Boat
Operator Accredited Training ™
The
Program
Everyone who operates a pleasure craft requires a Coast Guard-approved
operator card. Theoperator card is designed to decrease the
number of injuries and fatalities that occur on pleasure crafts every
year. Safety, risk management skills, and the rules of operating
pleasure crafts on the water will all be addressed in the B. O. A. T.®
course. The Lifesaving Society’s B. O. A. T.® course provides
the knowledge that is required to obtain operator cards. Flexibility
is a key factor in the development of this program. As such, course
delivery sites are established around Saskatchewan, and proctors
are available to conduct exams on demand for larger groups.
Regulations
The federal government introduced new regulations in April of 1999,
which affected all recreational boaters with all pleasure craft. The
following individuals now require a pleasure craft operators (PCO) card.
Age
|
Craft
|
Need
PCO Card |
Born
after April 1, 1983
|
Any
powered boat
|
Now |
Any
age
|
Any
powered boat under 4m
|
Now |
| Any
age |
Any
powered boat |
September
2009 |
The
new regulations also include age and horsepower restrictions for youth,
proof of competency requirements for those who wish to operate powered
boats, and new safety equipment requirements.
Until April 1, 1999, children of any age could operate a powerboat regardless
of size or horsepower. New regulations matching boat power with capability
and maturity are now in effect. Youth under 16 years may not operate
boats above certain power limits unless accompanied in the boat and
directly supervised by someone 16 years of age or older.
Age
|
Maximum
Power Restriction
|
Under
12 |
10
hp unaccompanied |
12-16
years |
40
hp unaccompanied |
Nobody
under 16 years may operate a personal watercraft (e.g., Sea-Doos, Wave
Runners, Jet Skiis) accompanied or not.
How
to Get Carded
The Canadian Coast Guard PCO card is earned by scoring 75% on a test
of basic boating safety knowledge. This lifetime certification must
be carried onboard by operators of all pleasure craft powered by a motor.Take
the BOAT course, or take the BOAT Study Guide home and take the test
when you're ready.
BOAT
Course Options
Classroom
education
The course consists of 8 hours of classroom education. No water is required.
Pleasure Craft Operator certification cards are issued to those who
pass the written examination (75%).
Want to
do it yourself?
If you're an experienced boater, you may study on your own and take
the test when you're ready. The BOAT Study Guide will bring you up to
speed.
The BOAT Study
Guide contains all the "must knows" Coast Guard requires to
pass the test for your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. The guide is easy
to read, with full color charts, diagrams and photos for easy reference.
You can purchase the guide directly from the Society, or from a participating
affiliate member of the Society.
How
to Become a BOAT Instructor
The prerequisite for becoming a B.O.A.T. instructor is a Pleasure Craft
Operator Card (preferably the B.O.A.T. award) and a current Lifesaving
Instructor award. Individuals who do not hold a current Lifesaving Instructor
award can apply to the Lifesaving Society for exemption status.
|
