Boating Safety Equipment for Cottagers

For comprehensive information, refer to www.boatingsafey.gc.ca

Whether your lake is small or large, frequented mostly by canoes or a power boater’s paradise, cottagers are responsible for ensuring that their boats have the right safety equipment on board. Ensuring that all equipment is in good working order isn't just common sense, it's the law.

Who needs to comply?

Regardless or whether you are sailing away from your dock, going for a gentle pedal boat ride at sunset, or motoring from your local marina, safety equipment requirements apply to all pleasure craft, including:

Canoes, kayaks, and rowboats
Powerboats
Personal watercraft (PWC)
Pedal boats and watercycles

Sailboats or sailboards
Airboats
Hovercraft  (Air cushion vehicles, ACV)

These minimum safety equipment requirements do not apply to beach and pool toys that measure less than 2 m in length that are not designed to be fitted with a motor. Note that operating an outboard motor-driven surfboard in any Canadian waters is strictly prohibited.

If you are renting a boat and will be operating it for recreational purposes, these requirements also apply to you.