Pleasure Craft Operator Card
The Pleasure Craft Operator
Card, also known as a PCOC, is proof of competency under
the Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft
Regulations.  PCOC FAQ's
We are Transport Canada accredited course providers
for the PCOC.
As of 2002, any person operating any powered
recreational boat less than 4 metres (including personal watercraft) must provide proof of
competency.
As of September 15, 2009 any person operating
any powered recreational boat must have proof of competency.
Exemptions:
Proof of previous training (until 03/31/1999) such
as Canadian Power Squadron or Canadian Yachting Association courses.
Grace period of 45 days for non-residents of Canada
operating foreign boats without a recognized Competency Card.
In addition to carrying Proof of Competency aboard,
you are also required to carry personal picture identification.
How to obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator
Card:
Obtain and study a copy of the free Safe Boating
Guide, which we can supply, and then write the exam. There is now an addendum to the Standard. If you wish you may also order the Boating Basics
Handbook for $20.
As an
alternative, you may write the exam as part of your Basic Cruising or Basic Powerboat
course.
Cost: $75 plus 12%
HST
Register for Powerboating Information sent to your In box over six
days.
You will receive periodic emails with updates.
You will be able to unsubscribe at any time.
The Vessel Operation Restriction
Regulations include items like speed limits both posted and
unposted (such as shoreline speed zones), designated waters where boats are prohibited and waters where
certain activities are restricted, among others.
The regulations also outline age-horsepower
restrictions. These restrictions prohibit those less than 16 years of age from operating craft above
specified horsepower limits. If an operator is accompanied and directly supervised in the pleasure craft by
someone 16 years of age or older, the age-horsepower restrictions do not apply. These restrictions also
prohibit those less than 16 years of age from operating personal watercraft regardless of whether they are
accompanied or not.
| How this
applies to operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational
purposes |
Power
restrictions |
| Less than 12 years of age and not directly
supervised** |
Can operate a pleasure craft with no more than 10 hp
(7.5 kW)
|
| Between 12, and under, 16 years of age and not
directly supervised** |
Can operate a pleasure craft with no more than 40 hp
(30 kW) |
| Less than 16 years of age |
Not allowed to operate a PWC*** |
| 16 years of age or older |
No power restrictions |
|
* These requirements apply in all areas outside the
Northwest Territories and Nunavut at this time.
** Directly supervised means accompanied and
directly supervised in the boat by someone 16 years of age or older.
*** Personal watercraft
These restrictions are made under the Vessel
Operation Restriction Regulations and are not affected nor superseded by the Competency of
Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations. The Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations and
Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations are entirely separate regulations and their
respective requirements are complementary.
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