If you're caught operating a motorized boat in Canada without a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), you'll face a standard fine of $250. However, in some jurisdictions and provinces, such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, fines can reach $10,000 for grave or repeated offenses. You are…
All Canadian boaters who operate a motorized pleasure craft are legally required to hold and carry proof of competency on the water. This proof will likely take the form of a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). The PCOC requirement is federal and applies nationwide, with…
Do you need to licence your boat, register it, or both? You’ll need a Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) for most recreational boats, and a formal vessel registration if you have a commercial vessel, a marine mortgage, a reserved name, or a vessel that travels internationally…
Operating your boat while impaired is a federal criminal offense in Canada, and it comes with penalties similar to drinking and driving. It's typically illegal to consume alcohol on a boat that's underway, and if you're convicted, that can mean heavy fines, criminal records, and…
In Prince Edward Island (PEI), you're legally required to be licensed to operate a personal watercraft (PWC). Jet skis fall into this category, so you'll need the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), which is the official name for the Canadian boating license. The PCOC is…
