Required safety equipment for power boats and sailboats over 12 m and up to 24 m Boat Safety Equipment Requirements

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.