Safety Equipment on Board

A properly sized personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket must be available on board for each person.

However, the Lifesaving Society recommends wearing a PFD at all times while on the water. A fall overboard, capsizing, medical emergency or cold-water immersion can happen suddenly and make it difficult—or even impossible—to put on a PFD once in the water.

The PFD or lifejacket must be:

  The appropriate size;
  In good condition;
  Properly fitted when worn;
  Compliant with applicable Canadian requirements.

Mandatory: one properly sized PFD or lifejacket for each person on board.

A buoyant heaving line can be used to assist a person who has fallen overboard while maintaining a safe distance.

Depending on the type and length of the watercraft, a buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres long may be required. For certain categories of larger watercraft, a lifebuoy attached to a buoyant line may also be required.

The equipment should remain easily accessible and ready for immediate use.

Mandatory for several categories of watercraft; requirements vary depending on the watercraft.

A reboarding device allows a person in the water to get back onto the watercraft without assistance.

This may include a stern ladder or swim ladder suited to the watercraft.

A reboarding device is required unless the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard the watercraft is no more than 0.5 metres.

The device should be usable by a person while in the water.

Mandatory when the vertical height required to reboard exceeds 0.5 metres.

For many small watercraft, regulations require either a manual propelling device or anchoring equipment.

Depending on the category of watercraft, the equipment may include an anchor with a cable, rope, chain or combination of these of a specified minimum length.

For applicable watercraft up to 9 metres long, a minimum length of 15 metres generally applies. Requirements increase for certain larger watercraft.

An anchor can help keep a watercraft in place in the event of mechanical failure and prevent it from drifting toward an obstacle or hazardous area.

Mandatory depending on the type and length of the watercraft; for certain small watercraft, a manual propelling device may replace the anchor.

Water entering a watercraft can quickly affect its stability.

Depending on the watercraft, a bailer, manual bilge pump or bilge-pumping system may be required to remove accumulated water.

When a manual pump is used, its hose must be long enough to discharge water overboard.

The equipment must be functional and easily accessible.

Mandatory depending on the type and length of the watercraft, subject to certain exceptions.

A whistle, horn or other sound-signalling device or appliance can be used to signal your presence, intentions or an emergency.

The type of equipment required depends in part on the length of the watercraft.

The device must be functional and readily accessible for immediate use.

Mandatory; specific equipment requirements vary depending on the length of the watercraft.

Navigation lights allow others on the water to see a watercraft and determine its position, direction and type.

Requirements vary depending on the watercraft and operating conditions.

The required lights must be used when operating between sunset and sunrise or during periods of reduced visibility.

Before an outing that may extend into the evening, always check that the navigation lights are working properly.

Mandatory in situations specified under the Collision Regulations.

A magnetic compass helps maintain a course and navigate when visual references are limited.

Requirements vary depending on the type of watercraft and navigation conditions. Certain exceptions apply, including when a watercraft is operating within sight of navigation marks.

Even when it is not required, a compass can be a useful navigation tool, particularly on large bodies of water.

Mandatory in certain situations.

A radar reflector increases the ability of other vessels equipped with radar to detect a watercraft.

It can be particularly useful in reduced visibility or in areas frequented by larger vessels.

Regulations require its use when practicable, subject to applicable exceptions.

Mandatory in certain situations, depending on applicable regulatory requirements.

The presence and type of fire extinguisher required depend on the length and configuration of the watercraft.

For example, for certain sailboats and powerboats up to 6 metres long, a 5BC fire extinguisher is required when the watercraft has equipment such as an inboard engine, a fixed fuel tank or certain fuel-burning appliances.

Requirements differ for larger watercraft and may include fire extinguishers with different ratings or multiple firefighting devices.

Fire extinguishers must remain:

  Easily accessible;
  In good condition;
  Appropriate for the requirements applicable to the watercraft.

Mandatory depending on the length, propulsion system and equipment of the watercraft.

Requirements for visual distress signals vary considerably depending on the type and length of the watercraft.

Depending on the situation, required equipment may include:

  A watertight flashlight;
  Pyrotechnic distress signals;
  An electronic visual distress signal device accompanied by a smoke signal.

The number of pyrotechnic signals required varies by watercraft category. It is therefore not accurate to state that all watercraft must carry six signals.

Pyrotechnic distress signals also have a limited validity period, and their date of manufacture should be checked.

Mandatory depending on the type and length of the watercraft and its operating conditions.