The Pleasure Craft Operator Card is a document used in Canada as proof of competency to operate a recreational boat with a motor. It is required for any craft fitted with a motor, even if the motor is not in use, for example an auxiliary motor on a sailboat.
Do I need a license to sail in Canada?
You must have a Canadian pleasure craft licence to operate a pleasure craft powered by an engine of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more in Canada legally. This includes personal watercraft and sailboats with an engine. You are exempt from this requirement if your pleasure craft is registered.
Can you sail into Canadian waters?
You may seek clearance at a direct reporting site for marine reporting site. You must notify the CBSA at least 72 hours before you arrive in Canadian waters in writing, including: the details of your arrival. a request for CBSA clearance.
Do you need a passport to boat in Canada?
Citizens and permanent residents of the United States
Citizens of the United States need a valid U.S. passport to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. Citizens of the United States coming to Canada by car, bus, train or boat need to carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.
What do I need in my boat in Canada?
At a bare minimum, you should always have with you:
- Canadian-approved flotation device or lifejacket of appropriate size for each passenger on board.
- Buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres in length.
- Watertight flashlight OR Canadian approved flares – Type A,B or C.
- Sound-signaling device.
How much is a boat license in Canada?
$49.95 CAD
The online course is $49.95 CAD and may be completed using a desktop computer, laptop, or mobile device. Upon completion, you’ll take the Transport Canada Boating Safety Test (TCBS Test). You have two attempts to pass the test. If you fail your first attempt, you must wait 24 hours before your second attempt.
How much does a Canadian boating license cost?
$49.95
Take the Canadian boater safety course and get your boating license for $49.95.
Do you need a passport to sail in international waters?
Longer cruises, like grand voyages, that sail round trip from the U.S. but visit countries outside North and Central America, will also require a passport. Any cruises where you need to fly to or from a foreign country, including Canada, will necessitate a passport.
How long can a U.S. boat stay in Canada?
The maximum vessel retention period in Canada without the payment of duty or taxes is normally 12 months for storage and 18 months for repair. Extensions may be possible.
How far offshore is international waters in Canada?
Canada has exercised jurisdiction over the territorial sea on its east and west coasts out to 12 nautical miles since 1970, first under the Territorial Sea and Fishing Zones Act and now under the Oceans Act.
Can you use a US boating license in Canada?
Reciprocity. All provinces, territories, and states that have mandatory boater education requirements will accept the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Likewise, Canada will accept boating education cards that are issued by states that meet NASBLA requirements as proof of competency. (This is known as “reciprocity.”
Can you drink beer on a boat in Canada?
As long as you won’t be operating the boat at some point, boat passengers are legally able to consume alcohol while on a boat in Canada; that being said, they can legally drink as long as the boat is equipped with the following: Permanent cooking facilities. Permanent sleeping facilities.
Can police search your boat in Canada?
Enforcement officers and inspectors may inspect a pleasure craft to ensure that it meets Transport Canada’s regulations and requirements. An enforcement officer can be any of the following: A member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A member of any harbour or river police force.
Is boat insurance mandatory in Canada?
If your boat is financed, docked at a local marina or stored in your private boathouse, insurance can protect your liability risks. While boat insurance is not mandatory it can cover damage, liability and other unforeseen events.
Is boat registration free in Canada?
Boat Licences & Registrations. Requirements for a Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) are listed in the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act and is summarized in Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety. A PCL from the province you license your boat in, provides your boat with a licence number (at no cost).
What size boat requires a captains license in Canada?
You must have a Canadian pleasure craft licence to operate a pleasure craft powered by an engine of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more in Canada legally. This includes personal watercraft and sailboats with an engine.
How hard is the Canadian boating license test?
So it isn’t that hard, since you’ll already know everything! The boating safety exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions so all of the answers are right there for you. You’ll need at least 75% (38 out of 50) to pass, but don’t stress because the Boating Safety Test is open book!
How long does the Canada boating license course take?
about 3 to 5 hours
How long does it take to get a boating license in Ontario? The boating safety course takes about 3 to 5 hours to complete. It therefore takes only a few hours to obtain your temporary Pleasure Craft Operator Card and begin boating legally in Ontario.
Is there a boat tax in Canada?
In general, the luxury tax on subject vessels will apply to sales or importations of subject vessels priced or valued above the $250,000 price threshold. However, the luxury tax could also apply if a person leases out, uses or has an improvement made to a subject vessel priced or valued above the price threshold.
How do I get a Canadian boating license?
How It Works
- Take The Boating Course Online. Complete the CanadaBoatSafety.com online course.
- Pass The Official Test. Take the Transport Canada Boating Safety Test.
- Print your Temporary Card. Your temporary PCOC can be downloaded and your permanent card will be sent to you via mail.
How long does a Canadian boating license last?
A Pleasure Craft Licence that was issued or updated after 2010 is valid for 10 years. At the end of that period, you must renew your licence. If you change your name, address, or particulars of the pleasure craft after you obtain a Pleasure Craft Licence, you must update your licence.