Age-Horsepower Restrictions

Just like driving a car, operating a boat requires skill, the ability to think quickly, and the maturity to handle the responsibility. 

 

 

The Age-Horsepower Restrictions prohibit operators under the age of 16 from operating recreational vessels above specified horsepower limits:

  • Children under the age of 12 and not directly supervised by someone 16 years of age or older can operate a recreational vessel with no more than 10 hp (7.5 KW) .
  • Youth between 12 years of age and under 16 years of age and not directly supervised by someone 16 years of age or older can operate a recreational vessel with no more than 40 hp (30 KW).
  • Only persons 16 years of age or older can operate a personal watercraft (PWC) regardless of supervision.

These restrictions apply to all operators of pleasure craft in Canadian waters both domestic and foreign.

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 a personal watercraft regardless of whether they are accompanied or not.

For more details, click here for the Office of Boating Safety’s information on this subject.