Boaters Exam

[Time]

Your local St. John Ambulance office is probably doing exams (by appointment). At least mine here in Duncan is.
Fee is 25.00. Cheaper than the online or other places and the money goes to a good cause.

They mark it, and if you fail (which is unlikely) you need to wait 24 hours to rewrite it.

This thread prompted me to make an appointment and will be doing it next week, so above info is based on a conversation I just had with them.

The study material and list of offices is here: www.sja.ca/bc

 

[Duffer]

Stupid question here maybe but if you already have your MED course do you still need to get this Boat Card? I pd $200.00 to take this all day MED course for what?

 

[Duffer]

Stupid question here maybe but if you already have your MED course do you still need to get this Boat Card? I pd $200.00 to take this all day MED course for what?

 

[Olde School]

Here's another way to get the certification.
Did mine through CYA (Canadian Yachting Association) about 8 years ago.
What appealed to me, as opposed to Power Squadron (which my parents did), was the entire course consisted of 2 weekend days on MY BOAT.
The instructor met me at the launch ramp and started teaching.
We spent a lot of time trailering/launching, as well as docking and anchoring.
From what I see out there these are the key areas that cause problems.
There was a lot of theory also.
Charting was minimal but enough so that I can read a chart's details and understand them.
I talked a buddy into joining me and we split the cost.
A bit more expensive that Power Squadron but more relevant to my needs.
Don't know if it is still offered, but it was as of 3 years ago when my wife took it also.
Smiley.

 

[Olde School]

Here's another way to get the certification.
Did mine through CYA (Canadian Yachting Association) about 8 years ago.
What appealed to me, as opposed to Power Squadron (which my parents did), was the entire course consisted of 2 weekend days on MY BOAT.
The instructor met me at the launch ramp and started teaching.
We spent a lot of time trailering/launching, as well as docking and anchoring.
From what I see out there these are the key areas that cause problems.
There was a lot of theory also.
Charting was minimal but enough so that I can read a chart's details and understand them.
I talked a buddy into joining me and we split the cost.
A bit more expensive that Power Squadron but more relevant to my needs.
Don't know if it is still offered, but it was as of 3 years ago when my wife took it also.
Smiley.

 

[juandesooka]

Thanks for the additional links and tips, that's great.

Smiley: that is excellent suggestion...sounds like money very well spent for a new boater! I took a boating course at Royal Roads, that ended with PCOC test. More or less went over the book, but with excellent and interesting boating stories to make the medicine go down. It was informative and entertaining. Though what you suggest is the next level up from there...very practical and helpful I'm sure (thinking of the gong show of learning to trailer, first time starting the "new to me" boat, etc....man o man, $100 seems cheap looking back... )

 

[juandesooka]

Thanks for the additional links and tips, that's great.

Smiley: that is excellent suggestion...sounds like money very well spent for a new boater! I took a boating course at Royal Roads, that ended with PCOC test. More or less went over the book, but with excellent and interesting boating stories to make the medicine go down. It was informative and entertaining. Though what you suggest is the next level up from there...very practical and helpful I'm sure (thinking of the gong show of learning to trailer, first time starting the "new to me" boat, etc....man o man, $100 seems cheap looking back... )

 

[El Pescador]

I did mine through Canadian Red Cross about 3 years ago. They used to sell the "On Board" training CD ROM at Canadian Tire, then the exams were done by appointment, usually once or twice a week during the winter at Canadian Tire (at least in Nanaimo).

I used to participate in the CMAC conferernces, and I recall that when they spoke in Vancouver a few years ago about making mandatory for pleasure boat operators to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, the guys from Coast Guard and Transport Canada were quite adamant about on line exams not being allowed. I guess they must have had a change of heart since then, possibly due to strong lobbying by special interest groups. One of the things I found about the CMAC conferences is that, if there is enough pressure on them, they usually budge and end accepting (almost) whatever is presented to them (maybe not overnight, but on time they usually do).

