PCOC Eligibility Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 13-year-old wishes to operate a 15 hp motorboat. Which of the following describes the LEGAL way for them to do so?
- They may do so freely since they are over 12
- They must be directly supervised by a person 16 years or older (Correct answer)
- They must hold a PCOC and can then operate alone
- It is never legal for anyone under 16 to operate a 15 hp boat
Correct answer: They must be directly supervised by a person 16 years or older
Operators aged 12–15 may run a craft over 10 hp only if directly supervised by someone who is at least 16 years old.
Question 2: How long does a foreign pleasure craft operator have before they must obtain a Canadian PCOC when staying in Canadian waters?
- 14 days
- 30 days
- 45 days (Correct answer)
- 60 days
Correct answer: 45 days
Foreign operators may use proof of competency from their home country for up to 45 days before Canadian certification may be required.
Question 3: A 15-year-old holds a valid PCOC. Which statement BEST describes their legal operating privileges?
- They may operate any pleasure craft alone because they hold the PCOC
- They may only operate alone on craft of 10 hp or less; higher power requires adult supervision (Correct answer)
- The PCOC is not valid for anyone under 16 so they have no privileges
- They may operate alone on craft up to 40 hp
Correct answer: They may only operate alone on craft of 10 hp or less; higher power requires adult supervision
Holding a PCOC does not override the age-based power restriction; a 15-year-old may still only operate alone on craft rated 10 hp or less.
Question 4: Which of the following scenarios requires a person to have a PCOC on Canadian waterways?
- Paddling a canoe on a lake
- Operating a 5 hp electric trolling motor on a fishing boat (Correct answer)
- Rowing a dinghy to shore
- Sailing a vessel with no auxiliary motor
Correct answer: Operating a 5 hp electric trolling motor on a fishing boat
Any motorized pleasure craft, including those with small electric or gas motors, requires the operator to hold proof of competency.
Question 5: What happens to a PCOC if the cardholder moves to a different Canadian province?
- They must apply for a new provincial card
- The card remains fully valid across all Canadian provinces and territories (Correct answer)
- They must register the address change with Transport Canada
- The card is only valid in the province where it was issued
Correct answer: The card remains fully valid across all Canadian provinces and territories
The PCOC is a federal Transport Canada credential that is valid throughout all of Canada regardless of province of residence.
Question 6: An operator lost their original PCOC card. What should they do to continue operating legally?
- They must retake the entire boating safety course and exam
- Contact the course provider who issued the card to obtain a replacement (Correct answer)
- Download a temporary permit from Transport Canada's website
- They may operate without it since they passed the exam
Correct answer: Contact the course provider who issued the card to obtain a replacement
Lost or damaged PCOC cards can be replaced by contacting the original accredited course provider who issued the certification.
Question 7: Which of the following is an approved method of demonstrating boating competency under Transport Canada regulations?
- Showing a valid fishing license
- Passing a Transport Canada–accredited boating safety course (Correct answer)
- Holding a marine radio operator permit
- Presenting a commercial shipping credential
Correct answer: Passing a Transport Canada–accredited boating safety course
Operators must pass a boating safety course approved by Transport Canada to receive a valid PCOC.
PCOC Eligibility Requirements 3
A 13-year-old wishes to operate a 15 hp motorboat.
Which of the following describes the LEGAL way for them to do so?