Boating Safety (89)

A woman and two children wearing life jackets while on a boat.

How Do Life Jackets Work and Why Should You Wear One?

Life jackets work by providing buoyancy, which helps keep a person afloat in the water. They use foam or inflatable chambers to displace water and create an upward force that keeps your head above the surface, even if you are tired, injured, or unable to…

Pug dog in a life jacket on a boat, boating with a dog concept.

Boating With a Dog: Safety Tips and Life Jacket Guide

Boating with a dog (safely) requires proper safety preparation, including using a well-fitted life jacket for your pup, providing shade and fresh water, and planning for emergencies like falls overboard or heatstroke. Dogs can face serious risks on boats, so understanding how to prevent accidents…

Man in life jacket holds a PCOC, Ontario boating license concept.

Does the Ontario Boating License Expire?

No, your Ontario boating license, officially known as the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), does not expire. Once you get it, it is valid for life across all of Canada. Boating is a popular activity in Ontario and offers nearly endless opportunities for adventure on…

Illustration of Canadian waterway buoys showing isolated danger buoys.

How to Navigate Canadian Waterway Buoys

Canadian waterway buoys are floating navigation markers maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard or local authorities. They help guide boaters, mark safe channels, and warn of hazards. Buoys are grouped into different types—lateral, cardinal, special, and hazard—and can be identified by their colors (red, green,…

Illustration of the Canadian flag, how to get a boating license in Toronto concept.

How to Get a Boating License in Toronto

If you want to boat in Toronto, you're legally required to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), which you may also know as a "boating license." To get the PCOC, you'll need to complete a Transport Canada–approved boater safety education course through an accredited…