Safety equipment required based on the size of your boat Marine Safety Equipment requirements - Transport Canada

 

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Boating Safety Equipment

One sound-signaling device

One watertight flashlight 

or

Three pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than one of which is a smoke signal

One magnetic compass

Note: A magnetic compass is not required if the pleasure craft is 8 m (26’3”) or less and is operated within sight of seamarks (navigation marks).

Navigation lights

That meet the requirements set out in the Collision Regulations, if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset, before sunrise, or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.).

If one person on board a personal watercraft is not wearing a lifejacket or a PFD of an appropriate size, you must add the following equipment:

One approved Personal Flotation Device

of appropriate size for each person on board

Note: A personal flotation device or lifejacket kept on board a human-powered pleasure craft, operated in whitewater must be inherently buoyant.

One buoyant heaving line

at least 15m (49’3”) long

One reboarding device

Note: A reboarding device is only required if reboarding means climbing a vertical height of more than 0.5 m (1’8”) from the water.

A manual propelling device

or

An anchor

and at least 15 m (49’3”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination

One bailer or manual bilge pump or bilge-pumping equipment 

Note: A bailer or manual bilge pump is not required for a pleasure craft that will not hold enough water to make it capsize, or a pleasure craft that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible.

One radar reflector 

is required under certain conditions.

A fire extinguisher (5 BC)

 

Powerboats and Sailboats up to 6 m (19'8") Boating Safety Equipment 

One Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or Lifejacket

of appropriate size for each person on board

A Buoyant heaving line

at least than 15 m (49’3”) long

A reboarding device

Note: Only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the pleasure craft from the water is over 0.5 m (1’8”).

If the boat is equipped with a motor:

Powerboats and Sailboats over 6 m and up to 9 m (19'8''- 29'6'') Boating Safety Equipment

One Personal Flotation Device or Lifejacket

of appropriate size for each person on board

One buoyant heaving line

at least than 15 m (49’3”) long

or

One lifebuoy

attached to a buoyant line at least 15 m (49’3”) long

One reboarding device

Note: A reboarding device is only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the pleasure craft from the water is over 0.5 m (1’8”).

One watertight flashlight

Six pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than two of which are smoke signals

or

At least three pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than one of which is a smoke signal,

if there is also a means of two way electronic communications on board (i.e., cell phones, satellite phones, VHF, 406 MHz personal locater beacons, or EPIRB).

Note: Flares are not required for a pleasure craft that:

• Is operating on a river, canal or lake in which it can never be more than one (1) nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore; or
• Has no sleeping quarters and is engaged in an official competition or in final preparation for an official competition.

One manual propelling device

or

One anchor

and at least 15 m (49’3”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination

One bailer or one manual bilge pump

Note: A bailer or manual water pump is not required for a pleasure craft that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or a pleasure craft that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible.

One sound-signalling device or appliance

that meets the requirements set out in the Collision Regulations

Navigation lights

that meets the requirements set out in the Collision Regulations

Note:

1. Navigation lights are only required if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset, before sunrise, or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.).
2. Sailing vessels less than 7 m in length can meet this requirement with a watertight flashlight 

One magnetic compass

Note: A magnetic compass is not required if the pleasure craft is 8 m (26’3”) or less and is operated within sight of sea marks (navigation marks).

One fire extinguisher (5BC)

if the pleasure craft is equipped with a motor

and

One 5BC fire extinguisher

if the pleasure craft is equipped with a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigeration appliance

One radar reflector 

is required under certain conditions

 

Powerboats and Sailboats over 9 m and up to 12 m (29'6"- 39'4") Boating Safety Equipment

One Personal Flotation Device (PFD) or Lifejacket

of appropriate size for each person on board

One  buoyant heaving line

at least than 15 m (49’3”) long

One lifebuoy 

attached to a buoyant line at least 15 m (49’3”) long

One reboarding device

Note: A reboarding device is only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the pleasure craft from the water is over 0.5 m (1’8”). 

One watertight flashlight

Twelve pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than six of which are smoke signals.

or

At least six pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than three of which are smoke signals,

if there is also a means of two way electronic communications on board (i.e., cell phones, satellite phones, VHF, 406 MHz personal locater beacons, or EPIRB).

Note: Flares are not required for a pleasure craft that:

• Is operating on a river, canal or lake in which it can never be more than one (1) nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore; or

• Has no sleeping quarters and is engaged in an official competition or in final preparation for an official competition.

One anchor

and at least 30 m (98’5”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination

One manual bilge pump or bilge-pumping arrangements

Note: A bailer or manual bilge pump is not required for a pleasure craft that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or a pleasure craft that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible.

