Boating
If you drive a recreational boat powered by a
motor (including dingys and personal watercraft like Jet Skis
or Sea-Doos), you need to earn the Pleasure Craft Operator
(PCO) card and carry it with you on board at all times. This
federal regulation affects all operators of any age or any
size powerboat.
How to get carded
You earn the PCO card by scoring 75% on a test of basic boating
safety knowledge at the end of the Lifesaving Society's BOAT course. Or
you can take the BOAT Study Guide home and take the test
when you're ready. The Pleasure Craft Operator card is good for
life and must be carried at all times while operating a
powerboat.
:::
Power restrictions for youth
Under federal regulations, youth under 16 years of age may not
operate boats above certain power limits unless accompanied in the
boat and directly supervised by someone 16 years or older:
:::
Under 12 years: Maximum power 10 hp
(unaccompanied).
12-16 years: Maximum power 40 hp
(unaccompanied).
Under 16 years: May not operate personal
watercraft, accompanied or not.
Boating safety
Information about boating safety is avaialble in the Who's Drowning
section of this website.