 

[El Pescador]

I did mine through Canadian Red Cross about 3 years ago. They used to sell the "On Board" training CD ROM at Canadian Tire, then the exams were done by appointment, usually once or twice a week during the winter at Canadian Tire (at least in Nanaimo).

I used to participate in the CMAC conferernces, and I recall that when they spoke in Vancouver a few years ago about making mandatory for pleasure boat operators to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, the guys from Coast Guard and Transport Canada were quite adamant about on line exams not being allowed. I guess they must have had a change of heart since then, possibly due to strong lobbying by special interest groups. One of the things I found about the CMAC conferences is that, if there is enough pressure on them, they usually budge and end accepting (almost) whatever is presented to them (maybe not overnight, but on time they usually do).

 

[marula]

quote:Originally posted by CC Charters

Stupid question here maybe but if you already have your MED course do you still need to get this Boat Card? I pd $200.00 to take this all day MED course for what?

Should be ok, is it a med a-4?

http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/debs/obs/courses/pcoc/list-marine-safety-certif.htm

any of the courses in the attached link should get you a pco card. A power squadran course or similiar taken prior to April 1, 1999 is also considered "proof of compency" so you just need proof you took the course.

 

[marula]

quote:Originally posted by CC Charters

Stupid question here maybe but if you already have your MED course do you still need to get this Boat Card? I pd $200.00 to take this all day MED course for what?

Should be ok, is it a med a-4?

http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/debs/obs/courses/pcoc/list-marine-safety-certif.htm

any of the courses in the attached link should get you a pco card. A power squadran course or similiar taken prior to April 1, 1999 is also considered "proof of compency" so you just need proof you took the course.

 

[Salmon Smoker]

I got my operaters card a couple of years ago online. It doesn't take much to pass, just some common sense and fifty bucks.
I've been boating for 40 years, 25 years ago I took a coastal navigation course and also learned to chart the weather. I spent 5 months sailing in the south pacific and I still plan on taking the power squadron course.
I just figure that extra knowledge is never a bad thing.

 

[Salmon Smoker]

I got my operaters card a couple of years ago online. It doesn't take much to pass, just some common sense and fifty bucks.
I've been boating for 40 years, 25 years ago I took a coastal navigation course and also learned to chart the weather. I spent 5 months sailing in the south pacific and I still plan on taking the power squadron course.
I just figure that extra knowledge is never a bad thing.

 

[eaglemaniac]

Hey Thanks for the nod Big Bob.I try my best to keep my fellow forum members up to date on info that could contribute to there fishing enjoyment. Myself and my neighbour up the street became each others supervisors for the test. It worked out fine. I thought the fifty bucks was a little steep, but for some it's a question of convenience. eman

 

[eaglemaniac]

Hey Thanks for the nod Big Bob.I try my best to keep my fellow forum members up to date on info that could contribute to there fishing enjoyment. Myself and my neighbour up the street became each others supervisors for the test. It worked out fine. I thought the fifty bucks was a little steep, but for some it's a question of convenience. eman

 

[richmake]

Just curious and don't mean to stir the pot but do foreign registered vessels that are operated in Canada have to have a certified person behind the wheel.
I'm assuming yes but what does this do to the people bringing boats across the line to fish during the summer?
Do they all need a operators cards?


www.coastwidesportsfishing.com

http://ca.video.yahoo.com/watch/4726988?fr=yvmtf

 

[scott craven]

I doubt it, because rental's and non residents are exempt from
needing the PCO card.
Does it make sense ? nope....

 

[juandesooka]

For anyone interested....there is a PCOC class in Sooke this weekend, offered via Edward Milne Community Education. $110, includes a book and the exam.

Lesley Head is the teacher...same I took it with at Royal Roads years ago. Was quite informative for a new boater.

http://www.emcsprograms.ca/EMCS_fall09_web.pdf

 

[scott craven]

www.freecourse.ca 25 bucks !
if you just want the card, without the hassle

 

[bigragu]

I took the test at the boat show. They had it set up so it was free to take and only paid if you passed. I think it was 50$ but very convenient. No manual or course, just multiple choice questions a 12 year old could probably guess. Really hokey system if you ask me.