One sound-signalling appliance or a sound-signalling device 

that meets the requirements set out in the Collision Regulations 

Navigation lights

that meet the requirements set out in the Collision Regulations

One magnetic compass

One 10BC fire extinguisher

if the pleasure craft is equipped with motor

and

One 10BC fire extinguisher

if the pleasure craft is equipped with a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigeration appliance 

One radar reflector 

is required under certain conditions.

 

Powerboats and Sailboats over 12 m and up to 24 m (39'4"- 78'9") Boating Safety Equipment

One personal flotation device or lifejacket

of appropriate size for each person on board

One buoyant heaving line

at least than 15 m (49’3”) long

One lifebuoy

equipped with a self-igniting light or attached to a buoyant line at least 15 m (49’3”) long

One reboarding device

Note: A reboarding device is only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the pleasure craft from the water is over 0.5 m (1’8”). 

One watertight flashlight

Twelve pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than six of which are smoke signals.

or

At least six pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than three of which are smoke signals,

if there is also a means of two way electronic communications on board (i.e., cell phones, satellite phones, VHF, 406 MHz personal locater beacons, or EPIRB).

Note: Flares are not required for a pleasure craft that:

• Is operating on a river, canal or lake in which it can never be more than one (1) nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore; or

• Has no sleeping quarters and is engaged in an official competition or in final preparation for an official competition.

One anchor

and at least 50 m (164’1”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination

Bilge-pumping arrangements

Sound-signalling appliances 

that meets the requirements set out in the Collision Regulations

Note: Pleasure craft over 20 m (65’7”) in length require a whistle (horn), and a fitted bell.

Navigation lights

 

that meet the requirements set out in the Collision Regulations

One magnetic compass

that meets the requirements of the Navigation Safety Regulations

• See Part 2 of the Regulations if your pleasure craft was built before July 1, 2002, or

• See Part 3 of the Regulations if your pleasure craft was built on or after July 1, 2002

One 10BC fire extinguisher at all of the following locations:

• at each access to any space where a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance is fitted;

• at the entrance to any accommodation space; and

• at the entrance to the machinery space.

One axe

Two buckets

Note: Transport Canada recommends that each bucket have a capacity of at least 10 litres.

One radar reflector 

is required under certain conditions.

 

Powerboats and Sailboats over 24 m (78'9") Boating Safety Equipment

One personal flotation device or lifejacket

of appropriate size for each person on board

One buoyant heaving line

at least than 30 m (98’5”) long

Two SOLAS lifebuoy, of which:

• one is attached to a buoyant line at least 30 m (98 ’5”) long; and

• one is equipped with a self-igniting light

Lifting harness with appropriate rigging

One reboarding device

Note: A reboarding device is only required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the pleasure craft from the water is over 0.5 m (1’8”).

One watertight flashlight

Twelve pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than six of which are smoke signals.

or

At least six pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than three of which are smoke signals,

if there is also a means of two way electronic communications on board (i.e., cell phones, satellite phones, VHF, 406 MHz personal locater beacons, or EPIRB).

Note: Flares are not required for a pleasure craft that:

• Is operating on a river, canal or lake in which it can never be more than one (1) nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore; or

• Has no sleeping quarters and is engaged in an official competition or in final preparation for an official competition.

One anchor

and at least 50 m (164’1”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination

Bilge-pumping arrangements

Sound-signalling appliances 

that meets the requirements set out in the Collision Regulations

Note: Pleasure craft over 20 m (65’7”) in length require a whistle (horn), and a fitted bell.

Navigation lights

that meet the requirements set out in the Collision Regulations

One magnetic compass

that meets the requirements set out in the Navigation Safety Regulations

• See Part 2 of the Regulations if your pleasure craft was built before July 1, 2002, or

• See Part 3 of the Regulations if your pleasure craft was built on or after July 1, 2002

One 10BC fire extinguisher at all of the following locations:

• at each access to any space where a fuel-burning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance is fitted;

• at the entrance to any accommodation space; and

• at the entrance to the machinery space.

One power-driven fire pump

located outside the machinery space, with one fire hose and nozzle that can direct water into any part of the boat

Two axes

Four buckets

Note: Transport Canada recommends that each bucket have a capacity of at least 10 litres.

One radar reflector 

is required under certain conditions

 

Canoes, Kayaks, Rowboats and Rowing shells Boating Safety Equipment

Paddleboards, paddleboats, watercycles, Sealed-hull and sit-on-top kayaks Boating Safety Equipment

Sailboards and Kiteboards Boating Safety Equipment

These rules apply to: Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Northwest Territories.