Those who want to enjoy our rivers and lakes by boat will now be subject to stricter guidelines when applying for their Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
New boating exam standards became effective on April 15 as a result of Transport Canada’s decision to move towards standardized testing.
The new regulations are supported by BOATsmart! Canada, one supplier of boating licences.
“It is our hope that by providing Canadian boaters with increased education and training before they head out on the water, we can significantly decrease the number and severity of boating-related incidents,” said BOATsmart! Canada President Cameron Taylor.
Each year more than 100 boating fatalities occur, Bourne said, with another 6,000 suffering from non-fatal injuries.
“Most of these are preventable and this move will help better prepare boaters to enjoy Canada’s waterways,” he said.
Under new regulations, the test has gone from 36 to 50 standardized questions, based on the latest information on prevention practices and critical safety knowledge.
The test is available online, at www.boatsmartexam.com.
Those who already have their BOATsmart! license are not affected by the new regulations.