Boaters Exam
- Thread starter eaglemaniac
- Start date
Fish Assassin
Crew Member
Flyfishingal did it online 2 nights ago. Took about 5 mins once she was signed in and $50. Only got 3 wrong. Didn't read any book or study anything at all. Printed a temp. card.
Only reason she did it was that we wondered if I was running lines and she was stearing could or would we be subject to a fine. Decided to save the headahce and take the test.Should every person that might touch the wheel during the day have a card?
Only reason she did it was that we wondered if I was running lines and she was stearing could or would we be subject to a fine. Decided to save the headahce and take the test.Should every person that might touch the wheel during the day have a card?
juandesooka
Active Member
I guess it depends on where you're boating, but off the west coast, the chance of ever needing this PCOC, to avoid fines etc, is somewhere close to nil. 10 years of boating out of sooke, yet to see Coast Guard enforce anything. Saw DFO do fishing spot check once in Renfrew. So...one PCOC aboard will likely do!
But very first day on Cowichan Lake this summer, in fact first time ever fresh water boating, we were pulled over by RCMP for full safety check. Makes me think that's where the enforcement is, catching the lake party boaters.
But very first day on Cowichan Lake this summer, in fact first time ever fresh water boating, we were pulled over by RCMP for full safety check. Makes me think that's where the enforcement is, catching the lake party boaters.
scott craven
Well-Known Member
Agreed, most boating accidents happen on lakes.
drinking, waterskiing & high powered boats
are not a good mix.
That said i was checked by RCMP on the ocean several years ago
for safety equipment and you can be sure they will now ask
for your PCO card.
drinking, waterskiing & high powered boats
are not a good mix.
That said i was checked by RCMP on the ocean several years ago
for safety equipment and you can be sure they will now ask
for your PCO card.
Apperantly yes, unless under the guidance of an instructor.
(1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall operate a pleasure craft unless the person
(a) is competent to operate the pleasure craft in accordance with section 4; and
(b) has proof of competency on board.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who
(a) is operating the pleasure craft under the supervision of an instructor as part of an accredited course;
Here is a link to the official regulations. Might be worth to make a hard copy for the boat.
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showdoc/cr/SOR-99-53/bo-ga:s_3::bo-ga:s_4/20090918?page=1
The regs say this is for a boat "operated for recreational purposes" so if your guiding I think you are exempt.
P
phnapa
Guest
Only if they plan to be in canadian waters for over 45 days!
cby
Well-Known Member
Ok so here is the joke. I got my card 7 years ago at the boat show for free. They said they would be enforcing it in the summer of 2003. Hmmmm never see anybody ask about it since. I think I might have been one of the first to get it. At least I did not have to pay that is a joke. I hope all the money is going to salmon enhancement and pay for some decent DFO officers who enforce the rules of fishing.
Funny thing 2 years ago during the air show at williows beach, I was fishing on the flats and I was coming into cattle point and got stopped by the RCMP boat. They checked my boat for everything. They were amazed I had everything and more and my boaters card. They said I was probably the only one on the ocean to have everything. They gave me the checklist they used an signed it and if I was to ever get stoppped again just show that I had been checked. So wierd. Almost 25 years fishing around here and have been checked by DFO once and RCMP once. That is ridiculous. But you just never know. Be prepared always. Know the rules and most important know how to identify your fish, that is a bigger problem. There should be a license for this.
cby
Funny thing 2 years ago during the air show at williows beach, I was fishing on the flats and I was coming into cattle point and got stopped by the RCMP boat. They checked my boat for everything. They were amazed I had everything and more and my boaters card. They said I was probably the only one on the ocean to have everything. They gave me the checklist they used an signed it and if I was to ever get stoppped again just show that I had been checked. So wierd. Almost 25 years fishing around here and have been checked by DFO once and RCMP once. That is ridiculous. But you just never know. Be prepared always. Know the rules and most important know how to identify your fish, that is a bigger problem. There should be a license for this.
cby
finaddict
Well-Known Member
I have a question. As a power squadron graduate from literally 32 years ago, I have my power squadron "proof of competency" card. Is this still valid or will CCG require a PCOC card? I have read that "proof of competency" in the form of your power squadron certification is still sufficient.
Thanks to anyone who knows for sure.
Thanks to anyone who knows for sure.
eaglemaniac
Well-Known Member
The impression I get is that if it's after 1999 your okay. I would check with the site mentioned in this FAQ sheet to be sure though.
eman https://www.boaterexam.com/canada/faq_rules-en.aspx
eman https://www.boaterexam.com/canada/faq_rules-en.aspxPrior</u> to April 1, 1999 your grandfathered in, after that you will have to obtain a PCO card.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/debs/obs/paperwork/paperwork_operatorfaq.htm#b
Will boaters who have previously taken a boating safety course be required to take another course or test?
Those who have taken a boating safety course prior to April 1, 1999 will not be required to take another course or test. A copy of a certificate or a card issued at the completion of courses taken prior to April 1, 1999 will need to be carried on board the pleasure craft.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/debs/obs/paperwork/paperwork_operatorfaq.htm#b
Will boaters who have previously taken a boating safety course be required to take another course or test?
Those who have taken a boating safety course prior to April 1, 1999 will not be required to take another course or test. A copy of a certificate or a card issued at the completion of courses taken prior to April 1, 1999 will need to be carried on board the pleasure craft.
S
Stag
Guest
I was pulled over by the RCMP in Victoria Harbour 3 weeks ago. There were a tonne of boats leaving the harbour on a Saturday and my boat was the smallest at 17 feet. I think I was singled out because I was the easiest to check. That being said, I had everything needed but my drivers license had some wear and tear. Some of the numbers had faded and weren't completely visible. I do carry a copy of the numbers in my iphone for that very reason just in case. Anyways, they gave me a warning since they said my license was not valid once damaged. The point of my post is that, in Victoria harbour, they do check and they were out there all day. After my 6 hour trip, they were still checking boats (they were checking a smaller boat again lol!). I've seen the zodiac out and about on weekends. Haven't spotted them on weekdays.
R
rico
Guest
i was out fishing the flats in late june, when all the hype was on. I was checked, luckily i had everything.All they got me on was that they said even though my fire extinguisher guage shows full, it was 3 years old and it is supposed to be checked yearly by the fire dept. they were in the zodiac.there were about 6 boats out, and they checked them all.
