discussion from the Canadian boating group about drinking and boating. Details